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FR. CULLEN CITES “VERY GOOD WORKING RELATIONS” |
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 WITH RP GOV’T ON THE ISSUE OF CHILDREN IN JAILS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fr. Shay Cullen cited his “very good working relations with
the Philippine government” in addressing the issue of children locked up in
Philippine jails together with adult convicts in today’s press conference at the
National Press Club (NPC) in Washington, D.C.
The Columban missionary, who heads PREDA (People’s Recovery Empowerment
Development Assistance Foundation, Inc.), also said that he has had “very good
cooperation with the Philippine Supreme Court,” which amended procedures in
order to allow the release without bail of 150 to 200 children to PREDA’S
custody legally in the last nine months.
Fr. Cullen, likewise mentioned the recent approval at the Senate Justice
Committee level of Senate Bill No. 1042 also known as the Juvenile Justice bill.
Sponsored by Senate Majority Floor leader Francis Pangilinan, this bill “will
prohibit the treatment of children offenders as adult criminals, but instead as
victims of circumstance who deserve to be given rehabilitation and not
punishment,” Fr. Cullen explained.
For his part, Lord David Alton –co-founder of the international human rights
organization Jubilee Campaign (JC), and a former member of the United Kingdom’s
House of Commons – said that he was “pleased with the constructive approach” of
Philippine Embassy officials “who are keenly aware of the damaging nature of
(locking up) children behind bars.”
During this morning’s meeting at the Philippine Embassy on the problem of
Filipino children kept in overcrowded jails alongside adult convicts, Lord Alton
and Fr. Cullen proposed the following measures to the Philippine government:
1) the appointment by President Gloria Arroyo of a “roving ambassador for
children” who shall report directly to the President, and who shall have
authority to coordinate the efforts of all agencies at the national and local
levels in addressing problems facing children;
2) the imposition of more severe punitive measures against local government
units which do not comply with a law requiring them to establish shelters
exclusively for children offenders, in lieu of the present P5,000 fine for
non-compliance;
3) the declaration of a moratorium on the arrests and detention of children
(which according to government figures total 3,700 and not 20,000 as reported);
4) the institution of measures to ensure access to education of Filipino
children of school age; and
5) collaboration with the Philippine government in tapping the support of
overseas Filipinos so that they could help safeguard and promote the welfare of
Filipino street children.
Fr. Cullen said that he is working together with Philippine government officials
in rectifying bureaucratic and systemic problems, foremost of which is the
indefinite detention of minors without charge.
In his meetings with American legislators, the missionary said that he will
request the US government to look at how US assistance has been spent in
projects intended for the victims of Mt. Pinatubo and to review the adherence to
human rights of certain Philippine local government units which have been
recipients of US grants.
Joining Fr. Cullen and Lord Alton in the meeting with the Embassy officers led
by Deputy Chief of Mission Evan Garcia were Ms. Ann Buwalda , Mr. Bob Turner and
Mr. Edward Logan of the Jubilee Campaign of Washington, D.C. and Ms. Teresa
Cristina Belchior dos Santos, general coordinator of the Brazil-based Rede
Viva-RJ which is working with children at risk in the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
(END)
o0o
__________________________________________________________
Reference: Consul Patricia Ann V. Paez
Press and Information Officer
Tel. No. (202) 467- 9400
E-mail: pvpaez@aol.com
or
Mr. Erik Lorenzana
Tel. No. (202) 467-9432
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Posted on Wednesday, September 28 @ 17:29:38 CDT by don |
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