At FORUM-ASIA, we employ a range of strategies to effectively achieve our goals and create a lasting impact.

Through a diverse array of approaches, FORUM-ASIA is dedicated to achieving our objectives and leaving a lasting imprint on human rights advocacy.

Who we work with

Our interventions are meticulously crafted and ready to enact tangible change, addressing pressing issues and empowering communities.

Each statements, letters, and publications are meticulously tailored, poised to transform challenges into opportunities, and to empower communities towards sustainable progress.

Multimedia Stories
publications

With a firm commitment to turning ideas into action, FORUM-ASIA strives to create lasting change that leaves a positive legacy for future generations.

Explore our dedicated sub-sites to witness firsthand how FORUM-ASIA turns ideas into action, striving to create a legacy of lasting positive change for future generations.

Subscribe our monthly e-newsletter

Malaysia/Philippines – Standoff in Lahad Datu: Engage in Dialogue Now with All Stakeholders to Resolve the Crisis Peacefully

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

JOINT STATEMENT OF PHILIPPINE-MALAYSIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

Standoff in Lahad Datu: Engage in Dialogue Now with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully

We the undersigned Civil Society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and Philippines are extremely concerned over the on-going standoff between the Malaysian security forces and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu’s heirs, Jamalul Kiram III at Lahad Datu, Sabah. We the CSOs, together with all individuals, organizations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, to disavow all forms of violence, and instead supports dialogue as the primary mechanism for a resolution to the siege.

We are very concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the surrounding villages and we would like to see a peaceful solution to resolve this ongoing problem. According to media reports, at least 43 people have been killed in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kampung Tanduo, Sabah.

We believe the situation in Lahad Datu requires swift and peaceful intervention. We urge all parties to resist from using force while remaining committed to dialogue and negotiation throughout this process.

We are also very concerned with the lack of real-time information with respect to what has actually taken place so far in Lahad Datu. Up to this point the information received through the Malaysian news media lacked transparency and created unnecessary rumors and assumptions about the situation. The people have the right to get information on on-going issues in Sabah.

In this context, we call on the governments of Malaysia and Philippines and the Sultanate of Sulu to:

  • Immediately declare a HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE so that agencies concerned can take immediate measures to ensure the safety of women, children, elderly and other vulnerable persons in the affected area. And provide “safe zones” where humanitarian organizations and relevant agencies can install facilities to be accessed by those who are injured and require immediate medical care;
  • Take immediate steps to end the use of violence and to engage in DIALOGUE with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully.
  • Take proper measures to ensure that in the process of resolving the crisis, the human rights of everyone involved are respected and protected especially civilians from Lahad Datu, Semporna and nearby villages;
  • Take immediate measures to secure the safety of journalists who chose to access the area at all times to ensure fair reporting and dissemination of information to the general public;
  • Cease and desist from using excessive force and armed violence to end the prevailing conflict;
  • Initiate an independent and impartial investigation into the killings that has taken place and make the findings of the investigation public.

We fervently dissuade all the principals involved from brinkmanship by instead living up to your respective legacies as genuine leaders of your people with honor and dignity.

Time is of the essence. The world is looking at you, now.

Signed :

MALAYSIA

    Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
    Tenaganita
    Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)
    JUMP
    ALIRAN
    Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility
    Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
    Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
    Justice for Sisters
    Seksualiti Merdeka
    Pusat KOMAS
    Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan
    Community Action Network (CAN)
    Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
    Community Development Centre (CDC)

PHILIPPINES

    Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW)
    Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
    Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID)
    Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBCP)
    Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF)
    Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)
    Agri-Aqua Development Coalition, Mindanao
    AGONG Peace Network, Mindanao
    Akbayan Citizens Action Party
    Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan (AKKAPKA)
    Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
    Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA)
    Arya Progresibo
    Balay Mindanao Foundation, Inc
    Banwaon One Tribe, One Territory, Mindanao
    Billah Islam C.O.R.D
    Business and Professional Women Ormoc (BPWO)
    Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
    Center for Peace Education – Miriam College
    Citizen’s Peace Watch
    Civil Peace Service Program – Southern Christian College
    Community Organizers Multiversity (CO Multiversity)
    Coalition for ARMM Reform and Transformation (CART)
    Coalition of Ormoc Women (COW)
    Coalition of Social Development Organizations
    Coalition for the Development of Sibuguey – Western Mindanao
    Coffee for Peace, Inc
    Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance
    Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society
    Council of Organized Social Service Agencies in Mindanao
    Derepa te Erumanen ne Menuvu, Mindanao
    Focus on the Global South -Philippines
    Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
    Gender and Development Advocates (GANDA) Filipinas
    Generation Peace
    Gitib Inc., Mindanao
    GZO Peace Institute
    Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP)
    Institute for Comparative and Advanced Studies (ICAS Phils)
    Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
    Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP)
    IQRAA Islam Foundation, Davao del Norte
    Kabataan Consortium, Inc., Davao City
    KAGDUMA, Incorporated, Mindanao
    Khairul Bariyyah Youth Movement
    Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay (KAMP)
    Kebager te Ked-Inged, Mindanao
    Kahugpongan sa Mindanaw
    Khairul Bariyyah Youth Movement (KBYM)
    Landcare Foundation of the Philippines, Inc
    Lawyers’ League for Liberty (LIBERTAS)
    Lumad Mindanaw Peoples’ Federation
    Luna Legal Resource Center for Women and Children, Inc., Davao City
    Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement
    Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference
    Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) Secretariat
    Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies – Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center
    Mindanao Congress of Development NGOs and NGIs –Mindanao
    Mindanao Indigenous People Women Development
    Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN)
    Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan, UP Diliman (KAISA)
    Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
    Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
    Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
    Partnership of Philippine Support Services Agencies – Mindanao
    Pakigdait, Incorporated, Mindanao
    Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet – Negros (PsP-N)
    Pagtinabangay Foundation
    Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
    Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)
    Pasaday Manobo Association (PAMAAS)
    Pax Christi Institute
    Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ)
    Peacebuilders Community, Inc
    People’s Alternative Studies Center for Research & Education in Social Dev’t (PASCRES)
    People’s Global Exchange (PGX)
    Peoplex27
    Philwomen on ASEAN
    Philippine Action Network to Control Arms
    Philippine Human Rights Information Center (Philrights)
    Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
    Philippine Business for Social Progress – Mindanao
    Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court
    Philippine Partnership for the Devt of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA)
    Philippine Rural and Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
    Pinay Kilos
    Province of Zamboanga Sibugay Rubber Farmers Association (PZSRFA)
    Rajah Buayan Cultural Institute (RBCI),Mindanao
    Redemptorist Center for Social and Ecological Concerns – Mindanao
    Shariful hashim Cultural university (ShacuS)
    Silsilah Dialogue Movement
    SANLAKAS
    SANLAKAS-Youth
    SARILAYA
    Shariful Hashim Cultural University (SHACUS)
    Social Organization Safeguarding Ecological Advancement Related to Humanity (SOS-EARTH)
    SOCSKSARGEN Sociological Society
    SPREAD – Oblates of Notre Dame
    Sulong CARHRIHL
    Sultan Kudarat Active-People’s Network (SKAN)
    Tambayan Center for Children’s, Inc.
    Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
    Tausug Global Media – Jolo, Sulu
    Textile Clothing Footwear Ormoc (TCFO)
    The Peacemaker Circle Foundation
    United Transport Workers Organization (UTWO)
    WomanHealth Philippines
    Women and Gender Institute
    Women Engaged in Action on 1325 (We Act 1325-Philippines)
    Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB)
    World March of Women – Pilipinas
    Young Moro Professionals Network, Inc
    Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA)

REGIONAL/GLOBAL

    Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
    Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict – Southeast Asia (SEA-GPPAC)
    Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
    Alternatives – Asia
    Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN- Burma)
    Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
    Asia-Pacific Movement on Debt & Development (JSAPMDD)
    Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia)
    Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
    International Peace Bureau (IPB)
    ISIS International
    Media Defense South East Asia (MD-SEA)
    Migrant Forum Asia (MFA)
    Network for Transformative Social Protection (NTSP-Asia)
    South East Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA)

BANGLADESH

    Humanitywatch
    NABODHARA, Bangladesh
    Participatory Research & Action Network (PRAN)
    VOICE, Bangladesh

BURMA/MYANMAR

    Generation Wave Institute

CAMBODIA

    Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF)

EAST TIMOR

    East Timor Students Solidarity Council (ETSSC)

FRANCE

    Europe solidaire sans frontièrezs (ESSF)

GERMANY

    Asienstiftung (German Asia Foundation)
    Philippinenbüro – Asienhaus

INDIA

    Burma Centre Delhi

INDONESIA

    Center for Community Development and Education (CCDE – Aceh)
    Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP)
    IMPARSIAL, Indonesian Human Rights Monitor
    Lembaga Bantuan Hukum / Legal Aid Institute (LBH-BALI)
    Lembaga Bantuan Hukum / Legal Aid Institute (LBH-Makassar)
    Lembaga Bantuan Hukum /Legal Aid Institute (LBH – Pers Padang)
    Lembaga Bantuan Hukum / Legal Aid Institute (LBH-Jakarta)
    Solidaritas Perempuan (SP)
    Yamakindo
    Yayasan Transformasi Lepra Indonesia

NEPAL

    All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa)
    All Nepal Women Association (ANWA)
    Campaign for Climate Justice Nepal (CCJN)

PAKISTAN

    Center For Peace & Civil Society (CPCS)

SINGAPORE

    Think Centre

THAILAND

    People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF)
    Women’s Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE) – Thailand

USA

    National Organization of Asian Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence (NAPIESV)

INDIVIDUALS

    Anbony Cuanico, Philippines
    Chayie Maligalig, Philippines
    Crystal Yeldes Flores, Philippines
    Denz Bazada, Philippines
    Edgardo Beltran, Philippines
    Eleanor Trinchera, Philippines
    Fr. Angel Calvo, Mindanao PeaceWeavers, Philippines
    Ganesson Suppiah, Malaysia
    Gani Serrano, President, PRRM – Philippines
    Hew Li Huang, Malaysia
    Howard Ng, Malaysia
    Japs Hatta, Philippines
    James Mante, Philippines
    Jean Justimbaste, Philippines
    Jenny Aulin, Philippines
    Joan Makau, Philippines
    Jun Enriquez, Philippines
    Juvinal Dias, Timor Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis, Timor Leste
    Ka Rene Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Philippines
    Kevin Kettle, Bangkok,Thailand
    KP Lee, Malaysia
    Loch na Menon, Malaysia
    Ma. Lisa Betita Fontanilla, Philippines
    Marishel Gapit, Philippines
    Mayor Ronnel Lim, Sorsogon, Philippines
    Michael Teng, Malaysia
    Mmk Tggw, Myanmar
    Monse dela Cruz, Philippines
    Muhammad AwisAl Qarni, Malaysia
    Noel A. Hernandez, Philippines
    O.g. Abesamis, Philippines
    Pastor Dann Pantoja, Peacebuilders Community, Mindanao, Philippines
    Prof. Abdullah Grande Mamacotao, Philippines
    Prof. Anuradha Chenoy, University of India
    Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, University of India
    Prof Keshab Khadka, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
    Pua Wah Lum, Malaysia
    Ramon Casiple, IPER, Philippines
    Rasol Abbas, Philippines
    Raul Gatinao, Philippines
    Roland Fortun, Philippines
    Roy Calfoforo, Philippines
    Sia Phearum, Director, HRTF, Cambodia
    Sittie Guinomla, Philippines
    The Pplway Jian Min, Malaysia
    Vincent Fung, Malaysia
    Yok Foo Looi Looi, Malaysia
    Yvette Mah, Malaysia


PHILIPPINE PETITION CAMPAIGN CONTACTS:

Lyndee Prieto
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) – Secretariat
Mobile:(+63) 9177247579
Email : [email protected]

Malou Tabios Nuera
IID-Manila Office
Asia Pacific Solidarity Action (APSOC) – Secretariat
Phone: (+632) 9110205; (+632) 4352900
Mobile: (+63) 9177247580
Email: [email protected]

Please click here to download the PDF file.