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Group alleges abuses in economic zone

Poor communities displaced illegally to make way for project
Group alleges abuses in economic zone
Members of the international solidarity conduct an inquiry into alleged rights violations in Aurora province
Published: February 20, 2012 06:36 AM GMT
Updated: February 21, 2012 09:02 AM GMT

An international solidarity mission conducted over the weekend says "serious human rights violations" have occurred in the construction of a special economic zone in Aurora province. Swiss, Dutch and Filipino Church people, as well as activists who visited the building work at the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and nearby villages, say many communities have been displaced illegally to make way for the project. The group presented its findings to the Commission on Human Right (CHR) today. Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona of the Prelature of Infanta said the project "violates the dignity of people, especially the poor." Father Ben Verberne of the Dutch Conference of Religious said his group was able to validate and document the violations. Mark Cebreros of the CHR said the solidarity mission met with tribal people who complained of harassment and accused officials behind the project of land-grabbing. The mission called on the government to "review or repeal" the 2007 law that created the economic zone and send special investigators to conduct a public inquiry that will provide justice for landowners. The project, which covers 12,427 hectares, was given the go-ahead by congress in 2007 and is being overseen by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority. Senator Edgardo Angara and his son, Congressman Juan Edgardo Angara, who sponsored the laws creating the economic zone say the agricultural, manufacturing and industrial complex will provide a much-needed economic boost to the impoverished province. Ramon Fernando, deputy administrator of the economic zone, said congress conducted its own investigation at the economic zone last year and found no violations.

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