ICHRP PNW

On July 15, members of ICHRP PDX attended two separate town halls hosted by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley to ask him once again to sponsor the Philippine Human Rights Act in the Senate. Although he has shown concern in the past regarding the human rights situation, he has been unwilling to introduce this Bill which would end security assistance to the Philippine State.

Merkley explained that "the administration is wrestling with how to create effective leverage with a new president who we thought could turn the corner." That leverage is denying the Marcos Regime the military aid which it used to carry out the ongoing human right violations & war crimes. Despite the continued red-tagging, disappearances, and killings of human rights advocates, Merkley stated he had met with members of the Marcos family. What good is it to talk about human rights with a government that demonstrates a complete disregard for human rights, if you are unprepared to take action to hold them accountable?

To justify his refusal to support the PHRA, Merkley pointed to the US's "longstanding connection to the Philippines" and its role in defending them from China. The US has failed to protect Filipino fisherfolk from China's incursions in Philippine waters all while the US intensifies its own military presence on the islands to the detriment of peasants, farmers, women, and the environment. Instead of defending the Philippines, the US is turning the Philippines into a pawn in its own dangerous rivalry with China. It should be clear that the US "connection” to the Philippines has been one of domination and exploitation, not of respect for human rights and Philippine sovereignty.

Merkley cannot claim to be a champion of human rights while knowingly funding ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines. We call on the people of Oregon to join us in standing with the Filipino people and demand that Merkley introduce the PHRA in the US Senate. We refuse to send billions in military aid to a fascist state and instead demand these funds be spent to provide free higher education and universal healthcare, protect our forests and waters, and improve failing infrastructure.

Pass the Philippine Human Rights Act
Stop the Killings
Defend the Defenders!
End US Support of the Marcos Regime!