[APWSLMembers 523] An invitation to the international forum: FREEDOM FOR KA BEL is JUSTICE FOR THE TOILING MASSES! FREE KA BEL NOW!”

[Kilusang Mayo Uno]

07 March 2007

Dear friends, comrades, brothers and sisters:

Greetings from the Philippines!

It has been a year since Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Representative
Crispin Beltran was illegally arrested and arbitrarily detained. Despite
local and international pressures exerted, including several calls from
the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arroyo government is not releasing
him and is even planning to transfer him from his hospital room at the
Philippine Heart Center back to his detention cell in the Philippine
National Police Camp.

In line with our resolve to strengthen the campaign for the release of
the illegally-arrested and arbitrarily detained lawmaker and veteran
labor leader, the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM), together with Kilusang
Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center and the Center for Trade Union and Human
Rights (CTUHR), earnestly invite you and your organization to
participate in “FREEDOM FOR KA BEL is JUSTICE FOR THE TOILING MASSES!
FREE KA BEL NOW!” an international forum for Ka Bel’s freedom.

Scheduled on 07 May 2007, the forum is conceived as an international
venue for civil libertarians, human rights advocates, labor activists to
gather and show their support for Ka Bel and the Filipino toiling
masses. It will be an important media event that will help intensify
calls and put greater political pressure on the Arroyo government to
immediately free Ka Bel and stop its campaign of political repression in
the Philippines. The forum includes a solidarity visit to Ka Bel.

We also would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the
International Solidarity Affairs Conference, as well as to the
International Observers’ Mission. The two-day conference of the 23^rd
ISA organized by the Kilusang Mayo Uno on May 8-9 offers workshops on
global trade union and political repression in the various parts of the
country. Meanwhile, the IOM seeks to document and monitor expected
military harassment and government-instigated fraud in the fast
approaching 2007 Philippine elections.

While we cannot cover your travel and accommodation expenses, you can be
rest assured that we will fully assist you throughout your stay here in
the Philippines.

Again, our gratitude for your continuing support! We hope that you will
be able to participate in these activities and help contribute to their
success.


Yours truly,
Dennis N. Maga
Spokesperson, KFBM

   Elmer Labog
Convener, FKBM
Chair, KMU

Daisy Arago
Convener, FKBM
Executive Director, CTUHR


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