Urgent Action: FEARS OF TORTURE FOR ABDUCTED ACTIVIST (Philippines: UA 116.21)

Steve Abua, a land rights activist and community organizer of farmers and Indigenous Peoples, has been missing since he was abducted on November 6, 2021, in Central Luzon. Steve’s wife said his alleged abductors called her and asked her to convince her husband to admit that he is a member of an armed group, a tactic often used by Philippine authorities to silence human rights defenders and dissidents. The police and the military should exhaust all means possible to find Steve, ensure his safety and reunite him with his family.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on January 16, 2022.
2. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
3. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 116.21. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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SAMPLE LETTER Dear Lt. Gen. Burgos, I am writing to express alarm over the abduction of activist and land rights defender Steve Abua, who has been missing since November 6, 2021. According to his wife, Johanna, Steve was on his way to a meeting when he was forcibly taken by unidentified perpetrators either in Pampanga or in Bataan, both in Central Luzon which falls under your jurisdiction. It is distressing to learn that during a call with the abductors, Johanna was showed a video of Steve blindfolded, with his hands tied and mouth stuffed with a cloth. The abductors asked Johanna to convince Steve to admit he is a member of the armed group New People’s Army (NPA), which he is not according to Johanna. They also asked Johanna to meet with them along with their young daughter, which she refused to do. There is reason to believe the abductors may be connected with the government, as Johanna said they talked about the government giving Steve a chance to “change his ways”. I find the phenomenon of red-tagging in the Philippines incredibly alarming. Despite repeated commitments to respecting, protecting and promoting human rights, the government continues to falsely accuse activists and human rights defenders of being NPA members. Accusations that in fact increase attacks, including killings, against these individuals. Steve’s disappearance, which puts him at greater risk of torture and other ill-treatment, as well as the harassment of his family, paint an alarming picture of the state of human rights in the Philippines. Therefore, in line with your duties and obligations, I call on you to:

• Release Chen Mei immediately and unconditionally unless there is sufficient credible and admissible evidence that he has committed an internationally recognized offence and is granted a fair trial in line with international standards;
• Employ all means at your disposal to urgently locate Steve, guarantee his safety, and safely reunite him with his family;
• Investigate the circumstances of Steve’s abduction, and bring anyone suspected of criminal responsibility to account in fair trials;
• If he is in state custody, disclose his whereabouts immediately and release him unless he is charged with a recognizable offense, under international standards. Pending his release, ensure he is treated in line with international standards.
• Ensure the protection and promotion of the human rights of all people, including human rights defenders and activists who often bear the brunt of violations.

Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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