Stand with Filipino human rights defenders! Call on Canada to support peace and prioritize justice. Sign the petition!
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
—Matthew 5:9
The United Church of Canada, alongside our ecumenical partners, stands in solidarity with those working tirelessly to secure peace and justice in the Philippines. Together, we have sent a joint advocacy letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly urging Canada to prioritize human rights and support the resumption of peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
For over five decades, the people of the Philippines have endured militarization, martial law, counter-insurgency campaigns, and human rights violations. Human rights defenders, Indigenous communities, and civil society groups have been red-tagged, targeted, and silenced. The Marcos Jr. administration continues to perpetuate these injustices, even as hope flickers with recent commitments from the GRP and NDFP to reengage in peace talks.
Standing in Solidarity
In our advocacy letter, we call on Canada to
- publicly support the resumption of peace negotiations
- audit its financial, programmatic, and military support to the Philippines to ensure it does not contribute to human rights abuses
- suspend negotiations for the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and halt defence cooperation until verifiable progress on human rights is achieved
We believe Canada’s public encouragement and diplomatic efforts can play a critical role in advancing peace and justice in the Philippines.
Take Action: Sign the Petition
In solidarity with our partners, we invite you to sign the petition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling for an end to Canada’s military support for the Marcos régime. By signing, you join a growing interfaith and global movement calling for accountability, the repeal of harmful policies, and the protection of human rights defenders.
Pray for Peace and Justice
God of Peace,
We lift up our Filipino siblings, who risk their lives for justice and freedom.
Guide us as we stand in solidarity with them,
and strengthen their courage as they seek peace.
Amen.
Together, let us embody Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice.
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