Document - PHILIPPINES : Respectez les droits humains!

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PRESS RELEASE

AI Index: ASA 35/004/2003 (Public)

News Service No: 020

30 January 2003

Philippines: Respect human rights!

Amnesty International called upon all parties in the conflict between the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People's Army (NPA) and government forces to publicly pledge their respect for basic human rights and humanitarian principles. Amnesty International made the statement following the deliberate killing of Romulo Kintanar on 23 January in a restaurant in Metro Manila.

Romulo Kintanar held a leadership position in the CPP in the eighties but has reportedly not been a member of the party since 1992. The CPP has reportedly claimed responsibility for his killing, attributing it to a special unit of its armed wing the New People's Army.

Amnesty International reminded all parties in the conflict to abide by Article 3 of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which forbids governments and armed opposition groups alike to torture, to deliberately kill civilians taking no part in the fighting, to harm those who are wounded, captured or seeking to surrender, or to take hostages.

Public Document

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