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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
EDITORIAL
- Empowering the Source of our Strength
COVER STORY
- Human Rights Now...
COUNTRY SITUATIONS
- Kashmir: And Disappearances Continue
- Nepal: Supreme Court Judgment...
NEWS FEATURES
- A Week to Remember
- A Memorial Service to the Filipino Nation...
- Healing is Liberating
- “¡Presente!”- A Tribute Concert ...
- Memory, Suffering and Art Counseling
- A Morning or a Dark Night for Human Rights
- Bitter Truth...
PHOTO ESSAY
- Sharpening our Healing Capacities ...
INTERNATIONAL LOBBY
- The Anti-Disappearance Treaty
LETTER OF SYMPATHY
POEM
- For Mothers of the Vanished
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News Features
“¡Presente!”
A Tribute Concert in commemoration
of the International Day of the Disappeared
August 29, 2007
Film Institute, University of the Philippines
By: Rosa Bella Quindosa
“People with guns, but with no clear reason, with no arrest warrants come into houses any time of the day…emotions of the family border on despair as they await news and undertake the long search… with uncertainty”
“Pag-ibig na walang hanggan… at habang magkalayo, papalapit ang puso, kahit na magkahiwalay, tayo ay magkasama sa magkabilang dulo ng mundo”.
(Everlasting love…. While we are miles apart, our hearts all the more become closer… despite our separation, we are together … despite our being located in two separate points of the globe…)
These describe the phenomenon of enforced or involuntary disappearance and the despair of
the families and relatives of desaparecidos, on the one hand, and the eternal hope, love, and remembrance that bind the
desaparecidos and their loved ones from Asia and the rest of the world together.
These are also some of the words and lyrics voiced out in the opening of the tribute concert held on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared. Called “¡Presente!” the concert was organized by the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) with the support of Claimants 1081, the DIAKONIE, Germany; EED-Germany, HIVOS - The Netherlands, and Embassy of the Republic of France in Manila.
The concert featured performances of various artists/music groups in the Philippines, promising a night of music to remember the beloved
desaparecidos and more importantly to create or increase awareness of the public and different sectors of society on the issue of disappearances that would effectively address the issue. Some 400 members of the audience from human rights and other non-government organizations, academe, the diplomatic community and families and relatives of the disappeared filled the University of the Philippines’ film center.
The commemoration
The event’s host, party-list Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel rose to the stage, before and after each segment, bringing a lamp and sharing one documented disappearance case around the Asian region after another. As the night progressed, more lamps were brought in and, for the audience, shedding more light on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances, the sufferings of the
desaparecidos and their loved ones, as well as on the call for the ratification by more countries of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance.
The dim atmosphere of the stage, symbolized the dim fate of the desaparecidos and their families, gradually brightening with one lamplight after another. The dark and uncertain search for the disappeared father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend brings about only one certainty, and that is the certainty of suffering of the disappeared person by agents of the state and of the family, relatives, and friends. It was hoped that the continued reporting and documentation of disappearance cases and advocacy against this human rights violation would result in brighter and more concrete gains for truth and justice for the
desaparecidos and their families.
Indeed, as the incidence of disappearance continues, there is an imperative “…to raise more awareness regarding more than just the nature of disappearances but also how the world, through the Convention, is calling upon…” governments, media, civil society, church people and the general public to heed the call against disappearances and impunity, particularly in Asia.
The Charge’ d Affaires from the Embassy of France in Manila, Mr. Bernard Regnauld Fabre, reiterated the great progress in the issue of disappearances when the United Nations Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention in June 2006 and December 2006,respectively. Another step was achieved in February 2007 when some governments signed the international instrument in Paris, France. He added, however, that much more still needed to be done in the coming years in calling on other Asian countries, particularly those with a high incidence of enforced or involuntary disappearances, and including the Philippines to ratify the said Convention.
Secretariat members of AFAD and representatives of its local organization, Claimants 1081, held a candlelight ceremony with both a moment of silence and of noise for the
desaparecidos—silence in prayer and remembrance and noise in the call for awareness on the issue of disappearance and for the ratification of the Convention.
AFAD Secretary-General Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso conveyed her thanks, on behalf of the Federation and the families of the
desaparecidos, to everyone who joined the occasion on the day of the disappeared. She said that despite the physical absence of our beloved
desaparecidos, their spiritual presence was “all the more pronounced” and would forever be as “they continue to accompany us in this dark night” of searching for justice.
Ms. Bacalso mentioned that since the establishment of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, “the total number of cases transmitted has reached 49,070, stating that Asia is the continent which submitted the highest number of cases to the Working Group.
In her statement, she reiterated the call for the Philippine government and all governments to sign and ratify the Convention and to respect the right to truth and the right not to be subjected to enforced disappearances for the ultimate goal of realizing “a world without
desaparecidos.”
The Performances
The artists’ performances highlighted the tribute concert with an excellent mix of artists and music genres brought together in this night of music to remember the
desaparecidos in the Philippines, in the rest of Asia, in Latin America and elsewhere in the world.
First artist on the set was Cookie Chua and her band. She sang the classic “Paglisan”, a song about leaving. The lyrics “…itong paglalakbay ay makakarating din sa paroroonan at sa iyong paglisan, ang tanging pabaon ko ay pag-ibig” (this journey will certainly reach its destiny and with your leaving, love is my sole gift) reflect both the ardent love of the families and friends of the
desaparecidos as well as the spirited quest to render the disappeared loved one justice.
Musician Jess Santiago, who is also known for his poetry and Filipino translation of Asian and Latin American poems, performed next.
Ms. Susan Fernandez, a musician, university faculty, and a favorite guest in NGO community, dedicated mellow love songs to the
desaparecidos.
A young music talent Maneses Esmero also rendered several songs for the disappeared and their families and relatives.
Mr. Noel Cabangon, another NGO-community favorite, serenaded the audience and paid special tribute to our “brothers and sisters” who were victims and survivors of involuntary disappearances and other injustices in society. He rendered a new song which centered on being a good citizen, even with small daily acts of obedience, respect, and goodwill. On a larger scale, the respect for basic rights of people also constitutes good citizenship. The audience eagerly joined the artist in singing the rest of the song and other familiar ones.
The AFAD members and staff led a candlelight ceremony and reading of solidarity messages from member organizations and other international groups. Meanwhile, the official song of the Federation entitled
“Desaparecidos” played in the background.
The final number was rendered by the group Brownman Revival, which blasted songs and music in reggae beat. It balanced the earlier melancholic mood. The upbeat songs drew the audience while the other renditions still captured the night’s theme, particularly the group’s version of
“Waiting in Vain.” This song somehow reminded all that the search for the disappeared and efforts towards a direction of a world without
desaparecidos should continue and not be in vain.
The concert was a fitting activity for the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared. It conveyed the significance of remembering the
desaparecidos and of the advocacy towards the ratification and popularization of the international convention. Remembrance and celebration through music, reading of personal accounts of disappearances, rendition of emotional songs and upbeat ones best captured the mix of emotions of survivors and relatives of the
desaparecidos. The title itself communicated a positive message that the “memories of the disappeared are still present in the hearts and minds of their loved ones and will not be forgotten. “
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Activities like this will continue to raise more awareness on the issue of disappearances until the search and quest for truth and justice are realized. Coverage by networks and more attendance from universities and other academic institutions will help to expand the reach of information dissemination and advocacy. After all, the mix of artists and music genres can easily reach out to various audiences. |
Solidarity Messages
 Another objective of the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared was to promote solidarity among organizations, victims, survivors, families, relatives, and friends of the
desaparecidos. In solidarity, AFAD similarly shouts “¡PRESENTE!” and joins the other organizations and families in remembering all the
desaparecidos around the world. In Latin America, “one way of remembering the disappeared loved ones is by calling out their names and shouting “¡presente!” to signify that the memories of the desaparecidos are still very much present in the hearts and minds of their families, relatives and friends; that the state may have erased them from the face of the earth but they shall never ever be
forgotten.”
The Federation also celebrates the successful adoption of the UN International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, most especially
“the signing by 72 states signifying their pledge to respect and safeguard people’s
rights.”
Advocacy Forum Nepal, an AFAD member-organization, issued a statement that it
“stands with the families of disappeared persons and demands that the whereabouts of those who have disappeared in Nepal are made public and those who have committed these crimes be brought to
justice.”
Various groups in Sri Lanka expressed solidarity with families of the disappeared in Sri Lanka and the rest of Asia and the world, and hope that their President will continue
“the support Sri Lanka extended towards the cause of international struggle against disappearances by taking immediate steps to ratify the UN International Convention Against Enforced
Disappearances.”
The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (Jammu and Kashmir), through its spokesperson Ghulam Nabi Mir, reiterated the belief that relatives and friends of the disappeared, united in the battle against the phenomenon of disappearances,
“are more than just survivors but warriors in the face of repression.” The group renewed its commitment for truth and justice and against impunity and disappearances until we achieve success. It was proper to commemorate the day of the disappeared every year as the phenomenon continues to happen not only in Asia but in other countries too.
In a joint statement, Paraguay – Argentina, FEDEFAM recalled
“the long road traveled in the search of life, truth and justice for our loved ones whose plight is addressed to public opinion and all democratic governments for the urgent need to strengthen and implement a series of policies absolutely necessary if this phenomenon is to be adequately
addressed.”
The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, in a statement on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, recognized the importance of the enforced disappearance phenomenon “by declaring a day to commemorate this terrible practice”. The Working Group viewed that these victims of involuntary disappearances
“whose fate or whereabouts remain unknown should not only be commemorated once a
year.” With the continuous nature of this crime and rights violation,
“everyday is a day of the disappeared,” the Working Group maintained. In addition, it called on governments to conduct investigations and work for resolutions of all cases of disappearances.
Just as more people, groups, governments, and countries continue campaigning by recognizing and addressing the disappearance phenomenon and particularly by ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance, so too, a brighter world “without
desaparecidos” shall be realized.
Rosa Bella Quindosa,is a freelance writer for non-government organizations in the Philippines. She is presently taking graduate studies in Communication Research in the University of the Philippines.
VOICE May 2008
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