Shattered Peace in Mindanao: the human cost of conflict in the ...

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SHATTERED PEACE IN MINDANAOTHE HUMAN COST OF CONFLICT IN THE PHILIPPINESProspects for peace looked positive until armed conflict escalatedbringing the Mindanao region of southern Philippines to the brink ofa possible human rights crisis, as allegations of abuse surface intestimonies from among the 600,000 people who have fled to escapethe violence.Fighting escalated on 4 August 2008, when the Philippine Supreme Courtdelayed formally signing the “Memorandum of Agreement on AncestralDomain”. The Memorandum increased the autonomous territory ofMuslim Mindanao and signaled the beginning of the end for the 40-yearconflict in the region. In response, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)fighters launched attacks against civilians, and fighting between thesecurity forces and the MILF intensified.Based on research and ongoing monitoring, this report shows the humanrights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law takingplace during the conflict. More than 100 civilians have been killed,hundreds have been severely injured and subjected to inhumanetreatment, unlawful killings and destruction of property.Amnesty InternationalInternational SecretariatPeter Benenson House1 Easton StreetLondon WC1X 0DWUnited KingdomOn 14 October 2008, the Supreme Court ruled the Memorandum“unconstitutional” increasing the risk of a further escalation in fighting.The Philippine security forces and the MILF must immediately stoptargeting civilians, observe international humanitarian law, ensurehumanitarian access to all affected people, and co-operate in theindependent, impartial, prompt and thorough investigation of allallegations of human rights abuse.www.amnesty.orgIndex: ASA 35/008/2008October 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Introduction and summary…………………………….………………………..11.1 Key recommendations………………………….………………………….52. Laws governing non-international armed conflict.……………………………63. A brief history of the Mindanao conflict………………………………………..83.1. The recent escalation of conflict in Mindanao……………………..…114. A looming humanitarian crisis………………………………………………..145. Human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law bythe Moro Islamic Liberation Front………………………………………..………225.1 North Cotabato province…………………………………………………235.2 Lanao del Norte province…………………...…………………………...266. Violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by thePhilippine security forces……………………..……………………………….....316.1 Arming civilians.…………………………………………………………..367. Recommendations……………………………………………………………..38AI Index: ASA 35/008/2008 Amnesty International October 2008
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