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Secretary General at Risk |
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Compiled by GayToday International Gay & Lesbian Association
But because, like many battered wives, Carlson eventually returned to her husband's fortress, the backlash KALAKASAN experienced was quick to come. The KALAKASAN Director at that time was Anna Leah Sarabia, a women's rights activist, founder of the lesbian organization Can't Live in the Closet (CLIC), and the current Co-Secretary General of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). Farinas publicly berated and threatened Sarabia, using her lesbian identity as grounds to sue her for alleged "alienation of affection" and for convincing his wife to leave him. Curiously, despite Carlson's public plea to the authorities for help, and the resulting harassment that Sarabia was subjected to, not a single government agency intervened. In fact, Department of Social Welfare officials even criticized Sarabia for taking the agency to task for ignoring Carlson's pleas. The saga did not end there. Last November 23, Carlson jumped to her death in what the police described as suicide. As the person most closely identified with Carlson's case, Sarabia was asked if she thought that the suicide was related to Carlson's ordeal. For telling the truth, and for calling the public to action against domestic violence, Sarabia risked the wrath of Farinas. But Farinas was not prepared for the response. By a strange twist of fate, Carlson's death plunge came just two days before women's groups in the Philippines were to begin the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. Public forums on violence against women, television interviews, and even novenas of church women suddenly focused on the Carlson case. The public expressed its anger at Farinas and at government inaction by supporting these activities. The day after he buried his wife, Farinas launched a hate campaign against Sarabia, KALAKASAN and all "those women's groups" that are "just all lesbians." In interview after television interview after he buried his wife, Farinas mentioned "that Attorney Sarabia", "that lesbian". Without shame or fear, he announced "I will make them all pay" and "I will make her pay" for damaging his reputation. In the same manner that the government took no action five years ago, the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippines' second woman president, has said nothing, and done nothing. Despite public cries for an investigation of Farinas, of allegations of child abuse, and of his threats against Sarabia and women's groups, Arroyo has decided to ignore the entire problem. More than thirty women's NGOs have pleaded for the urgent passage of a Law against Domestic Violence, while the media and the public have raised the issue of women's human rights and the safety of women activists for three weeks now - but Arroyo has keep silent.
Please help us by spreading this message to all of your contacts and by writing to the following persons: 1. Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo President, Republic of the Philippines Malacanang Palace Manila Fax: +63-2-736-8621 Email: corres@op.gov.ph 2. Hon. Corazon Juliano Soliman Secretary Department of Social Welfare and Development Direct Line: +63-2-931-79-16 Fax # : +63-2-931-81-91 E-Mail Add.: dinky@miss.dswd.gov.ph 3. Hon. Atty. Aurora Recinia Chair, Commission on Human Rights Fax: +63-2-929-0102 email: apnr@chr.gov.ph 4.Hon. Aurora Javate de Dios Chair National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women Direct Line: +63-2-735-18-64 Fax # : +63-2-736-44-49 E-Mail Add.: board@ncrfw.gov.ph 5. Senator Franklin M. Drilon President Senate of the Philippines Direct Line: +63-2-552-67-81 or 552-68-76 Fax # : +63-2-551-29-93 E-Mail Add:. Fmd@sendrilon.org.ph 6. Representative Jose de Venecia Speaker House of Representatives Philippine Congress Direct Line: +63-2-931-62-16 Fax #: +63-2-931-55-56 You may also forward your messages of support to the Task Force on Justice for Maria Teresa Carlson and Other Victims of Violence against Women in the Home to kalakasan@iconn.com.ph and sarilaya@info.com.ph. Please send copies of your messages to ILGA at ilga@ilga.org. For further information, contact: Anna Leah Sarabia Mobile phone: +63 918 920 4552 Office: +63 2 924 4945 or 921 2222 E-mail: womedia@phil.gn.apc.org or w_lead@philonline.com.ph |
Maria Teresa Carlson: At the center of the storm 