We, the undersigned, issue this statement in the name of Indonesian Social Movement to strongly condemn the violence in the Philippines that killed eight labor and farmer activists: Mr. Edilberto Miralles, Ms. Emerenciana Mercado-de la Cruz, Ms. Violeta Mercado-de Leon, Mr. Eligio Barbado, Mr. Gaudencio Baga, Mr. Ariel Diaz, Mr. Orlando Abangan, and Mr. Arnel Figueroa. We share our deepest condolences.

We believe that the murders are politically motivated, to limit the space for civil society in the country. The incidents are clearly aimed at suppressing those who fight for people’s rights and intimidating those who fight against the tyranny of the state and the capital.

The Philippine government should protect its people from any form of violence. The extrajudicial killings in the name of the so-called war against drugs do not guarantee a peaceful situation in a society. Instead, they promote a culture of violence, making the government ignorant and useless in its obligation to protect and fulfill the rights of the people.

The state can no longer be silent and indifferent, especially when human rights defenders become targets of summary executions. The state has the responsibility to prevent the violation of human rights.

Therefore, we urge the Philippines government to immediately stop and prevent all forms of violence. Violence does not address the roots of the problems of the society. Instead, it becomes a tool to weaken the social movement in the Philippines. The government should also urgently investigate the murders objectively and fairly. It should also guarantee a free, democratic, and safe space for people to fight for their rights.

As we believe that the violent acts against labour activists and peasant leaders are against humanity, we also strongly urge the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights to be actively involved in the investigation of the murders.

Jakarta, 26 September 2016

In the name of the Indonesian Social Movement

1. Indonesia for Global Justice(IGJ)
2. The Federation of Indonesian Labor Struggle (FPBI)
3. Sedane Labour Resource Centre (LIPS)
4. Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SafeNet)
5. Indonesian Struggle Union (PPI)
6. Indonesia AIDS Coalition (IAC)
7. Indonesian Student Union (SMI)
8. Anarkonesia
9. SatuDunia (OneWorld)
10. The women of Mahardhika (Perempuan Mahardhika)
11. The Federation of Cross-factory Labor (FBLP)
12. The People Politic (Politik Rakyat)
13. The Federation of Independent Labor Union (FSBM)
14. The Federation of Indonesian Labor Movement Union (FSPBI)
15. Gema Demokrasi
16. People Solidarity for Democracy (SORAK), Bandung
17. PurpleCode Collective
18. The Legal Aid of Journalist (LBH Pers)
19. The Legal Aid of Padang Journalist (LBH Pers Padang)
20. The Church of Grace Community-Reformed Baptist Salemba (Gereja Komunitas Anugerah Reformed Baptist Salembal
21. Ultimus Bandung
22. The Union of Indonesian Culture Society against militarism (SeBUMI lawan militerisme)
23. The Federation of Labor Struggle Solidarity (Federasi Gabungan Solidaritas Perjuangan Buruh)
24. The Labor Union of Jabodetabek Railway (SPKAJ Jabodetabek )
25. The United of Youth Struggle Organization (KPOP)
26. The Women Institute (Institut Perempuan)
27. Rumah Belajar Rakyat
28. Ernawati
29. The Confederation of Indonesian People Struggle (KPRI)
30. Initiative Association
31. Papua Democratic People Movement (Gerakan Rakyat Demokratik Papua)
32. Independent Forum of Papua Student (Forum Independen Mahasiswa Papua)
33. People Movement for Democracy (GELORA DEMOKRASI, PALU)
34. PMII metro makassar
35. The Confederation of National Union(KSN)
36. The Federation of Karya Utama Labor Union (FSBKU-KSN)
37. The Confederation of Indonesian People Struggle - BANTEN (KPRI- BANTEN)
38. The Union of Indonesian Farmer Movement (P3I)
39. Forum Solidaritas Yogyakarta Damai (FSYD)