This Petition is an initiative of the Global Network of Women Peace Builders (GNWP), New York and Miriam College-Center for Peace Education (CPE), Philippines 

 A genuine and lasting peace can only be achieved if root causes of conflict and violence —poverty, injustice, gender inequality and social exclusion are eliminated.

This is a statement on the continued violence in Marawi City, Philippines as a result of terrorist attacks and the declaration of Martial Law; as well as the continued Extra Judicial Killings and human rights violations Please sign if you agree with the statement. We also encourage you to write to Philippine government officials to demand the rule of law and respect for human rights; as well as make donations to the non-profit organizations that are working hard to mitigate the situation.

 We, the undersigned women’s organizations, civil society groups, and concerned individuals from the Philippines and around the world, express our solidarity with the people of Marawi, in light of the terror attacks in the city.

On May 23, 2017, the Maute group, a local terrorist group that pledged allegiance to ISIS engaged in heavy and sporadic firefight with the Philippine military in Marawi city in Mindanao.  The Philippine Government responded by declaring Martial Law and undertaking subsequent airstrikes. Persistent firefight between government forces and the Maute group has caused displacement of 268,207 people,[1] and the death of 951, including 749 rebels, 155 soldiers and government forces and 47 civilians. [2] To date, there are 295 missing individuals.[3]

Women bear the brunt of war

We condemn the sexual violence committed against women in Marawi. A number of female hostages were raped and forced to marry members of the Maute group.[4] The threat of rape and harassment, as well as the lack of privacy in crowded shelters create widespread fear and increases vulnerabilities among women.

 Displaced women, especially those who are pregnant or have just given birth also face increased reproductive health risks. UNFPA reports that out of the hundreds of thousands displaced, about  10,000 are pregnant, and 6,700 are lactating mothers.[5] These women require prenatal and post-partum health care, that are often unavailable in evacuation sites.

Despite the difficulties they face, it is the women who are bringing their families and communities together. They mobilize to seek support and distribute aid. They cook and serve meals, they counsel and provide emotional support to other victims. They act as translators for aid workers who do not speak the local language. They reach out to the warring parties to stop the violence.

War on drugs = war on the poor

Since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in July 2016, 13,414[6] have been killed as a result of his administration’s war on drugs. 21 of those are below 18 years old and eight of them are below 10 years old. Nearly all are people living in abject poverty. However, no big drug lords including those who have ties with high level government officials have been arrested. National and international human rights organizations, the United Nations, European Union, some members of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations, and individual world leaders are some of those who have expressed deep concern about the spate of killings.

 We strongly recommend a multi-sectoral independent committee composed of representatives from government, the Philippine National Police, civil society, church, and local government units to facilitate a dialogue and action to find nonviolent and humane ways to address the drug problem such as educating the youth on the ill effects of illegal drugs and improving rehabilitation programs.

Towards a broader and holistic approach to peace and security

We call on the Philippine government to go beyond militaristic and state-centric response to terrorism. Genuine and lasting peace can only be achieved if root causes of conflict and violence—poverty, injustice, gender inequality, and social exclusion are eliminated.

We would like to remind the Philippine Government of its commitment to international human rights and humanitarian laws. We also urge the government to honor its obligations under the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and 1820 on Women, and Peace and Security; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and address the needs and concerns of the people in Marawi including the special needs of women and girls.

We urge the Philippine Armed Forces and Philippine National Police to strictly observe international human rights and humanitarian laws.

We call for heightened vigilance not only among women’s and peace groups, but among all  members of civil society, to ensure that, even in the height of crisis, the rights of the Filipino people to life and dignity, regardless of sex, culture, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and faith tradition, remain protected.

We encourage women’s rights, human rights, peace activists around the world, UN officials, the diplomatic community and other international actors to:

●     Express your opposition to Martial Law and the airstrikes; and the Extra Judicial Killings through the media, social media and in various public discussions;

●      Send letters to President Rodrigo Duterte through the Presidential Action Center at pace_op@malacanang.gov.ph/ Telefax +632 7368621 calling on him to lift Martial Law, stop Extra Judicial Killings and address the root causes of the conflict from a position of knowledge and strength in order to demonstrate his leadership.

●      Send letters to the Philippine Armed Forces through paoafp@gmail.com/ Telefax +632 911-6439 demanding that they respect international human rights and humanitarian laws as they perform their duties as professional military officers.

●      Send letters to the Philippine National Police at pnp.pio@gmail.com, demanding that they respect international human rights and humanitarian laws as they perform their duties as professional police forces and guardians of peace and order.

●      Send letters to President Duterte at pace_op@malacanang.gov.ph/ Telefax +632 7368621 and the Department of Justice at dojac@doj.gov.ph and call for the release  of  Senator Leila De Lima, who is jailed on politically motivated charges, and cease threats against her and other human rights defenders who have been critical of the government’s war on drugs.

●      Make a donation to any or all of the following:

o       Justice Advocates of Miriam Humanitarian Fund. Your support will be used to pay for medical and psycho-social counseling services, supplies, food, water as well hygiene packs especially for women:

Account Name: Miriam College Foundation, Inc.

Account No: CA 3084 0375 31

Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands

Bank Address: Loyola Katipunan Branch

Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Attention to: Center for Peace Education

o       Baigani, a feminist solidarity group against Extra Judicial Killings (EJK) that helps provide psychosocial and financial support for widows and orphans of EJK so they can overcome trauma, fears, stigmatization and realize their strengths and capacities. The financial support is for emergency health needs and to keep children in school. The Baigani Pay Pal account is: https://www.paypal.me/Baigani

o       Art Relief Mobile Kitchen (ARMK) - ARMK cooks and serves meals to the Marawi siege evacuees. It has served 21,000 meals to evacuees since May 2017. Of this total no of meals served, 2095 meals were cooked and distributed as the war raged in Marawi city.Your support will be used to keep the kitchen fire burning.
The ARMK PayPal account is paypal.me/artreliefmobile

o       Maranaw People Development Center (Maradeca, Inc) provides humanitarian support including distribution of food, infant kits, hygiene kits, household items, and psychosocial and medical services to displaced individuals and families.

Account name: MARADECA, Inc.

Account Number: 007-1705-1114-6

Bank name: Metrobank, Iligan City

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Signatures:

1.               Abesh K.C, World Food Programme – Nepal

2.               Aimée Espérance Matungulu, COFERD - Democratic Republic of Congo

3.               Alberto Estévez – Spain

4.               Amar Shahi – Nepal

5.               Andy Yentriyani - Indonesia

6.               Anita Kanitz – Germany

7.               Anjana Basnet - Nepal

8.               Anju Gautam Dixit, West Point High School - Nepal

9.               Anna Patricia Quilon - Philippines

10.           Anne Marie Goetz - Canada

11.           Annie Matundu-Mbambi, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom - Democratic Republic of Congo

12.           Annika Schabbauer, Operation 1325 - Sweden

13.           Anup Dahal – Nepal

14.           Aryama Upreti – Nepal

15.           Asmita Poudel, World Vision Advocacy Forum (WVAF) – Nepal

16.           Atsuko Miwa, Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center – Japan

17.           Aurora Javate de Dios, Women and Gender Institute – Philippines

18.           Ayush Adhikari – Nepal/India

19.           Babylou Edmilao - Philippines

20.           Bandana Rana - Nepal

21.           Banyene Ruth, Fille ambassadrice de la Synergie de femmes pour les victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS, en sigle) RD Congo - Goma

22.           Betty Reardon, International Institute on Peace Education – USA

23.           Bhasha Sharma, Republic Media – Nepal

24.           Bianca Pabotoy – Philippines

25.           Bigyan Adhikari – Nepal

26.           Bigyan Raj Gyawali, A & D Clinic – Nepal

27.           Brigitte Mawazo, Ngabo asbl Women’s Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Development – Democratic Republic of Congo

28.           Carine Umutoniwase, Footprints for Change - Rwanda

29.           Cerue Konah Garlo - Liberia

30.           Chandani Hamal, Republic Media - Nepal

31.           Charline Kavira, Fille ambassadrice de la Synergie de femmes pour les  victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS, en sigle) RD Congo - Goma

32.           Cindy Clark, Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) - USA

33.           Cora Weiss, International Peace Bureau; Hague Appeal for Peace – USA

34.           Cristina Tangco - Philippines

35.           Deby Dale Flores – United Arab Emirates

36.           Deepesh Khanal – Nepal

37.           Dhiraj Raj Gyawali - Nepal

38.           Dhurba Raj Gyawali, West Point High School – Nepal

39.           Dibyashree Basnet – Nepal/Australia

40.           Dikshya Adhikari – Nepal/USA

41.           Dinah Lakehal, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders - Morocco/USA

42.           Edith van der Spruit, WO=MEN – Netherlands

43.           Eleonore Veillet Chowdhury - France/USA

44.           Else Hammerich, Danish Centre for Conflict Resolution - Denmark

45.           Emilie Beck, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders - USA

46.           Emma Mogaka, Rural Women Peace Link – Kenya

47.           Esther Nyayihembako, Fille ambassadrice de la Synergie de femmes pour les victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS, en sigle) RD Congo - Goma

48.           Euphemia Akos Dzathor, African Women's Active Nonviolence Initiatives for Social Change (AWANICh) - Ghana

49.           Fenella Corpus – Philippines

50.           Francy Jaramillo Piedrahita, Red Departamental de Mujeres del Cauca - Colombia

51.           Gentille Kavira, Fille ambassadrice de la Synergie de femmes pour les victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS, en sigle) RD Congo - Goma

52.           Gita Bhandari – Nepal

53.           Gordana Subotic,  Dea Dia - Serbia

54.           Grace Felten - USA

55.           Guadalupe Isidro – Philippines

56.           Hazel Duya – Philippines

57.           Helen Kezie Nwoha, Isis Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange – Uganda

58.           Helena Gronberg - Finland/USA

59.           Hiroko Hashimoto, Japan Representative to UN Commission on the Status of Women - Japan

60.           Hisako Motoyama, Civil Society Working Group on Japan 1325 NAP - Japan

61.           Hubert Kinkoh, Footprint for Change - Cameroon

62.           Huong Thao PHAM – Vietnam

63.           Irene Esambo, Centre d’Études sur la Justice et la Résolution (CJR) 1325 - Democratic Republic of Congo

64.           Irfan Ali - Pakistan

65.           Isabelle Geuskens, Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) - Netherlands

66.           Januka Gyawali – Nepal

67.           Jasmin Nario Galace, Center for Peace Education – Miriam College – Philippines

68.           Jerry Cabangon - Saudi Arabia

69.           Jose Leonidas – Philippines

70.           Joy Mbaabu - Amani Communities Africa (ACA) - Kenya

71.           Julienne Lusenge, Women Solidarity for Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) and Fund for Congolese Women (FFC) - Democratic Republic of the Congo

72.           Justine Masika Bihamba – Democratic Republic of Congo

73.           Karen Tanada, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute - Philippines

74.           Karina Constantino-David – Philippines

75.           Karissa Chua, Justice Advocates of Miriam – Philippines

76.           Kate Alexander, Peace Action New York State - USA

77.           Kelly Yzique Zea, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders - Peru/USA

78.           Keshab Bhattarai, Legal Engineers Pvt. Ltd – Nepal     

79.           Kirstine Rønnov Due, Livia Foundation – Denmark

80.           Kumudini Samuel, Women and Media Collective - Sri Lanka

81.           Lal Jan Afridi, Society for Appraisal & Women Empowerment in Rural Areas (SAWERA) – Pakistan

82.           Lauren von Eckartsberg - USA

83.           Laxmi Bakhadyo, SAA:PHU (Education for all) - Nepal

84.           Lena Cummings - Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia

85.           Lina Laigo, PWU Institute for Family Life – Philippines

86.           Lois A. Herman, Women's UN Report Network (WUNRN) - USA

87.           Loreta Castro – Philippines

88.           Lyn Mayoralg - Philippines

89.           Mallika Iyer, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders – USA

90.           Margaret Kikuvi, Optimum Practice Worldwide – Kenya

91.           Maria Lourdes Baybay - Philippines

92.           Maribel Echavez - Philippines

93.           Marie Giselle Macaventa - Philippines

94.           Marissa Catama - United Kingdom

95.           Marita Wasan - Philippines

96.           Marlene Candido – Philippines

97.           Marpue Speare, Women's NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) – Liberia

98.           Mary Racelis, Ateneo de Manila University – Philippines

99.           Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders – Philippines/USA  

100.       Maya Tamayo Loyola - Philippines

101.       Melanie Reyes, Women and Gender Institute – Philippines

102.       Memen Lauzon - Philippines

103.       Mercy Abad, Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan – Philippines

104.       Mirisa Hasfaria, Alumni of 2012 UNESCO Chair International Leadership Training Program- Indonesia

105.       Mirma Tica – Philippines

106.       Nana Pratt, National Organization of Women - Sierra Leone

107.       Natasha Rappazzo - USA

108.       Nav Raj Adhikari, World Vision Advocacy Forum (WVAF) - Nepal

109.       Neema Namadamu, Synergy of Congolese Women’s Associations (SAFECO) – Democratic Republic of Congo

110.       Nikki Jurisprudencia, Women and Gender Institute – Philippines

111.       Norair Arutshyan, Society Without Violence (SWV) - Armenia

112.       Olive Tripon - Philippines

113.       Patience Ikpeh, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding Nigeria (WANEP) – Nigeria

114.       Philip Andrew Santos - Philippines

115.       Pingla Udit - South Africa

116.       Pinky Singh Rana, Rural Women's Development and Unity Centre and Samanta-Institute for Social and Gender Equality - Nepal

117.       Prabin Koirala, Republic Media – Nepal

118.       Prapti Rai, World Food Programme – Nepal

119.       Prativa Dahal – Nepal/Korea

120.       Prativa Khanal, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders - Nepal

121.       Priscilla Jison - Philippines

122.       Priyanka Bhattarai – Nepal/USA

123.       Rabi Narayan Khanal, Paradise Legal Chamber – Nepal

124.       Ravi Maharjan – Nepal

125.       Renu Ghimire, Paradise Legal Chamber - Nepal

126.       Rima Salah, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) – USA

127.       Rina Fulo, Women and Gender Institute – Philippines

128.       Rita Lopidia, Eve Organization for Women Development - South Sudan

129.       Robinah Rubimbwa, The Coalition for Action on 1325 - Uganda

130.       Roopa Bhandari, Apurva Nepal - Nepal

131.       Rosa Emilia Salamanca Gonzalez, Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE) – Colombia

132.       Rosanita Serrano - Philippines

133.       Rose Mutombo Kiese, Permanent Consultative Framework of the Congolese Women (CAFCO) - Democratic Republic of Congo

134.       Ruby Kholifah, Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) -  Indonesia

135.       Runhan Tian, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders - China

136.       Ruth Miller, Women Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) – Liberia

137.       Ruth Ochieng - Uganda

138.       Sabita Adhikari – Nepal

139.       Samantha Manuel – Philippines

140.       Samita Bhattarai, RTI International – Nepal/USA     

141.       Samman Timilsina - Nepal

142.       Sanjit Sangraula - Nepal

143.       Sanju Thapa, Nepal Medical College - Nepal

144.       Sarah Gabriel – Philippines

145.       Sepali Kottegoda, Women and Media Collective - Sri Lanka

146.       Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, femLINKpacific & the GPPAC Pacific network – Fiji

147.       Shiksha Risal, Nepal Republic Media - Nepal

148.       Socorro Reyes, Center for Legislative Development - Philippines

149.       Stephanie Johanssen, Global Justice Center - USA

150.       Surendra Paudel, Republic Media - Nepal

151.       Sushav Dixit, Titania Solutions Group - Nepal/USA

152.       Suzanne Miller - USA

153.       Swarup Acharya - Nepal

154.       Sylvie Seyanga, Fille ambassadrice de la Synergie de femmes pour les victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS, en sigle) RD Congo - Goma

155.       T. Estella Nelson Liberia Women Media Action Committee &  Liberia Women Democracy Radio (Women FM 91.1)

156.       Visaka Dharmadasa, Association of War Affected Women - Sri Lanka

157.       Wilnor Papa - Philippines

158.       Wivine Kanyere, Fille ambassadrice de la Synergie de femmes pour les victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS, en sigle) RD Congo - Goma

159.       Yumi Casem - Philippines

160.       Yushuang Li, New York University - China

161.       Zarina Vazquez - Philippines 

 

To endorse the statement and request further information, contact:

 Prativa Khanal, Global Network of Women Peace Builders <prativa@gnwp.org>

Karissa Chua, Justice Advocates of Miriam <karissachua@gmail.com>

 
[1] ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART), CMC, One With Marawi Hotline. Marawi Updates as of September 11. See:

https://www.facebook.com/1withmarawi/photos/a.301986780253258.1073741829.300451843740085/350534455398490/?type=3&theater
[2] See http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2017/09/30/Marawi-crisis-death-toll.html
[3]ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART), CMC, One With Marawi Hotline. Marawi Updates as of August 21. See:  https://www.facebook.com/1withmarawi/photos/a.301986780253258.1073741829.300451843740085/342152812903321/?type=3&theater
[4] See: http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/27/17/women-hostages-forced-to-sex-slavery-by-maute-terrorists-military-says
[5] See:http://asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/news/vital-aid-reaches-thousands-displaced-people-marawi-philippines
[6] This figure is based on the following sources:   http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/philippine-police-dumping-bodies-drug-war-victims-170728034001676.html

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/philippines-duterta-doa/

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/794598/kill-list-drugs-duterte    

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/179234-minors-college-students-victims-war-on-drugs-duterte

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/09/17/31-children-killed-amid-drug-war-ngo

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/08/duterte-drug-war/537612/