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 13^th 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

Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, Canada

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
  
  

US Contacts

International Women’s Tribune Centre

Mavic Cabrera-Balleza mavic@iwtc.org ; tel: 1 212 687 8633

Sarah Nagadya sarah@iwtc.org; tel: 1 212 687 8633