| International groups denounce deportation of Bangladeshi peasant leader |
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| Written by IBON Foundation, Inc. |
| Friday, 31 March 2006 16:03 |
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International groups denounce deportation of Bangladeshi peasant leader
Leaders of the People's Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), and the Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) said that the Philippine government seemed "paranoid and fearful" for barring Alam. Alam is in the country to attend a joint meeting of the PCFS and the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC). As vice chair of the APC, he will also attend the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Tribunal on April 4. According to Teresa Lauron, general secretary of the APRN, the Arroyo administration seemed to be "afraid of its own shadow" for blacklisting an innocent farmer leader like Badrul. Biplab Halim, co-founder of the PCFS added that "Badrul has always been supportive of the plight and struggles of his fellow peasants in the Philippines and in other countries. There is nothing in any international or local law that says expressing solidarity for the poor is a crime." PCFS and APRN members also denounce the manner by which Badrul was deported. According to the groups, immigration officials did not even explain why he was placed in the backlist. If he turned out to be blacklisted, the Philippine embassy should not have given him a visa from Bangladesh in the first place, they argued. "But the way Badrul was treated only shows how the government suppresses individuals and groups that are perceived as critical of the Arroyo administration," says Lauron. March 31, 2006 PRESS STATEMENT For reference: Biplab Halim, co-founder of People's Coalition on Food Sovereignty, Maria Theresa Lauron, General Secretary, Asia Pacific Research Network Like it? Share it!
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