Des activistes philippins entament une grève de la faim en solidarité avec les prisonniers politiques

In support of the campaign calling for the release of political prisoners in the Philippines, activists launched a solidarity fast — a protest that was staged in conjunction with the political prisoners themselves, and with their relatives. The fast began on December 3, 2016 and will last until Human Rights Day, on December 10.

As of October 31, 2016, there are 401 political prisoners in the country, many of them rural-based activists who are accused of being rebels. According to their lawyers, the prisoners were detained on trumped-up charges such as murder, arson and kidnapping. Their supporters insist, however, that they are ordinary activists who fought for land reform, human rights and good governance.

Their relatives issued this statement to call for their immediate release:

“Political prisoners are victims of the government’s injustice. They are persons caring for the marginalized sectors of the society but they were jailed for trumped up charges. They are not criminals. Our loved ones have already lost too many years, suffering in prison. Some of them have already died while in detention.”

Read full article.