A forum on the current stumbling blocks to a lasting peace
On February 8, 2023, BAYAN will host a forum to discuss the crucial topic of how to attain a just and lasting peace in the wake of the decades-long armed conflict between the Philippine government and the revolutionary forces of the CPP-NPA and NDFP. Instead of addressing the underlying issues that fuel the armed conflict, government policies have unfortunately exacerbated the situation.
Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law as a consequence of the government’s counterinsurgency (COIN) programs continue to occur unabated; red-tagging/terrorist labeling and vilification of legitimate organizations are widespread and unrelenting; and the criminalization of political dissent persists. Close to a thousand political prisoners and counting continue to languish in jail under the current administration. Civilian communities have borne the brunt of the mass displacement and economic dislocation wrought by the series of COIN campaigns undertaken by the Philippine government.
History has taught us that the scorched earth policy is not the solution to ending armed conflict. The solution therefore is addressing the roots of social injustice. National liberation movements are built upon this premise. GRP-NDFP peace negotiations for a just peace must be resumed in order to arrive at a political settlement that can end the armed conflict. The practice of designating revolutionaries and peace consultants as terrorists must be put to an end. These are obstacles in achieving just and lasting peace.
The forum will kick off our campaign to delist the aforementioned revolutionary organizations in order to lay the ground for peace talks resumption.
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