FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2008
Contact: Leah Obias, DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association, 212-564-6057, contact@damayanmigrants.org
New York—It has been ninety-one days since former Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Lauro Baja has been charged with trafficking, forced labor and racketeering by domestic worker Marichu Baoanan.
The Philippine government has so far done nothing to ensure the pursuit of justice.
This week, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo are in New York City for the United Nations 63rd General Assembly. Marichu is seizing the opportunity and demanding a meeting with top Philippine officials to directly deliver a message: waive Baja's diplomatic immunity so that the legal case can proceed. Bajas is attempting to invoke diplomatic immunity to dismiss the charges against him, his family and his business.
"Pakiramdam ko walang silbi ang Philippine Mission at Philippine Consulate," says Marichu. "Wala silang ginagawa." (I feel that the Philippine Mission and Consulate are useless. They are not doing anything.)
The case and campaign, led by DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association, has drawn international news and front-page headlines, as well as international outrage. More than 30 organizations from across North America have endorsed the campaign and are supporting the call to waive Baja's diplomatic immunity.
"The Bajas' receipt of 250,000 pesos from Marichu and use of the Labaire travel agency to traffick Marichu to the United States clearly lies outside his diplomatic responsibilities," explains DAMAYAN organizer Ana Liza Caballes. "The Philippine government must act to hold Baja accountable for violating the human rights of Marichu."
Last August 1, Marichu formally submitted a letter to the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Baja's former post, requesting assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs, via the Philippine Mission.
"Parang nagbibingihan sila at binabalewala nila ang civil suit ko," adds Marichu. "Pag tinatawagan namin sila, nilalaro-laro kami, ginagawa kaming tanga ." (They really do not listen and do not care about my civil suit. When we call them, they just play with us and make us feel stupid.)
Though the Philippine Mission publicly claims that this is an isolated incident, DAMAYAN asserts that the abuse of Filipino domestic workers by diplomats is a much larger problem—commonly-known among DAMAYAN's 500-plus membership and affirmed by the Government Accountability Office report released last July 29.
DAMAYAN is calling for faxes and emails to be sent to Philippine consulates and UN Missions worldwide supporting Marichu's demand for a waiver of Baja's diplomatic immunity.
Marichu concludes, "Pag nabalewala ang kaso ko, mas lalong mang- aabuso sila Baja. Kailangang magkaroon ng hustisya para magkaroon ng pag-asa ang mga ibang inaabuso." (If the case is dismissed, the Bajas will continue to take advantage. There needs to be justice so that there can be hope for others who are also abused.)
The seven days of action to waive diplomatic immunity is from September 23rd to October 1st and is part of the Justice for Marichu! End Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery of all Domestic Workers Campaign. To take part in the international action, please visit www.endtrafficking.blogspot.com or call 212-564-6057.
