JAKARTA – Southeast Asian lawmakers have today urged authorities to stop prosecuting and harassing those who provide food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to immediately drop all charges and investigations against them.
“It’s nothing short of outrageous that the authorities are going after people for helping out during this health crisis,” said Eva Sundari, a former Member of Parliament (MP) in Indonesia, and board member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR). “What the authorities are doing is criminalising solidarity at a time when it is the most needed.”
On 28 April, Malaysian lawmaker and APHR’s Chair, Charles Santiago, along with his staff, were questioned by the police for allegedly breaching the country’s movement control order while distributing groceries and vegetables to his constituents. The MP and his staff are being investigated for allegedly spreading a “disease dangerous to life” under the Penal Code and for disobeying orders under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act. Charles Santiago had received prior approval for food distribution from the Welfare Department.
In the Philippines, former Congressman Ariel Casilao, who is also an APHR member, has been charged with non-cooperation under the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and “usurpation of authority” and six other relief volunteers, with non cooperation and inciting sedition.
The group was arrested on 19 April while delivering food assistance to residents of Sitio Kalye Onse in Bulacan. According to legal documents, the volunteers had obtained permits to deliver the goods. Following their arrest the group was detained for four days at the Norzagaray Municipal Police Station until their release on bail on 22 April. Their arraignment is expected to be heard after the lockdown in Manila is lifted, which is currently scheduled until 15 May.
Casilao is a former representative from the opposition party Anakpawis, and the six volunteers are part of joint relief drives for urban and rural poor families initiated by Anakpawis party and farmer organisations. Members of the Anakpawis party, which represents trade unions and farmers, have previously faced reprisals under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“There’s no way charging people for supporting those in the community is helping fight against COVID-19, so the only other explanation is that there’s something much more sinister at play; that this is merely an excuse for the authorities to strengthen their hold on power,” added Sundari.
“The fact that aid distribution is needed just shows the dramatic impact that lockdowns and movement restrictions can have on some of us. Instead of shutting down those who are stepping up to help, States should take swift action to ensure those in need can eat,” said Sundari.
Background:
Since the outbreak began, thousands of people have been arrested for flouting laws put in place to tackle the spread of the coronavirus. For example, nearly 30,000 individuals, including activists and those living in poverty, have been arrested for violating the quarantine measure in the Philippines. While in Malaysia, over 20,600 have been arrested thus far for breaching the movement control order.
