Dutch envoy insults victims by calling PPT a kangaroo court

MANILA - "It's such a shame that the Dutch ambassador dismissed an
international juridical body as a kangaroo court. He had just faulted
victims for filing their complaints at the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal
(PPT)."

This was the statement of the Philippine human rights group Karapatan
after Dutch Ambassador Robert Vornis said that the Permanent People's
Tribunal is a kangaroo court.

"That he dismissed an esteemed international juridical body to be a
kangaroo court is insulting to victims and rights advocates," said
Karapatan Public Information Officer Ruth Cervantes.

Cervantes said Vornis' statement has been wittingly or unwittingly
used by Malacañang to boost its flagging credibility on the unending
phenomena of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and
other human rights violations.

"We urge Mr. Vornis to read the verdict and to know the other side of
the coin," Karapatan said, adding that Mr. Vornis could be
misinformed when the ambassador said the Philippine government was not
invited by the PPT.

Karapatan said that in accordance with the PPT's statutes, a formal
invitation to attend the Second Session on the Philippines was sent
earlier to Mrs. Arroyo and President George W. Bush of the United
States of America, through their respective governments' embassies in
Rome, Italy and in The Hague, The Netherlands. The invitation to hear
the side of the accused parties or their representatives was once
again extended during the opening session of the PPT last 21 March. No
reply was received by the Tribunal.

"We hope that he will exercise caution in issuing statements and not
make hasty conclusions so as to please the Philippine government while
offending the victims who have been frustrated in their quest for
justice in this country," Cervantes said.

The PPT heard testimonies of witnesses of political killings and
abductions, expert testimonies and boxes of documents, and other
evidences to support three major charges against the two governments.
"The complainants sought the tribunal because they believed it was
independent and credible. They argued their case and won, no one has
the right to deny them of the victory and justice they deserved."###