Serge exhorts BID to uphold human rights
6 June 2002
Office ofsenator Sergio Osmeho III
Contact - Armie Evardone
Tel - 552-6601
Local 5518-20
Dir - 552-6725
Sen. Serge Osmeña III today exhorted the Bureau of Immigration and
Deportation (BID) to adhere to the policy of protecting the human and civil
rights of every person in the matter of effecting arrests and deportation of
foreigners.
Osmeña's appeal came amidst solicitations from non-Filipino volunteers
and human rights workers who have been threatened with arrest and
deportation on the mere ground of joining a street rally, Under a BID
directive issued by BID Commissioner Andrea Domingo, a foreigner who joins
protest activities is to be considered a "threat" t ,p national security,
public order and the national interest, and can therefore be arrested and
deported.
"The right to assemble peaceably is part of the freedom of expression
and as long as such rallies are conducted peacefully, without resorting to
intimidation, coercion, or violence, such constitutional right should not be
stifled", Osmeña declared.
"While we were in exile in America, we organized inumerable public
rallies against the US government for its support of the Marcos
dictatorship.
There is no democratic government who prevents foreigners from speaking
out publicly," he said.
"The civil rights of every person, whether foreigner or Filipino are not
only guaranteed by our Constitution and civil laws but also under the
Universal Declaration on Human Rights to which the Philippines is a
signatory'@, Osmeña further averred.
"Instead of harassing these marchers for justice, the BID should clamp
down on sex exploiters and foreign criminals who enjoy prolonged stay 'in
our country after offering bribes to certain BID officials," he said.
Osmeña cites the cases involving two foreigners connected to the sex
industry - German national Harry E. Joost and Swiss national Markus Leo
Widmer, who despite being issued BID orders dated February 16, 2001 and
August 6, 2000, respectively, remain scot-free.
"The double standard in effecting BID orders for arrest and detention
should come to a halt lest we suffer international censure for human rights
violations," Osmeña added.
