JOINT STATEMENT OF MALAYSIAN-PHILIPPINE CSOs Standoff in Lahad Datu : Engage in Dialogue Now with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully March 8, 2013 We the undersigned Civil Society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and Philippines are extremely concerned over the on-going standoff between the Malaysian security forces and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu’s heirs, Jamalul Kiram III at Lahad Datu, Sabah. We the CSOs, together with all individuals, organizations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, to disavow all forms of violence, and instead support dialogue as the primary mechanism for a resolution to the siege. We are very concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the surrounding villages and we would like to see a peaceful solution to resolve this ongoing problem. According to media reports, at least sixty (60) people have been killed in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kampung Tanduo, Sabah. We believe the situation in Lahad Datu requires swift and peaceful intervention. We urge all parties to resist from using force while remaining committed to dialogue and negotiation throughout this process. We are also very concerned with the lack of real-time information with respect to what has actually taken place so far in Lahad Datu. Up to this point the information received through the Malaysian news media lacks transparency and created unnecessary rumours and assumptions about the situation. The people have the right to get the information on on-going issues in Sabah. In this context, we call on the governments of Malaysia and Philippines and the Sultanate of Sulu to: Immediately declare a HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE so that agencies concerned can take immediate measures to ensure the safety of women, children, elderly and other vulnerable persons in the affected area. And provide “safe zones” where humanitarian organizations and relevant agencies can install facilities to be accessed by those who are injured and require immediate medical care; Take immediate steps to end the use of violence and to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully. Take proper measures to ensure that in the process of resolving the crisis, the human rights of everyone involved are respected and protected especially civilians from Lahad Datu, Semporna and nearby villages; Take immediate measures to secure the safety of journalists who chose to access the area at all times to ensure fair reporting and dissemination of information to the general public; Cease and desist from using excessive force and armed violence to end the prevailing conflict. Initiate an independent and impartial investigation into the killings that has taken place and make the findings of the investigation public. We fervently dissuade all the principals involved from brinkmanship by instead living up to your respective legacies as genuine leaders of your people with honor and dignity. We urge you to come to terms with the unfolding of events that has serious implications on many lives and social institutions. We all can’t afford that this will escalate into a grave humanitarian crisis spilling over into other nearby villages aside from Lahad Datu and Semporna, Sabah. Time is of the essence. The world is looking at you, now. Contacts details: Nalini Elumalai SUARAM Malaysia [email protected]/+60193758912 Gus Miclat, Jr Executive Director of Initiatives for International Dialogue [email protected] Civil Society of Malaysia and Philippines ============================================================ Signatories: MALAYSIA Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) Tenaganita Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) JUMP ALIRAN (Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara) Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) Justice for Sisters Seksualiti Merdeka Pusat KOMAS Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS) Community Action Network (CAN) Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor Community Development Centre (CDC) Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA) All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) PHILIPPINES Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBCP) Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF) Agri-Aqua Development Coalition, Mindanao AGONG Peace Network, Mindanao Akbayan Citizens Action Party Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc Banwaon One Tribe, One Territory, Mindanao Center for Peace Education – Miriam College Citizen’s Peace Watch Civil Peace Service Program – Southern Christian College Coalition of Social Development Organizations Coalition for the Development of Sibuguey – Western Mindanao Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Council of Organized Social Service Agencies in Mindanao Derepa te Erumanen ne Menuvu, Mindanao Focus on the Global South -Philippines Gitib Inc., Mindanao GZO Peace Institute Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP) Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD) Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP) IQRAA Islam Foundation KAGDUMA, Incorporated, Mindanao Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay (KAMP) Kebager te Ked-Inged, Mindanao Kahugpongan sa Mindanaw KAISA Landcare Foundation of the Philippines, Inc Lumad Mindanaw Peoples’ Federation Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) Secretariat Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies – Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center Mindanao Congress of Development NGOs and NGIs –Mindanao Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN) Network for Transformative Social Protection Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) Partnership of Philippine Support Services Agencies – Mindanao Pakigdait, Incorporated Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) Pasaday Manobo Association (PAMAAS) Pax Christi Institute – Philippines Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) People’s Alternative Studies Center for Research & Education in Social Dev’t (PASCRES) People’s Global Exchange (PGX) Philippine Human Rights Information Center (Philrights) Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) Philippine Business for Social Progress - Mindanao Philippine Partnership for the Devt of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA) Redemptorist Center for Social and Ecological Concerns – Mindanao SANLAKAS SANLAKAS-Youth SOCSKSARGEN Sociological Society SPREAD – Oblates of Notre Dame Sulong CARHRIHL Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) Women Engaged in Action on 1325 (We Act 1325) Women’s Human Rights and Legal Bureau (WLB) World March of Women – Pilipinas Young Moro Professionals Pinay Kilos Derepa te Erumanen ne Menuvu Mindanao Indigenous People Women Development REGIONAL/GLOBAL Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict – Southeast Asia (SEA-GPPAC) Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) ALTSEAN- Burma Asia-Pacific Movement on Debt & Development (JSAPMDD) Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP) International Peace Bureau (IPB) ISIS International Media Defense- Southeast Asia BANGLADESH Humanitywatch NABODHARA, Bangladesh BURMA/MYANMAR Generation Wave Institute CAMBODIA Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF) EAST TIMOR East Timor Students Solidarity Council (ETSSC) GERMANY Asienstiftung (German Asia Foundation) Philippinenbüro – Asienhaus INDIA Burma Centre Delhi NEPAL All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa) All Nepal Women Association (ANWA) PAKISTAN Center For Peace & Civil Society (CPCS) INDIVIDUALS Prof. Anuradha Chenoy, University of India Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, University of India Mr. Ramon Casiple, IPER, Philippines Ms. Sia Phearum, Director, HRTF Cambodia Mmk, Tggw, Myanmar .