Message from ILPS Greece

To: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo *
From: ILPS Greece

Dear Sir/Madam;

We strongly protest the unjustified arrest and detention of Parliament member Crispin Beltran. This action is patently a violation of the right to legitimate dissent and his immunity to arrest as a member of Congress while this is in session.. We urge you to immediately release him and to desist from further carrying out measures that restrict the democratic rights of the people.

We are aware that the constitutionality and legality of Proclamation 1017 are being challenged by members of the Philippine Senate, who have cited non-compliance with the limits and restraints on the use of extraordinary powers.

We remind you that the Philippine Government is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments. Thus it is bound to observe all provisions of the said instruments.

Respectfully yours,

Taxiki Poria, Militant Movement of Students, People's Militant Movement
28 February 2006
Athens, Greece


* letter faxed to the Embassy of the Philippines in Athens, Greece