Call for solidarity with PDG’s activists
New false accusations against human rights and environmental activists in the Philippines.
On May 2, 2024, employees and volunteers of the Filipino NGO PDG (Paghida-et sa Kauswagan), a partner of Quinoa since 1993, were accused of financing terrorism actions. These scandalous and unfounded allegations are extremely dangerous for the accused and their families, and pose an existential threat to PDG as an organization.
Red-tagging
This is not the first attack against PDG. Over the years, the organization has regularly been the subject of threats, harassment and intimidation for simply defending, through peaceful means, the cause of those whose rights are violated… This practice, called ” red-tagging” – well known to human rights defenders – has been used for decades by the government. It consists of publicly accusing people and organizations of belonging to – or supporting – the New People’s Army (NPA) affiliated with the Philippine Communist Party. This is how many organizations, activists, journalists, political leaders are reduced to silence through acts of intimidation, torture and execution. It was this practice that led to the brutal assassination of PDG director, lawyer Benjamin Ramos, on November 6, 2018. A murder for which no justice was served.
Although condemned by United Nations rapporteurs, red tagging continues to be carried out without any impunity. The Philippines is the deadliest country for environmental activists, as human rights organizations keep reminding us. This must stop!
We call on the Government of the Philippines to:
Immediately drop these unfounded accusations against PDG;
Stop using this law to target and attempt to silence members of other civil society organizations through false allegations;
End state-sponsored attacks and assassinations;
Conduct an impartial investigation into all cases of blacklisting and defamation of members of civil society organizations;
End the state of emergency in Negros and revoke Executive Order 70 and Memorandum 32, the state policies behind the attacks on development workers and human rights defenders in Negros.
How to act?
The situation is critical, PDG and the accused activists need support, visibility and protection from international authorities. We call for action!
Talk about it to those around you, sign the Quinoa declaration (below). If you can, contribute to the solidarity fund (info below) for the legal costs of the 5 people accused in this case.
Read and sign the statement
Call for solidarity with the Filipino NGO PDG and an end to the repression of civil society organizations in the Philippines.
We express our deep concern regarding the charges filed by the Provincial Prosecutors Office of Negros Occidental, Province of the Philippines, against five members, former staff and volunteers of the Philippine NGO Paghida-et sa Kauswagan (CEO), accusing them of to be involved in the financing of terrorism. >>Read the entire statement.
First signatories: :
- Quinoa ASBL
- Action Solidarité Tiers Monde (Luxembourg)
- CNCD 11.11.11
- Viva Salud
- Solidagro
- Fian
- Terre-en-vue
- Autre-Terre
- Entraide et Fraternité
- European Coordination Via Campesina
- Acodev
- Progress Lawyers Network
Signer la déclaration
Solidarity Fund
If you would like to make a donation to PDG to contribute to the legal costs of the 5 people accused, you can go through Quinoa, via our secure Stripe application
Of course, all of the funds will be donated to PDG. As a reminder, any donation of at least €40 can be tax deductible from your net taxable income. If you would like to receive a tax certificate, please provide us with your national register number at info(@)quinoa.be
Thank you very much for your contribution.
PDG
PDG, Paghida-et sa Kauswagan, is an NGO well known to several civil society organizations in the Philippines and Europe. Located on the island of Negros, the NGO was established in 1987 against a backdrop of poverty caused by falling sugar prices and continued human rights violations by big landowners and the military.
By creating viable community structures, drivers of sustainable social development, the NGO enables rural communities in Negros Occidental to ensure their right to a dignified life and a healthy environment through community strengthening, helping families to obtain their land rights, by encouraging sustainable agricultural techniques, human rights training and providing access to health services in a situation where these are lacking.
Quinoa and PDG have been collaborating since 1993. PDG has welcomed many international project volunteers over the years and left an impression on the spirit of each of them.