| Note: If you want to add your name to the petition, please email your name and particulars to jofti@yahoo.com with cc: http://us.f524.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=upoytao@yahoo.com and http://us.f524.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=erehes@yahoo.com ) to help us update the list. Thank you.
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Dear friends in the Civil Society Community:
We are sending you this petition and the attached documents (on the issue of Nileema Noble) for your consideration and support.
After reading them, we hope that you will agree that no international official, no matter if resource-bearing nor how well-intentioned and even progressive, has the right to treat Filipinos shabbily in their own country. If you believe this, please affix your name to the petition and pass it on.
On Human Rights and Democracy: May the UN Walk the Talk
Arbitrariness. Unilateralism. Abuse. Harassment.
These are words we do not normally attribute to the. Oftentimes we have seen the UN proactively responding to cases involving these. We are alarmed that now, a UN official is associated with the very things that are anathema to UN values.
Ms. Nileema Noble has been the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines for more than a year. We are aware that numerous staff under her, whether temporary or fixed term, have complained and filed cases detailing verbal and physical abuse and arbitrary termination of employment contracts. We are appalled that numerous incidents involving Ms. Noble establish a pattern of systematic abuse of authority and downright harassment.
The UN has set historic precedents in human rights observance over the past decades. Ironically now, the human rights and dignity of UN staff in the Philippines are being trampled. We cannot stand idly by.
We are further alarmed that Ms. Noble’s arbitrariness extends to external partnerships. She unilaterally invalidates existing contractual arrangements between the UNDP and government/academic institutions. Many affected agencies, through sundry statements and letters, have expressed deep concern and disappointment over these actions, citing the lack of consultation, mutual respect and professionalism.
All this, we have learned, is done in the name of "effecting change." Who does not want change? What we cannot be silent about, however, is the use of this supposed "change agenda" as a pretext and a license for excessive behavior with impunity. We are for change in favor of more democracy, more consultation, and more professionalism. We cannot support a change process towards unilateralism, tyranny, and utter disregard for basic rights.
We, from the civil society community in the Philippines, have a stake on how the UN conducts its programmes and operations in the country. We are ready to support and cooperate with the UN, but we remind the UN to heed the words of Cardoso:
“The world stands today at a very delicate juncture. The United Nations needs the support of civil society more than ever. But will not get that support unless it is seen as championing reforms in global governance that civil society is calling for...” (Fernando Cardoso, Chair of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relations. Transmittal letter to the Secretary General , 7 June 2004 .)
It is in this spirit that we call upon the UN to deal decisively with the living paradox within its ranks as embodied by its highest official in the country, Ms. Nileema Noble. It is imperative that the UN correct this intolerable situation. We expect far higher standards of ethical conduct and professionalism from its representatives. Otherwise, they must go.
Please add your name/organization (optional) to express your support for this cause.
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Note: After affixing your name to the petition, please email it back to us (jofti@yahoo.com) to help us update the list.
Thank you.
**********************************************
Dear friends in the Civil Society Community:
We are sending you this petition and the attached documents (on the issue of Nileema Noble) for your consideration and support.
After reading them, we hope that you will agree that no international official, no matter if resource-bearing nor how well-intentioned and even progressive, has the right to treat Filipinos shabbily in their own country. If you believe this, please affix your name to the petition and pass it on.
On Human Rights and Democracy: May the UN Walk the Talk
Arbitrariness. Unilateralism. Abuse. Harassment.
These are words we do not normally attribute to the United Nations. Oftentimes we have seen the UN proactively responding to cases involving these. We are alarmed that now, a UN official is associated with the very things that are anathema to UN values.
Ms. Nileema Noble has been the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines for more than a year. We are aware that numerous staff under her, whether temporary or fixed term, have complained and filed cases detailing verbal and physical abuse and arbitrary termination of employment contracts. We are appalled that numerous incidents involving Ms. Noble establish a pattern of systematic abuse of authority and downright harassment.
The UN has set historic precedents in human rights observance over the past decades. Ironically now, the human rights and dignity of UN staff in the Philippines are being trampled. We cannot stand idly by.
We are further alarmed that Ms. Noble’s arbitrariness extends to external partnerships. She unilaterally invalidates existing contractual arrangements between the UNDP and government/academic institutions. Many affected agencies, through sundry statements and letters, have expressed deep concern and disappointment over these actions, citing the lack of consultation, mutual respect and professionalism.
All this, we have learned, is done in the name of "effecting change." Who does not want change? What we cannot be silent about, however, is the use of this supposed "change agenda" as a pretext and a license for excessive behavior with impunity. We are for change in favor of more democracy, more consultation, and more professionalism. We cannot support a change process towards unilateralism, tyranny, and utter disregard for basic rights.
We, from the civil society community in the Philippines, have a stake on how the UN conducts its programmes and operations in the country. We are ready to support and cooperate with the UN, but we remind the UN to heed the words of Cardoso:
“The world stands today at a very delicate juncture. The United Nations needs the support of civil society more than ever. But will not get that support unless it is seen as championing reforms in global governance that civil society is calling for...” (Fernando Cardoso, Chair of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relations. Transmittal letter to the Secretary General , 7 June 2004 .)
It is in this spirit that we call upon the UN to deal decisively with the living paradox within its ranks as embodied by its highest official in the country, Ms. Nileema Noble. It is imperative that the UN correct this intolerable situation. We expect far higher standards of ethical conduct and professionalism from its representatives. Otherwise, they must go.
Please add your name/organization (optional) to express your support for this cause.
Name and Organization
1. Ana Maria "Princess" R. Nemenzo
2. Rosselynn "Jae" dela Cruz, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through
Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS)
3. Luzviminda “Vim” Santos, People’s Global Exchange (PGX)
4. Mary Aileen D. Bacalso, Executive Director, Asian Federation Against Involuntary
Disappearances (AFAD)
5. Maria “Mars” Mendoza, Executive Director, Children's Initiatives for Learning and
Development (CHILD) Inc.
6. Antonio “Tony” Villasor
7. Earl Parreno, Altertrade
8. Ernesto M. Ordonez, Agriwatch
9. Gil Navarro, Chair, Peace Advocates for Truth, Healing & Justice
10. Niva Gonzales
11. Arnold Tarrobago, Akbayan Citizens' Action Party
12. Jean Enriquez, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking of Women-Asia Pacific
(CATW-AP)
13. Cora Valdez Fabros
14. Alice Raymundo
15. Behn Cervantes
16. Mercedes "Mercy" L. Fabros
17. Claudette “Dette-Dette” Arboleda
18. Soliman “Sol” Santos, South-SouthNetwork (SSN) and Philippine Campaign to Ban
Landmines
19. Edicio “Ed” dela Torre, Education for Life Foundation (ELF)
20. Marianita “Girlie” Villariba, Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
21. Ronald Llamas, President, Akbayan Citizens' Action Party
22. Jude Esguerra
23. Susan “Toots” Ople, Blas F. Ople Policy Center
24. Cecilia “Thea” Soriano, Civil Society Network for Education Reforms (E-Net)
25. Edwin Chavez, Center for People's Empowerment
26. Josel Gonzales, Active Citizens Foundation
27. David Andrade
28. Danny Carranza, Peace Foundation
29. Banjo Vina, Bisig
30. Tomas Villarin, Executive Director, SIAD Initiatives in Mindanao-Convergence for Asset
Reform and Regional Development (SIMCARRD)
31. Rhodora A. Abano, Center for Migrant Advocacy
32. Joe Valencia, KASAPI, Organization of Filipino Migrants in Greece 33. Debbie Carlos Valencia, DIWATA Phil. Women's Network in Greece
34. Francisco Cinco, Institute for Popular Democracy
35. Peter Lavina, Councilor, Davao City
36. Annelle P. Rivera-Beckstrom, Sociology Department, New School for Social Research,
NY
37. Roberto Nicolasora
38. Arianne Reyes
39. Etta Pargas-Rosales, Chair Emeritus, Akbayan & Co-Chair, Philippine Coalition for the
International Criminal Court
40. Wigberto "Bobby" Tanada
41. Flor Caagusan
42. Rodolfo Villanueva, Center for Participatory Governance
43. Ronnie Tapnio
44. Maria Luisa Jose-Tapnio
45. Jeselle Papa
46. Frances Therese C. Lo
47. Jose Eliseo "Joel" Rocamora, IPD staff
48. Ibarra "Barry" M. Gutierrez III
49. Sister Arnold Maria Noel,SSpS 50. Arnel Ramos, ODA Watch 51. Dong Calmada, Peace Foundation, Inc. 52. Byron D. Bocar, Akbayan! Citizens' Action Party 53. Rosemary Cheung-Bocar 54. Joel Saracho, Tbak Inc 55. Floyd Buenavente, MBS TEK 56. Aida Santos 57. Reden B. Recio 58. Nelson B. Sanchez 59. Klaid Sabangan 60. Rodel P. Abenoja Student Council Alliance of the Philippines Vice-Chairperson for Mindanao 61. Daisy Valero, General Manager, Kalatas 62. Jerome Bailen, forensic anthropologist 63. Richard Taduran 64. Delfin “Ted Borrero” 65. Auxilium "Inday" Toling-Olayer, Human Rights Advocate, Board of Trustees of various HR organizations in the Philippines 66. Cecilia Jimenez, Human Rights Lawyer. Geneva, Switzerland 67. Joseph Francis 68. Jose “Joey” Flora 69. Amado "Bong" Mendoza, Jr., Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines 70. Rebecca "Beckie" Malay 71. Mylene Saluta, Panbansdang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) 72. Carlos Ocampo, Christian World Service, Sydney, Australia 73. Christian “Bong” Ramilo, Australia 74. Orlando “Dong” Tizon 75. Jesse C. Agbulos 76. Sylvia Estrada Claudio 77. Ian Rivera Jr., Kalayaan 78. Teresita M. Borgoños, Makalaya 79. Rachel “Che” Aquino 80. Genie Chavez, Philippine-Australia Partnership for Economic Governance Reforms 81. Ellene A. Sana, Center for Migrant Advocacy 82. Ronnie Abeto, Pusong Mamon Task Force / V-Team 83. Arnold M. Tenerife, Filipinos for Better Philippines (FBP-KSA) 84. Fr. Ben Moraleda, CSsR 85. William C. Yerro, V-Team
86. Ramon Mapa, People's Initiative for Learning and Community Development (PILCD) Baguio City
87. Dorothy Grace Guerrero, Focus on the Global South, Thailand. 88. Reynaldo S. Orbon, Member-V-Team, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 89. Wilson Requez, Regional Coordinator, Young Progressives Southeast Asia 90. Victor S. Barrios, Chair, Global Filipinos Coalition Convenor/Moderator, Global Filipino Forum 91. Ritchel Salve 92. Terry Olayta – Canada
93. Bobby Diciembre
94. Noel C. Esquela, Center for Migrant Advocacy
95. Renato Mabunga, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA).
96. Debbie Anne F. Soriano-Garcia
97. Al Obre
98. Melba de Guzman Marginson, Centre for Philippine Concerns Australia
99. Aliza L. Belarmino
100. Bonn Juego
101. Rene R. Raya, Action for Economic Refors (AER) Baguio City
102. Angging Aban
103. Nethz M. Salvan, TAO-Pilipinas
104. Ma. Fe Nicodemus, KAKAMMPI Chairperson 105. Ka Domingo Legario, OFW, West Australia
106. Patricio "Jojo" N. Abinales, Professor, Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University.
107. Reynaldo S. Orbon, Member-V-Team, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
108. Maria Cecilia Angeles-Cabrera
109. Anna Navarro, Center for Migrant Advocacy
110. Hazel Cotoner, Center for Migrant Advocacy
111. May Cinco 112. Himayat Rizvanqizi, Himayadar Humanitarian Progress Public Union
113. Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation, Philippines
114. Risa Hontiveros, Representative, Akbayan Party List
115. Milabel Cristobal Amar 116. Dondon Parafina 117. Yasser F. Sarona, Boy Scouts of the Philippines - National Capital Region
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What is the status of Nileema NOble now? Has the online petition been effective or is the UN proving to be insensitive to our call?