October 5th: Filipino human rights leader touring

From the Philippine Solidarity Network of Aotearoa:

Marie Hilao-Enriquez is the head of Karapatan, one of the biggest and best known human rights groups in the Philippines, and travels the world on its behalf. She is currently an official observer at the Oslo peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Communists (there has been a civil war for 35 years).

She has accepted PSNA's invitation to undertake a speaking tour this year. Her topic will be "the Philippines as America's 'Second Front In The War On Terror' and the Impact on Human Rights."

The Bush Administration is running amok and using war as its first response in any situation it doesn't like. In the early 1990s, a massive people's movement ended nearly a century of US military bases in the Philippines. But Bush and his allies in the Philippines are using the "War On Terror" and the decades-old armed struggle being waged by Muslim separatists in the south as a pretext to get back in. Human rights have been trampled on.

We thank the many organisations and individuals whose generosity has made this tour possible. Our budget is $5,000 and money is still needed. Please make cheques to PSNA, with a note saying that it is for the Hilao-Enriquez Tour, and send to

PSNA
PO Box 2450
Christchurch
New Zealand

Marie is speaking on Tuesday October 5th, 8pm at the Trade Union Centre, 199 Armagh St.

Contact: Murray Horton ph/fax 3663988
email cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

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Itinerary

Monday October 4 – Dunedin. Dunningham Suite, Dunedin Public Library (Fourth Floor), 230 Moray Place. 7.30 p.m. Contact: Maureen Howard, ph (03) 4778502 (w); fax (03) 4778958 (w); e-mail: metiria@southnet.co.nz

Tuesday 5 – Christchurch. Trade Union Centre (First Floor), 199 Armagh Street. 8 p.m. Contact: Murray Horton, ph/fax (03) 3663988 (day/night); e-mail: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

Wednesday 6 – Nelson. St John’s Church Hall, Hardy Street, 7.30 p.m. Contact: Anne FitzSimon, ph (03) 5390527; mobile 021 1123890; e-mail: anne.f@clear.net.nz

Thursday 7– Wellington. Loaves and Fishes, Hill Street. 7 p.m.

Contact: Lisa Beech, ph (04) 4961765 (w); fax (04) 4962519 (w); home phone (04) 5646637; e-mail: lisa@caritas.org.nz

Monday 11 – Palmerston North. Te Whare Akonga, Open Learning Centre. Second Floor, Westside Chambers, 181-185 The Square, along from Rangitikei Street. 7.30 p.m Contact: Dion Martin, ph (06) 3569658 (w); fax (06) 3591333 (w); e-mail: dmartin@nduunion.org.nz

Wednesday 13 – Auckland. Trades Hall, 347 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7 p.m. Contact: Luke Coxon; ph (09) 8276059; mobile 021 2487005; e-mail: luke.coxon@finsec.org.nz

Thursday 14 – Whangarei. Pat Irving Lounge, St Johns Church Centre, 149 Kamo Road, Kensington. 7 p.m. Contact: Tim Howard, ph (09) 4346633 (h); (09) 4307464 (w); e-mail: the-farm@ihug.co.nz

Friday 15 – Auckland, end of tour.