DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 Feb) — Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao will gather here this weekend to discuss environment, justice and human rights at a time when “peoples’ rights and conditions remain unchanged and neglected in the second Aquino administration.”
Lawyers, law students, paralegals and legal workers will be attending the 4th Mindanao Assembly of People’s Lawyers on February 24 and 25 at the Episcopal Mission Center, McArthur Highway, Matina.
The assembly is convened by the six-year old Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM)
“Our assembly comes at a time when peoples’ rights and conditions remain unchanged and neglected in the second Aquino administration. While this happens, justice remains elusive for survivors and victims of impunity; just peace remains to be seen in the course of the peace talks,” lawyers Frederico Gapuz, UPLM chair and Carlos Isagani Zarate, UPLM Secretary-General, said in their letter of invitation.
Roan Libarios of Butuan City, President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), will deliver the keynote address while Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares will give a national situationer.
“We would like to share this occasion with our partners and clientele— people’s organizations, institutions and NGOs, human rights victims and advocates, journalists, communities, and various sectors and multisectoral formations— for whom we dedicate our service and commitment towards equality and liberation,” the invitation read.
Attendance to the opening ceremonies from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, is by invitation only. (MindaNews)