Ei-iE

Calling for the immediate dismissal of trumped-up charges against Rep. France Castro and the Talaingod 18

Resolution from the 10th World Congress

published 2 August 2024 updated 15 October 2024
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The 10th Education International (EI) World Congress, meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 29 July to 2 August 2024:

  1. WHEREAS, Representative France Castro, a dedicated educator, union leader, and elected member of the Philippine House of Representatives, along with 17 other human rights defenders collectively known as the Talaingod 18, face baseless and politically motivated charges;
  2. WHEREAS, these charges stem from their humanitarian mission in November 2018 to provide relief and support to the displaced Lumad indigenous communities in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, who have been victims of militarisation and human rights violations;
  3. WHEREAS, the criminalisation of humanitarian work and advocacy for Indigenous Peoples' right to education is a clear attack on human rights defenders, teachers, and union leaders;
  4. WHEREAS, these charges are part of a broader pattern of harassment and intimidation against progressive educators, unionists, and human rights advocates in the Philippines;
  5. WHEREAS, such actions by the Philippine government violate international human rights standards, including the right to freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right to defend human rights.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 10th World Congress of EI:

  1. Strongly condemns the ongoing persecution of Rep. France Castro and the Talaingod 18;
  2. Calls on the Philippine government to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Rep. France Castro and the Talaingod 18;
  3. Urges the Philippine government to cease all forms of harassment and intimidation against educators, union leaders, and human rights defenders;
  4. Demands that the Philippine government respect and protect the right to freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right to defend human rights;
  5. Calls on all member organisations of Education International to express solidarity with Rep. France Castro, the Talaingod 18, and all educators and unionists facing persecution in the Philippines;
  6. Requests the Education International leadership to communicate this resolution to the Philippine government and to monitor and report on the situation of educators and unionists in the Philippines.