Responding to the discovery of the body in Gapan City of Reynaldo de Guzman, a 14-year-old boy who had been missing for nearly three weeks, Amnesty International’s Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, James Gomez, said:

“How many more children must die in the Philippines to end this horrific and heartless violence? Reynaldo de Guzman’s family has had to endure the anxiety of his disappearance followed by the unimaginable grief of discovering his body with stab wounds and his head wrapped in packing tape.”

“This is not an isolated case or a mistake, but the latest atrocity in a wave of unlawful killings that has claimed the lives of more than 50 children and thousands of other Filipinos.”

“This is not an isolated case or a mistake, but the latest atrocity in a wave of unlawful killings that has claimed the lives of more than 50 children and thousands of other Filipinos.”

“Extrajudicial executions of people are never justified, and when it comes to killing children this is especially horrific, brutally cutting short budding lives and condemning their families to a lifetime of inconsolable sadness. This case and those of other young people makes it even more urgent that an international level investigation takes place. The world can no longer afford to look away, stay silent, or offer muted expressions of condemnation. The brutality must stop. The victims and their families deserve justice.”

Background

Reynaldo de Guzman, a school boy who was said by his mother to have carried out informal labour to earn extra money, was last seen on 18 August 2017 with 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz. The news of Reynaldo de Guzman’s disappearance emerged when Carl Arnaiz was killed, allegedly in a ‘shootout’ with the police who claimed he attempted to rob a taxi driver.

The mystery of their tragic circumstances is heightened by the fact that their bodies were discovered in two different towns, several hours apart from each other. On Wednesday, local police said that Reynaldo de Guzman’s body was discovered the day before in Gapan city, some two and a half hours outside Manila.

Carl Arnaiz’s body was discovered on 28 August 2017, ten days after he was killed, in Caloocan, a city on the outskirts of Metro Manila. Forensics reports said that Carl Arnaiz had been subjected to torture and shot at close range when he was kneeling or lying down.

The Myanmar authorities’ restrictions on international aid in Rakhine state is putting tens of thousands of lives at risk in a region where mainly Rohingya people are already suffering horrific abuses from a disproportionate military campaign.

Aid workers told Amnesty International of an increasingly desperate humanitarian situation in Rakhine state, where the military has been engaged in a large-scale operation since attacks on dozens of security posts on 25 August, claimed by the armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

“Rakhine state is on the precipice of a humanitarian disaster. Nothing can justify denying life-saving aid to desperate people. By blocking access for humanitarian organisations, Myanmar’s authorities have put tens of thousands of people at risk and shown a callous disregard for human life.”

Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s Director for Crisis Response

“Rakhine state is on the precipice of a humanitarian disaster. Nothing can justify denying life-saving aid to desperate people. By blocking access for humanitarian organisations, Myanmar’s authorities have put tens of thousands of people at risk and shown a callous disregard for human life,” said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s Director for Crisis Response.

 “These restrictions will affect all communities in Rakhine State. The government must immediately change course and allow humanitarian organisations full and unfettered access to all parts of the state to assist people in need.”

 Aid activities have been suspended in the northern part of the state for the last week, while in other parts authorities are denying humanitarian actors access to communities in need, predominantly people from the Rohingya minority. According to humanitarian workers, restrictions on their activities and access began in early August but deteriorated significantly since the 25 August attacks.

Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee from their homes since the violence began. According to latest UN estimates 90,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed the border into Bangladesh, while the Myanmar government has evacuated over 11,000 people belonging to other ethnic minority communities living in northern Rakhine State.

Thousands of people – mostly Rohingya – are believed to be stranded in the mountains of northern Rakhine State, where the UN and international NGOs are unable to assess their needs or to provide shelter, food and protection.

One humanitarian official working on Rakhine State told Amnesty International:

“The Muslims are starving in their homes. Markets are closed and people can’t leave their villages, except to flee. There is widespread intimidation by the authorities, who are clearly using food and water as a weapon.”

Rohingya refugees who have fled into Bangladesh have spoken of witnessing horrific abuses by the Myanmar security forces, including killings of people trying to flee and burning of whole villages.

In late 2016, the Myanmar army launched a vicious campaign in response to an attack by Rohingya militants. At the time, Amnesty International documented violations by the army including rapes, killings, torture and burning of villages, which may have amounted to crimes against humanity.

“The Myanmar military has responded to the militant attacks in a completely disproportionate way. Its campaign of violence is again targeting ordinary Rohingya people on the basis of their ethnicity and religion and must end immediately,” said Tirana Hassan.

“The Myanmar authorities are obliged under international law to treat all those living in Rakhine State, including the Rohingya, without discrimination. Instead they have chosen to treat a whole population as an enemy which may be attacked, killed, deprived of homes and uprooted indiscriminately.”

The government has further exacerbated the situation by accusing international humanitarian workers of supporting the Rohingya armed group, after INGO-branded food items were found in an alleged militant camp in northern Rakhine State.

 “The accusation that international humanitarian organisations are supporting armed actors in Rakhine State is both reckless and irresponsible. Humanitarian workers have for decades supported the Myanmar people, providing aid and assistance in times of need, and often when the government has been unable to do so itself. The Myanmar authorities must immediately stop spreading misinformation and circulating unfounded and inflammatory accusations,” said Tirana Hassan.

1,000 musicians to play at Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds events globally on 20 September

Megan Washington, The Jezabels, Ngaiire, and Kate Miller-Heidke are among the Australian artists to play intimate gigs in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, joining musicians in more than 200 cities globally for a day of concerts to unite people in welcoming refugees.

The Australian artists will join huge acts such as Ed Sheeran, Irish Blues-Rock singer Hozier and world-renowned Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi for the global refugee concert series called Give a Home.

The full list is available on sofarsounds.com/giveahome, where fans have until 10 September to apply to win tickets to the gigs.

“Think about the absolute hopelessness that makes a person leave their homes, get on a crowded boat headed for a foreign country that they don’t know the language of. The terror that makes them do it even with the risk of death along the way and no guarantee that that country will even let them in. Think about the desperation that makes them do it even with their children and babies. It makes my heart implode and I myself feel quite helpless with the little I can do but If these ‘little’ things like participating in ‘Give a Home’ can keep this at the forefront of the world’s consciousness then it’s very worth it.” – Ngaiire, who will play at the Sydney gig.

Give a Home aims to unite people in showing solidarity with those forced to flee their home and raise awareness of solutions to the global refugee challenge. At 300 plus shows in more than 200 cities across multiple continents, music fans will host intimate gigs in their homes with some of the world’s biggest music stars, refugee artists and activists.

Performing alongside major artists will be musicians from refugee backgrounds. They include Sydney musicians The Mesopotamian Ensemble:

“When we fill our melodies with strength and hope – to stand in solidarity in a global concert, it is a great privilege indeed. For unity, resilience and empathy, it is today more than ever, the most precious human possessions.” – Bashar from Mesopotamian Ensemble, who will play at the Sydney gig.

At this moment, there are many people across the globe seeking to rebuild their lives somewhere safe, but who are instead turned back to harm and denied their basic rights. There are very few paths to safety for refugees, and wealthier countries – including Australia – have failed to share responsibility for the increasing numbers of refugees.

“The problem is not the number of refugees, it is that many of the world’s wealthiest nations host the fewest and do the least. Sharing responsibility is what will solve the current global refugee challenge,” said Ming Yu Hah, Refugee Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia.

Amnesty International is campaigning for the Australian Government to do their fair share, show decisive leadership and implement practical and innovative solutions to urgently protect refugees so they can rebuild their lives in safety.

“Home has been of huge importance. Making music and starting a career in a foreign country, after having left home, initially to finish my studies, has been a beautiful roller coaster. There’s definitely a huge relief when I get the chance to go back home and be with my family, relatives and friends. Many people don’t have this solace. Many don’t have the choice to go home and many because of circumstances do not have a home. That’s why I was super compelled to lend my voice when I got this opportunity. To support in any way I can.” – Sampa the Great, who will play at the Melbourne show.

AUSTRALIAN GIVE A HOME CONCERTS:

Melbourne Show #1:

• Sampa the Great
• Kate Miller-Heidke

Melbourne Show #2:

• Toothless
• Stonefield

Sydney:

• The Jezabels
• Ngaiire
• Megan Washington
• Mesopotamian Ensemble (4 members), with vocalist Lina Saro.

Gold Coast:

• Ivey
• Kyle Lionhart
• Nick Cunningham