Kawagib condemns Sheik Mursalum’s disappearance

From the Zamboanga Today (Jan 25): Kawagib condemns Sheik Mursalum’s disappearance

As the Muslim world commemorates the Maulidin Nabi (Birth Of the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him), Kawagib Moro Human Rights said yesterday it is one with the families and fellow religious leaders of Sheikh Bashier Mursalum in condemning his abduction and enforced disappearance.

According to witnesses, Ustadz Mursalum was abducted allegedly by the military on January 22 at Labuan, Zamboanga City. An adventure van hit Ustadz Mursalum then armed men got, shot him and forced him inside the van. The family has not heard from him since, and even local police have no clue whether he is still alive or dead.

Mursalum is a Modeer (principal) at the Madrasa in Labuan and well respected by the Muslim community in Zamboanga City.The Darul Iftah in Zamboanga held a meeting yesterday to show their support to the family in finding Mursalum.

“Kawagib Moro Human Rights (Zambasulta Chapter) is united with all the Muslims in Zamboanga City who are calling for Justice to Ustadz Mursalum.  We ask the military to shed light to the suspicion that they are the ones responsible and surface Mursalum.”

Kawagib upholds the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and believes that Mursalum’s case can be submitted to its Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC).

“This incident merely reinforces our belief that despite of the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), at the stage where the rights of the Moro people are being crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the reality is that the human rights of ordinary Moro people are still being violated.

Until now, Moro people are subjected to indiscriminate terrorist-tagging and arbitrary arrests based on a ‘defective’ warrant of arrest issued for the ASG crimes in 2000-2001. Several of those presented as ASG underwent abduction and enforced disappearance for days where they were tortured and finally surfaced after their abductors availed of the warrant of arrest.

Such has been the case of Muhammadiya Hamja who was twice abducted, tortured and imprisoned at the Basilan Provincial Jail due to the warrant issued by Judge Leo Jay T. Principe of RTC Branch 1 of Isabela City.

We call for the immediate investigation of Mursalum’s disappearance and calls for the Commission on Human Rights and Department of Justice to look into the matter. Along with the rest of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Zamboanga Peninsula, we pray for his safe return.”
Press Release from Abdulbaser Datumanong, Coordinator.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/12952-kawagib-condemns-sheik-mursalums-disappearance.html