Conejos nomination to IOM slammed

29 April 2009
PRESS RELEASE

Conejos nomination to IOM slammed

The militant Migrante International today slammed the Philippines’ nomination of DFA USec. Esteban Conejos to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Martinez said Conejos “has a proven track record of incompetence and wanton disregard to the plight of millions of OFWs; that if nominated to the global migration body, Conejos would spell disaster not only for OFWs and their families but for migrants the world over,”

Martinez said, under Conejos’ watch as Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, OFW Jenifer Bidoya was beheaded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia because he was not provided proper legal assistance by the Philippine Government, particularly Conejos’ office in the DFA. The migrant leader also noted that there are still 40 Filipinos awaiting execution in death rows all over the world.

Martinez also highlighted the case of OFW in Taiwan, Cecilia Alcaraz. Her case, according to Martinez, was bungled by the Philippine government when it didn’t appear to Alcaraz’s crucial hearing last April 1, 2009. The de-facto RP embassy in Taiwan and Cecilia’s lawyers failed to show up during the hearing because they were “busy.”

“The Arroyo regime should stop campaigning for Conejos to the IOM and focus on saving the life of Cecilia Alcaraz in Taiwan,” Martinez said, noting that the Taiwan Appellate Court is scheduled to hand down its final decision on her case May 4, 2009. ###

Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson
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