Government urged to act on rights abuses

Human Rights Watch on Monday urged the UN Human Rights Council to press the Philippines to commitments on rights abuses ahead of a review of the country’s progress in Geneva next week.

Lanka president pardons ex-general

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was released Monday by presidential pardon after more than two years in prison.

Church attacked with stones, urine – pastor

A leader of the Batak Society Christian Church (HKBP) of Philadelphia in West Java has urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take action against religious intolerance after radical Muslims were accused of throwing stones and urine at a church congregation.

Bangladeshi tribals demand justice for killings

Hundreds of people Sunday staged protests in several districts in the northwest of Bangladesh to demand justice for four tribal laborers murdered earlier this month.

Justice eludes 18 slain Protestants

A Christian group has repeated calls today for the government to provide justice for 18 Protestants killed by government forces during counter-insurgency operations during Gloria Arroyo’s administration.

Military launches peace courses

The head of the Phillipine Military Academy (PMA) said yesterday it aims to ingrain peace-building within its ranks through a new course that teaches conflict-resolution skills to members of the armed forces.

Rights, green groups scoff at AFP ‘zero violation’ claim

Human rights and environmental groups on Thursday scoffed at the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ claim that no soldiers had committed human rights violations in the first quarter of this year.

Govt admits failure to arrest 3 fugitives

President Benigno Aquino III yesterday said the government had its shortcomings in its efforts to arrest three high-profile fugitives: retired general Jovito Palparan, former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, and Ruben Ecleo of Dinagat Island.

Firm denies harassing tribal communities

A company that operates a palm oil plantation in Misamis Oriental yesterday denied land grabbing and harassment charges by tribal communities of Tingalan and Bagocboc in Opol town.

Indonesian president under fire over N. Korea meet

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has come under fire from activists for not having raised human rights violations during a meeting with a visiting top North Korean official.

Deaths bring worker safety into focus

The deaths of 17 women in a garment store blaze in the Mindanao city of Butuan on Wednesday has thrust the practice of employers letting workers sleep on their premises into the spotlight.

Environmental activist killed in Mindanao

An environmental activist was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman in the province of Bukidnon on Wednesday, according to the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.

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