Solidarity Actions

APWLD’s belief in the power of movements is what compels us to join causes taken up and led by our member organisations in their respective national and regional contexts. By organising solidarity actions, we are able to amplify the messages and mobilise more people on an issue as well as bring together people and groups who would not otherwise have come together previously to form alliances to strengthen the movement.

 

Solidarity actions have helped gain much needed attention from the global community and have raised support where needed. The actions may included calls for justice when a member or organisation faces persecution by authorities, for communities opposing oppressive policies, or for individuals and communities who are threatened by punitive legal action by their governments for defending their rights. Solidarity actions are staged at the secretariat in Chiang Mai, publicized through social media or held at strategic sites where we can gain attention for the issue.

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Some recent solidarity actions

    • Justice for Kentex (2015) – In support of our members in the Philippines’ call for justice for workers of a slipper factory that burned down in the Philippines and for tighter labor regulations in the country
    • Global Week of Action for Cambodian Workers (2014) – in support of the workers and labor leaders in Cambodian garments industry who were being arrested for protesting labor abuses and calling for decent wages. This action was coordinated among many organisations who responded to our call and actions were held in many countries in US, Europe and Asia
    • Indonesia Haze (2016) – We staged a solidarity action in support of Indonesian organisation for government to address the yearly haze problem in Indonesia. This problem of agricultural burning and pollution has caused health problems, displacement and environmental damage.
    • Bersih 4 (2015)We supported our Malaysian members who were co-organizers of protests being staged in three cities in Malaysia calling for clean and fair elections. These protests have gained mobilized a large number of people in Malaysia and have been held in subsequent years.
    • Oppose Coal Mining and Demand Climate Justice (2017) -We supported and helped organize an action with an indigenous community in North of Thailand who were resisting the construction of a coal mine in their area.
    • Fact-finding Mission and Solidarity for Hacienda Luisita workers (2014) APWLD supported an international fact-finding mission to the Philippines in support of land rights claims by tenant farmers of a large farm enterprise. The mission reported cases of human rights violations by the farm owners on the farmers which was publicised on national media.
    • Stop Rampal Coal Plant (2016)We supported the protests of Bangladesh-based organizations against the construction of a coal-fired power plant in the largest mangrove forest and coastal area of the Sundarbans which will impact the lives of indigenous peoples  who depend on the forest for livelihood.
    • Protect Maria Chin (2016)Malaysian feminist leader and Bersih protest organizer Maria Chin was arrested at her home on October 2016, questioned by police and released. She and her family have been subjected to anonymous harassment and death threats. We called on the Malaysian government to investigate the death threats and protect the lives of Chin and her family and withdraw charges made against her.
    • Save Mary Jane Veloso (2014)We broadcast calls for the immediate pardon and release of Filipina migrant domestic worker Mary Jane Veloso from execution by the Indonesian government. Veloso was arrested in 2012 on drug trafficking charges which are punishable by death under Indonesian law, she was scheduled for execution in 2014, but worldwide attention to her case earned her a last minute reprieve while she awaits resolution of her case as a victim herself of human trafficking.