Solidarity in Philippines

Solidarity in Philippines

By Carla Gorton

MANILA — Amnesty International Pilipinas and Initiatives for International Dialogue, a Philippines-based NGO, organised an evening of solidarity for East Timor here on October 28.

The theme for the evening was "No to 30! End 29 Years of Repression In Indonesia and East Timor!". An Amnesty International/BBC documentary entitled In Cold Blood was screened, and the crowd of more than 150 people was entertained by local band Grupong Pendong and performances of Timorese resistance poetry and song.

East Timorese solidarity activists are also planning activities on November 12 to commemorate the 1991 Dili massacre. US President Bill Clinton, who will be visiting the Philippines on November 12, can expect to be confronted not only on the issue of GATT, but also on justice for East Timor.

Church services throughout Metro Manila on November 13 will draw attention to the ongoing human rights abuses inflicted by Indonesia's occupation of East Timor.

From GLW issue 166