Militants picket NBI to air their demand to release Andrea Rosal in this file photo. INTERAKSYON.COM
The human rights group Karapatan on Friday called on the government anew to order the release of pregnant detainee Andrea Rosal for humanitarian reason and for the sake of her baby.
Quoting Rosal's attending doctor from the Health Alliance for Human Rights, Karapatan said that the baby is due any time. When she gives birth, Rosal is reportedly given only 24 hours to be with her baby, which the group said was a very short period for Rosal to breastfeed.
"The threat of separating Andrea and her baby forebodes the Philippine government’s violations of the recommendations of World Health Organization on breastfeeding and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child," it said in a statement.
According to Karapatan, the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and sustained breastfeeding for more than two years in an environment where both baby and mother are properly fed and cared for, where the mother can also have the health and stamina to nurture her child, free from unnecessary stress and discomfort.
Rosal, 31, was arrested on March 27, 2014 in Caloocan City, together with Edward Lanzanas. They were suspected of being members of the New People's Army (NPA).
Rosal is the eldest daughter of the late Rogelio "Ka Roger" Rosal, spokesperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the political wing of the NPA.
Rosal and Lanzanas were on their way to the doctor for a check-up when they were arrested. Rosal is seven months pregnant.
Karapatan said both Rosal and Lanzanas should be released because the charges against them were "fabricated, malicious and baseless."
Rosal's condition also warrants prompt medical attention, and her continued detention under "subhuman condition" endangers her and her baby, the group added. Both are currently detained at the Taguig City Jail.
Karapatan said that Andrea currently shares the cell with 24 other female detainees, some of whom are also political prisoners.
"Each cell has only a window built along the building’s corridor; no window is built where fresh air and sunlight could get through. Due to her arrest, Andrea did not have the chance to prepare for the baby's needs, such as diapers, clothes, etc. She had stopped drinking her supplements and has to make do with food rations, usually just rice and a very small amount of fish or boiled vegetable," it added.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/85468/rosal-daughter-due-to-give-birth-any-time-jailed-in-poor-conditions-rights-group-says
KARAPATAN is the main Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) human rights umbrella front organization in the Philippines. The main objectives of KARAPATAN are to discredit the Philippine government and its security forces on human rights issues, come to the aid and defense of captured insurgent cadre, and work to secure their release. Propaganda/media campaigns form large part of KARAPATAN's effort.
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