| What this knot is all about? |
Legal experts press Philippines' Aquino to comply with peace agreements
Submitted by Kodao on Tue, 11/15/2011 - 22:34.
Click the images below for bigger versions:
NDFP International Information Office
15 November 2011
**Legal experts press Philippines' Aquino to comply with peace
agreements**
(Utrecht, 15 November 2011) A newly-formed group of international
legal experts yesterday pressed the Philippines' Benigno Aquino
government to comply with past agreements forged with the
revolutionary National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), as
the only way forward to peacefully resolve the country's 40-year old
armed conflict.
In a public meeting organized by the NDFP Negotiating Panel in
Utrecht, the Netherlands, under the auspices of the University of
Utrecht's Center for Conflict Studies, members of the newly-formed
International Legal Advisory Team tackled issues and questions on the
armed conflict and peace negotiations in the Philippines. The legal
experts discussed the role of international law in advancing the
stalled talks between the NDFP and the Aquino government.
Jan Fermon, professor of law at the University of Maastricht,
explained that the NDFP and the government of the Republic of the
Philippines have already inked 12 important agreements since peace
negotiations resumed in 1992. “International law has always played a
role in these agreements... international laws are useful instruments
in resolving conflicts,” he argued.
Fermon cited the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights
and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) as one important
agreement signed in 1998, and which bounds both parties in the armed
conflict to abide by human rights conventions and international
humanitarian laws.
The GRP however, according to Fermon, has not respected its own
commitment to abide by the agreements its has signed. “The only way
forward,” he declared, “is to respect and comply with these
agreements.”
A large group of university students, lawyers, social activists, and
Filipino migrants attended the discussion in Utrecht's historic city
center. In the panel were international legal luminaries Fermon and Jo
Dereymaeker of Belgium, Richard Harvey and Ann Morris of the UK, and
Edre U. Olalia of the Philippines. Also in the panel were Luis G.
Jalandoni, Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel, and NDFP Chief
Political Consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison.
The International Legal Advisory Team, currently composed of 13 legal
experts from the US, Europe, Latin America, Africa, South Asia and the
Philippines, was formed earlier this year to advise and assist the
NDFP peace panel on the peace negotiations, international human rights
and humanitarian laws.
During the meeting, the Dutch-Philippines Solidarity Movement
presented a petition calling on both parties to resume the peace
talks. Theo Droog, the group's chairperson, asked those present to
sign the petition: “We support serious and sincere discussions of
basic reforms, to lay the ground for peace,”
Jalandoni, asked if there is a possibility of reaching an end to
hostilities with the peace negotiations, explained that “an end game
could be reached following the regular track and sequence of the
negotiations... That is, conclude the remaining items in the agenda on
social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and
the end of hostilities and the disposition of forces.”
He averred, however, that there is a shortcut if the current
Philippine government agrees to an NDFP offer of a truce and alliance
on the basis of a general declaration of common intent. [NDFP-IIO]
PRESS RELEASE
NDFP International Information Office
15 November 2011
**Legal experts press Philippines' Aquino to comply with peace
agreements**
(Utrecht, 15 November 2011) A newly-formed group of international
legal experts yesterday pressed the Philippines' Benigno Aquino
government to comply with past agreements forged with the
revolutionary National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), as
the only way forward to peacefully resolve the country's 40-year old
armed conflict.
In a public meeting organized by the NDFP Negotiating Panel in
Utrecht, the Netherlands, under the auspices of the University of
Utrecht's Center for Conflict Studies, members of the newly-formed
International Legal Advisory Team tackled issues and questions on the
armed conflict and peace negotiations in the Philippines. The legal
experts discussed the role of international law in advancing the
stalled talks between the NDFP and the Aquino government.
Jan Fermon, professor of law at the University of Maastricht,
explained that the NDFP and the government of the Republic of the
Philippines have already inked 12 important agreements since peace
negotiations resumed in 1992. “International law has always played a
role in these agreements... international laws are useful instruments
in resolving conflicts,” he argued.
Fermon cited the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights
and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) as one important
agreement signed in 1998, and which bounds both parties in the armed
conflict to abide by human rights conventions and international
humanitarian laws.
The GRP however, according to Fermon, has not respected its own
commitment to abide by the agreements its has signed. “The only way
forward,” he declared, “is to respect and comply with these
agreements.”
A large group of university students, lawyers, social activists, and
Filipino migrants attended the discussion in Utrecht's historic city
center. In the panel were international legal luminaries Fermon and Jo
Dereymaeker of Belgium, Richard Harvey and Ann Morris of the UK, and
Edre U. Olalia of the Philippines. Also in the panel were Luis G.
Jalandoni, Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel, and NDFP Chief
Political Consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison.
The International Legal Advisory Team, currently composed of 13 legal
experts from the US, Europe, Latin America, Africa, South Asia and the
Philippines, was formed earlier this year to advise and assist the
NDFP peace panel on the peace negotiations, international human rights
and humanitarian laws.
During the meeting, the Dutch-Philippines Solidarity Movement
presented a petition calling on both parties to resume the peace
talks. Theo Droog, the group's chairperson, asked those present to
sign the petition: “We support serious and sincere discussions of
basic reforms, to lay the ground for peace,”
Jalandoni, asked if there is a possibility of reaching an end to
hostilities with the peace negotiations, explained that “an end game
could be reached following the regular track and sequence of the
negotiations... That is, conclude the remaining items in the agenda on
social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and
the end of hostilities and the disposition of forces.”
He averred, however, that there is a shortcut if the current
Philippine government agrees to an NDFP offer of a truce and alliance
on the basis of a general declaration of common intent. [NDFP-IIO]
»
- Add new comment
- 347 reads
