We, the Philippine groups representing various interests and advocacies, including those on human rights, labor, women, youth, urban poor, Moro and IPs, environment, and political parties, form ourselves today into NO TO WAR network in solidarity with the world’s people who are suffering from the devastating impacts of ongoing conflicts and in preventing the slide of other conflicts into new wars, including those in Asia and possibly in the Philippines.
As an anti-war network, we are campaigning for peace with
justice and will continue to oppose the ruling establishment's inclination
toward war, militarization, colonization, and destruction, both of humanity and
the environment.
In solidarity with the Palestinian people, we join the
international community in calling for a permanent ceasefire, a stop to
genocide in Gaza, and an end to Israeli occupation. Words cannot adequately convey the horrors of
war being experienced by the Palestinians from the endless airstrikes and
ground raids carried out by Israel. There must be a stop to this genocide and
human suffering!
We advocate for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire
because we believe this is the critical first step towards de-escalation,
facilitating humanitarian aid, and creating a conducive environment for
brokering negotiations and dialogues. Without a a permanent ceasefire, sparks
of violence will only lead to the escalation of further violence.
The international community, especially the free countries
within the United Nations, must step up to address the intensifying
humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They should redouble their efforts to find
diplomatic and political solutions to the Palestine-Israel conflict and cease
support for Israel’s campaign of siege and genocide in Gaza by halting aid from
the US and other western powers.
As a contribution to the growing peace and anti-war movement
across the globe, the Philippines’ NO TO WAR network will be holding a series
of activities ranging from teach-ins, physical and online fora, as well as
direct actions to amplify our cause.
In particular, in addition to its obligation to secure
Filipinos on both sides, including the safe release of the remaining Filipino
hostages in Gaza, we urge the Philippine government to support the UN
resolution calling for a ceasefire and the creation of free corridors for
humanitarian aid. In the 1930s, when many other countries refused to take in
Holocaust refugees, our nation welcomed 1,200 Jewish individuals from Shanghai,
China, ensuring their safety from the genocide perpetrated by
Nazi Germany. In a similar manner, we implore the Philippine
government not to abstain and, once again, to stand against genocide—this time,
by calling on Israel for a permanent ceasefire.
On November 30, the NO TO WAR network will link up with
Nagkaisa Labor Coalition in commemorating Andres Bonifacio's day. Bonifacio,
alongside fellow Katipuneros and Katipuneras, led the revolutionary resistance
against Spanish colonialism. Members of NO TO WAR collectively believe that the
historical legacy of colonialism, occupation, and militarism has perpetuated
conflicts throughout modern times. Therefore, our opposition remains against
militarization and the imposition of unjust policies by foreign powers in our
country.
NO TO WAR will also be part of
the human rights community in celebrating Human Rights Week at the start of
December.
Access photos of launching here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xdTDQQmgzbQ-4MmSiXVsy4Vi2vhoLIYy
NO TO WAR network is composed of the following
organizations:
Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao
Amnesty International Philippines
Anak Mindanao-Youth
Bangsa
Coalition Against Human Trafficking of Women-Asia Pacific
(CATW-AP)
Dakila
Federation of Free Workers
Focus on the Global South
KAGULONG
IIRE-Manila
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (IDefend)
Laban Kababaihan
LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women's Rights)
MINDANOW
Nagkaisa Labor Coalition
National Federation of Labor
Partido Manggagawa (PM)
Public Services Labor Independent Confederation
Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO)
Tara Kabataan
United Filipino Service Workers
United Muslim Alliance for Development (UMA DEV)
World March of Women - Pilipinas
PRESS STATEMENT
NO TO WAR
28 November 2023
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