Diverse women’s organizations and peace advocates in the Philippines send letter to United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on armed conflict between the government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels

Letter calls UN Secretary-General to bring the GRP and MILF back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible. It also calls the UN to demand both parties to honour their obligation under Security Council Resolution 1325 which is to ensure women's equal and fair participation in peace processes and ensure the protection of women and children who are the most vulnerable in armed conflict

The women’s organizations and peace advocates issued the following letter to the UN Secretary-General about the armed conflict in Southern Philippines:

August 29, 2008

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UN Headquarters
New York, USA
Tel: 212 963 5012; Fax: 212 963 4879
Email: sgcentral@un.org

Subject: armed conflict in Southern Philippines

Dear Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,

We would like to express utmost concern about the recent breakout of violence in Southern Philippines (parts of Mindanao island) following the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on August 4, 2008.

Fifty (50) people, most of whom are civilians, have been killed and some 220,000 have been displaced by the recent attacks in Lanao and North Cotabato provinces.

While we believe that MILF units that targeted villages have engaged in serious violations of international law and should be held accountable, we are also seriously concerned about the formation of armed militia units with support from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The setting up of armed groups will not protect civilians as some local government officials believe. Rather, it will lead to more chaos, insecurity and division among local communities. The protection of civilians is the responsibility of the State and its security sector such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

We thank you for your statement of August 13th where you expressed concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis and appealed for restraint, protection of all civilians as well as access for the provision of speedy humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

We now call on your office to bring the government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible. We also call on you to demand both parties to honor their obligation under Security Council Resolution 1325 which is to ensure women's equal and fair participation in peace processes and ensure the protection of women and children who are the most vulnerable in armed conflict situations.

Yours sincerely,

Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
Katungod Han Samareña Foundation, Inc. (Rights of Samar Women)
Mindanao Commission on Women
Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement
Mindanao Tri-People Women
Mindanao Young Women Leaders Forum
Mothers for Peace
Muslim Women Peace Advocates
Peace Education Network, Philippines
Philippine Action Network on Small Arms
Philippine Campaign against Cluster Munitions
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
Political Caucus of Women Leaders in Mindanao
Women's Crisis Center Manila

Individual signatories:
Abdulbasit R. Benito, Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace Inc., Philippines
Antoinette Brem, Switzerland
Barbara Lehner, Switzerland
Bianca Miglioretto, Switzerland
Chan lean heng, Science University of Malaysia
Dr. Jan Marie Fritz (USA)
Dr. Susana Salavador-Anayatin, Graduate Schools of Notre Dame University and Mindanao State
University, Philippines
Benedicto Q. Sánchez, Broad Initiatives for Negros Development, Philippines
Elvie Villarido-Manaytay, The Zamaboanga Sibugay Tribune, Philippines
Franciska Keller, Switzerland
Jane Prichard, Convenor Pacific Women's Watch, Inc, New Zealand
Katja Schurter, Switzerland
Lourdes Portus, University of the Philippines
Llili Bienz, Switzerland
Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, University of Tsukuba
Sebastian Becker, Germany

With endorsements from
AMARC Women's International Network
Asian Circle 1325
Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights
Center for Women's Global Leadership
Central American Secretariat, Zurich, Switzerland
Comunica-ch, the Swiss Platform on the Information Society
Femlink Pacific
Hague Appeal for Peace
International Presentation Association Sisters of the Presentation (USA)
International Women's Tribune Centre
Isis International
JC International English School Nepal
Liberia Women Media Action Committee
Peace Boat US
Peace-communication.eu - Germany
Radio LoRa (Zurich, Switzerland)
Sri Lanka Women and Media Collective
Women Action for New Directions (USA)
Women for Justice in Africa (Kenya)
Women for Peace (Switzerland)

Cc:
· The president of the UN General Assembly
· Members of the UN Security Council; the Philippine mission to the UN; the following country missions to the UN: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, USA
· The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, and USA in Manila
· World Bank - The World Bank and Civil Society; World Bank Philippines, Washington DC Office