Going Beyond EDSA: A Call for New Economics and New Politics

Going Beyond EDSA: A Call for New Economics and New Politics

photo by FDC

Just sharing this relevant article by Mr. Ricardo Reyes of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Presented at the Forum on People Power and Poverty Reduction: Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of EDSA I, Institute of Social Order (ISO), Ateneo De Manila University, Quezon City

People Power beyond EDSA

www.tfdp.net

PRESS STATEMENT

25 February 2011

People Power beyond EDSA

We remember EDSA People Power Revolution today with memories of the united struggle of the people during the 1986 uprising against the decades-long tyranny of the Marcos’ rule. The purpose of the EDSA revolt then was beyond bringing down the fall of a dictator but more importantly to break impunity.

However, the impunity that the Filipinos have risen against has not been completely eradicated with the flight of Marcos from the presidency. Instead, it has fragmented into varying forms. As we remember the uprising by the Filipino masses, let us also realize and reflect on how the oppression and the violations have continued beyond the People Power Revolt and into the democracy that we are now enjoying.

EDSA people power brought about the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship and the restoration of our democratic institutions but the next administrations have not been able to progressively root out the systemic causes of poverty, corruption and impunity against human rights.  Rather, we have let down our vigilance to protect our gains and allowed impoverishment to increase, corruption to worsen and impunity to intensify. 

Justice still eludes Marcos victims - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

sharing this relevant article...
Justice still eludes Marcos victims - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

http://www.tanada.net

source: opinion.inquirer.net

Justice still eludes Marcos victims

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:07:00 02/25/2011

Filed Under: Justice & Rights, Crime and Law and Justice, Human Rights, Congress

AS WE commemorate the 25th year of our country’s return to democracy, I only have one wish—for the victims of human rights violations to get justice and be compensated for what the State has done to them during the dark years of martial law.

25 years ago

www.tfdp.net

It was twenty five years ago when Filipinos showed to the world the power of the people to put in their hands the fate of a dictator and end one of those regimes that committed massive and ruthless human rights violations of that generation. 

Behind the well-celebrated event of our history, are martyrs, heroes and victims of human rights violations of the Marcoses. We are celebrating its 25th year commemoration but the victims are still uncertain when justice will come.


They are the real heroes behind that popular Edsa people uprising that put us in the center of the world and inspired other peoples of other nations to defend their own rights.

Almost 39 years since the late President Marcos declared martial law, victims have endured the slow grind of justice. It has been twenty five long years since the downfall of Ferdinand E. Marcos and his victims have yet to find justice and closure. Not a few have died, others still languish in the quagmire of poverty and want, and still others persist in pursuing truth, compensation, rehabilitation and justice. And there are still many others who have not yet surfaced and claimed their rights.

People Power. www.tfdp.net

Edsa 1 people power. www.tfdp.net

Turkey: Civil society asks for ratification of int’L convention on enforced disappearance

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan this week met with an advocacy group --known as ‘Saturday Mothers’ -- seeking justice for enforced disappearances. http://www.todayszaman.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey: Civil society asks for ratification of int’L convention on enforced disappearance

Although Parliament decided to establish a sub-commission to investigate enforced disappearances, Turkey has not signed the UN’s International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, a demand of civil society.

Political prisoners freed in Bahrain amid torture claims (Roundup)

Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Feb 23, 2011, 18:03 GMT

Cairo - Bahrain on Wednesday released 308 political prisoners, the government said, many of whom claimed to have been tortured.

The releases were part of an attempt by the government to contain the massive demonstrations which have been taking place in the capital Manama since February 14 and in which the government says seven people have been killed.

Peace talks bring hope for Philippines

English.news.cn   2011-02-23 19:21:18   

By Zhao Jiemin

MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Government of the Philippines ( GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) successfully concluded their first round of formal talks in six years on Tuesday, paving the way for cracking one of the hardest nuts in the Philippines.

In a joint statement released Tuesday in Oslo, Norway, both sides agreed to complete the peace talks in 18 months.

It shows a good sign, because it opens doors for solving problems which remained unsolved by five previous presidents of the Philippines. Both sides expressed optimism that peace can finally be attained during the Aquino administration. But prospects remained uncertain.

to read the complete article pls follow the link http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/23/c_13746343.htm

Military to probe torture video posted on Facebook - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Military to probe torture video posted on Facebook - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 04:02:00 02/20/2011

Filed Under: Military, Crime, Social networking, Prison

MANILA, Philippines—The military said Saturday it was investigating a purported torture video posted on Facebook that appeared to show uniformed soldiers abusing defenseless prisoners.

Investigators were checking the identities of the uniformed men shown repeatedly punching and kicking at least three people in civilian clothes, said Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta.

The importance of the OPCAT and the role of doctors and other health professionals in preventative visits

Medical Action Group position paper on the Philippine ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT)
February 16, 2011

Presented at Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, February 16, 2011, public hearing on the “Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”.

The importance of the OPCAT and the role of doctors and other health professionals in preventative visits

The Medical Action Group (MAG) is a health and human rights organizations which envisions a society where fundamental human rights are upheld at protected at all times in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). MAG is a member of the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines.

The right to reparation for victims of a wrongful act is a well-established principle of international law. This obligation also applies in respect to international human rights and humanitarian law. Rehabilitation is a very practical form of assistance for victims of torture. It is widely acknowledged, amongst those working in this field, within the human rights community, and amongst torture survivors themselves, that rehabilitation services are most effective when they combine a variety of multidisciplinary inputs: medical and psychological interventions, together with complementary psychosocial, legal and social services.

Sincerity, transparency pressed in government and NDF peace talks

MANINDIGAN sa Peace Talk
Press Release
February 15, 2011
   
A civil society movement of peace advocates, non-government organizations and people’s organizations called as “Manindigan para sa Peace Talks” pressed for sincerity and transparency upon the resumption of formal talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“We believe that peace is our right and peace building is responsibility of all. The resumption of the peace talks between the government and the NDFP offers an opportunity to come to terms with the country’s best interests and work for peace that had eluded us for so long,” said Sr. Arnold Maria Noel, SSps of the Manindigan para sa Peace Talks.

Both the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the government agreed to hold formal talks on February 15-21, 2011 in Oslo, Norway under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian Government which has been acting as Third Party Facilitator since 2001.

“The sincerity of both parties is vital for peace talks to succeed. But it remains to be seen if this would occupy a large spot on the part of the government and the NDFP. Both the government and the NDFP should go beyond noble-sounding words before the public by mustering enough political will and sincerity in order for the peace process to gain ground,” Sr. Noel said.

Sr. Noel also said transparency should be of utmost importance in the resumption of the peace talks since past negotiations suffered temporary setback because peace talks were done without listening to peoples voices and involving the key stakeholders in particular the communities.

Manindigan para sa peace talks! Unity Manifesto

Photo by John Alster Soriano (MAG)

We stand together in asserting that peace is our right as a people and peacebuilding is responsibility of all.

The long standing war between the Government of the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines –New People’s Army –National Democratic Front must end. Peace talks are an essential mechanism in achieving the political settlement of the protracted armed conflict. The peace negotiations help ensure the commitment of both parties on reduction of human rights and humanitarian violations.

We believe that the peace talks will lead to and should go hand in hand with the adoption of comprehensive social reforms and ending of hostilities. Peace talks present the opportunity for communities to live in peace.

With these in mind, Manindigan para sa Peace Talks, a civil society movement of peace advocates, NGOs and people’s organizations united as stakeholders in the peace process, call for the following:

Sincere Commitment to Peace Talks

Genuine engagement and sincere commitment are vital for peace talks to succeed. We challenge both parties to dispel people’s skepticism on the process and their sincerity. But beyond the parties, we also challenge the civil society and communities to stand up and claim their voice on the peace processes.

UATC Position Paper: Ratification and Implementation of the OPCAT

UATC Position Paper 
Ratification and Implementation of the OPCAT

We, the member organizations of the United Against Torture Coalition Philippines (UATC), a broad-based coalition of organizations and individuals that work together against the use of torture in the Philippines Declare and Assert the following in relation to the Philippines’ adhesion and implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT):

A straightforward system

The OPCAT establishes a system of regular visits to places where individuals are deprived of their liberty. This system employs two visiting bodies, one is the Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture (SPT), an international body that is composed of 10 experts and already conducting its work since January 1, 2007.  Two is the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), which will be composed of suitably qualified independent experts that is to be set up by the state once it adheres to the OPCAT.

Basically, these bodies will conduct regular visits to places of detention. Subsequent to their visits, these bodies will submit their recommendations to relevant state authorities based on their observations, findings and assessment.  They shall then enter into a dialogue with relevant state authorities on the concerns. The state is then required to implement these recommendations in cooperation with these bodies.

This basic framework of operation, according to Article 4 of the Protocol aims to strengthen the protection of persons deprived of their liberty against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  This is an obligation the Philippine government has had since 18 June 1986. The OPCAT bodies’ approach is to provide useful, practical and expert advice, tailored to the state’s circumstances, and forms the basis for institutional reform.

Yahoo news: Protesters press for voice in Egyptian democracy

Source: http://news.yahoo.com- Egyptians gather around graffiti on the ground with Arabic words reading 'January 25, Egypt's greatest and noblest day, Martyrs square.

SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com
By LEE KEATH and HADEEL AL-SHALCHI, Associated Press Lee Keath And Hadeel Al-shalchi, Associated Press – Sat Feb 12, 6:29 pm ET

CAIRO – On Egypt's first day in nearly 30 years without Hosni Mubarak as president, its new military rulers promised Saturday to abide by the peace treaty with Israel and eventually hand power to an elected government. Protesters, still partying over their victory in pushing Mubarak out, now pressed for a voice in guiding their country's move to democracy.

The protesters' first act was deeply symbolic of their ambition to build a new Egypt and their determination to do it themselves: Thousands began cleaning up Cairo's central Tahrir Square, the epicenter of their movement. The sprawling plaza was battered and trashed by 18 days of street battles and rallies by hundreds of thousands.

PAHRA reiterates urgency for Benigno S. Aquino, Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief: Order Fair and Speedy Resolution of Landmark PICOP 6 Case

11 February 2011
PRESS RELEASE

Reference: Candy Diez (0927) 4012416

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates calls on President Benigno Aquino III to expedite the resolution of multiple murder case against 12 members of the AFP. Six workers of the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP) were disappeared in October 14, 2000 with strong evidences of the involvement of 12 members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion assigned in Agusan del Sur.

“The families of the PICOP 6 workers have been waiting for more than ten years for justice. There are incidents which proves that accused military personnel are working to prevent the truth from coming out.  As chief executive and commander in chief, President Aquino must give clear instructions to agencies and institutions under his responsibility and command to exercise extraordinary due diligence to resolve fairly and speedily the landmark PICOP 6 multiple-murder case.” Max de Mesa, PAHRA chairperson said.

Former Sgt. Esequias Duyogan, the key witness on the multiple murder case, is currently under threat. He survived an attempted ambush in August 2010 in which he identified two of the armed men as among the accused soldiers in the case. In January 2011, there were reported attempts to the lives of his wife and two children. Unidentified men climbed up the family’s roof while the following morning, two bonnet-wearing men circled their home.

OPCAT instrument of ratification now at the Philippine Senate

Photo by: Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)

The Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT’s) instrument of ratification has been transmitted by the Executive Department to the Philippine Senate for concurrence in January 2011. Then a Senate hearing will be held on February 16, 2011.

Because of this development, anti-torture advocates are now optimistic that the Philippine Government adhesion to this protocol may be possible on the first half of this year.

In light of this, we are posting information and relevant links that would help us understand the importance of ratifying this protocol.
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What is OPCAT?


The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) is an international treaty which was adopted by an overwhelming majority at the UN General Assembly in 2002. The purpose of the Optional Protocol is to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. To this end, the Optional Protocol advocates the establishment of a system of regular visits to be undertaken by independent international and local bodies to institutions where persons are deprived of their liberty. The objective of these visits is to prevent torture and improve the conditions of prisons and detention centers.

The ratification and implementation of the OPCAT in the Philippines aims to fulfill the state’s obligation to the principles it has committed itself to when it became a member of the various UN treaties.

Source: http://www.opcatph.org

Sky News Uncovers Egypt Torture Claims

News and photo by http://news.sky.com. Sky's Dominic Waghorn and lawyer Malek Adly

 

11:18pm UK, Tuesday February 08, 2011
Dominic Waghorn, Middle East correspondent, Cairo

Human rights activists in Egypt have claimed President Hosni Mubarak's regime is conducting a hidden crackdown on the protest movement.

The Egyptian government claims it has made significant concessions following an uprising in Cairo and other cities and is engaged in political dialogue with its opponents.

But, in the offices of human rights group Hisham Mubarak, there is a very different picture after a visit from a mob of thugs and secret police.

Egypt: 24 hours later no information on human rights defenders arrested

EGYPT: 24 hours later no information on human rights defenders arrested
Source: http://www.omct.org

The international community must react urgently and strongly
Paris-Geneva, February 4, 2011. Twenty-four hours after the arrest of at least 30 human rights defenders by the military police inside the building hosting the Hisham Mubarak Law Center and the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, there are no information regarding the whereabouts and physical integrity of those under arrest. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture, deplores acts of intimidation and fears for the safety of human rights defenders.

According to the latest information received, at least 30 human rights defenders who have been arrested at the Hisham Mubarak Law Center and the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights on February 3, 2011 in the early afternoon remain in military police custody. No one has been able to communicate nor to visit them, according to several sources. The group include members of the Hisham Mubarak Law Center, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, in particular Messrs. Ahmed Seif El Islam, Mohsen Besheer, and Mostafa El Hassan, lawyers and Ms. Mona El Masry, researcher, at the Hisham Mubarak Law Center; Mr. Daniel Williams, researcher at Human Rights Watch, Ms. Fatma Abada, Mr. Saeed Hadadi and Mr. Khaled Ali, researchers at Amnesty International, and Mr. Mohamed El Taher, Ms. Shahenda Abushadi, Ms. Nadine Abushadi, and Ms. Nada Sadek. Others include people who volunteers at the Front to Defend Egypt Protestors, a committee created to provide legal humanitarian and moral support to demonstrators. The total number of human rights defenders arrested remains unknown to date.

Ortega killer caught on camera

Just sharing this article from the PCIJ regarding the killers of the Anti-Mining Advocate Mr. Ortega being caught in the CCTV.

Ortega killer caught on camera

Posted by: Ed Lingao | February 4, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Filed under: General

Puerto Princesa officials were able to capture the movements of the killers of Palawan-based environmentalist and radio commentator Dr. Gerardo Ortega through newly-installed closed circuit television cameras.

The video footage, made available to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), showed the arrival of the three main players in the Ortega murder at the Puerto Princesa airport on January 19, or five days before the murder was committed.

Other video clips showed how the killers stalked out the area in front of Dr. Ortega’s pet shop along the San Pedro Highway in Puerto Princesa, waiting for the time to strike. One clip showed the moment immediately after Ortega was shot, with the gunman running from the crime scene with a city firetruck in hot pursuit.
The clips are expected to form part of the evidence against Marlon Recamata, the confessed gunman who was arrested immediately after the murder. Police have also arrested a second suspect, Dennis Aranas, who acted as a lookout during the murder.

to read the complete article please follow the link http://www.pcij.org

Council urges Aquino to sign int'l convention | Sun.Star Network Online

Council urges Aquino to sign int'l convention | Sun.Star Network Online

Wednesday, February 2, 2011
More Sections


THE City Council passed a resolution urging President Benigno Aquino III to sign the international convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance.

Councilor Karminn Yangot, who authored the resolution which was passed by the Council last Monday, also asked the President to certify the same for ratification by the Senate.

Egypt's Torture Victims Describe Beatings, Electroshock, Rape Threats

By MATTHEW COLE and SARAH O. WALI

Feb. 3, 2011 

 

source: http://abcnews.go.com 

When Abdel Haleem Halim approached Hosni Mubarak at a 2002 conference to confront the Egyptian president about rampant unemployment, he says he received a familiar response. Like many of Egypt's political dissidents, Halim says he was whisked away by the Mubarak regime's domestic intelligence agents and tortured.

"They would bring me a paper and want me to write and sign a confession," Halim told ABC News. "But I would refuse to write. So they would torture me because I was defiant."

Halim claimed that the SSI agents used beatings and electroshock, and that his 2002 encounter was only the latest in a long line of detentions. A veteran political dissident, he said an earlier beating left him with temporary memory loss.

Human Rights Watch Calls On U.S. To Suspend Military Aid To Egypt | Neon Tommy

Human Rights Watch Calls On U.S. To Suspend Military Aid To Egypt | Neon Tommy

Human Rights Watch called on the United States to suspend its military aid to Egypt amid mass violence and chaos in the Middle East, most notably in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday.

"The United States and the European Union should tell President Hosni Mubarak and Egypt's military commanders that the army's actions on February 2 [in Tahrir Square] raised serious doubts about its willingness to protect pro-democracy protestors from violent attacks, and that their failure to uphold fundamental human rights, including prohibitions on extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances, will prompt an immediate suspension of all military assistance," the organization said in a statement early Thursday morning.

(to read more please follow the link.)

Violence flares in Cairo square - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Violence flares in Cairo square - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Source: http://english.aljazeera.net

Several cars went up in flames near Liberation Square as riots raged deep into the night [AJ online producer]

At least three people are believed to have died and more than 1,500 others injured in continuing clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Protesters from both sides fought pitched battles on Wednesday in Tahrir [Liberation] Square, the epicentre of ongoing opposition demonstrations against Hosni Mubarak for the past nine days.

An Al Jazeera correspondent, reporting from just outside the square late at night, said dozens of pro-Mubarak supporters had erected barricades on either side of a road, trapping the pro-democracy supporters. They were gathering stones, breaking streetlights and using balaclavas to cover their faces, apparently in preparation for a fresh standoff with the pro-democracy crowd.

Rights Group Accuse India Of Abusing Terror Suspects

Rights Group Accuse India Of Abusing Terror Suspects

(RTTNews) - International rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged in a report released Wednesday that security forces in India often subject suspects detained in their anti-terrorism operations to religious discrimination and torture.

The HRW report said such abuses and arbitrary arrests of suspects by Indian security forces increased drastically after the bombings in Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad in 2008. It also warned the Indian government that such tactics could have an adverse effect in the country's fight against terrorism.

Urgent Appeal from International Civil Society: International Community Must Ensure Rights of Egyptians are Upheld

Photo source: http://wagingnonviolence.org

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 22:55

We, civil society organizations from across the world, strongly urge all governments, as well as regional and international organizations, to clearly and unequivocally denounce the ongoing violent crackdown against the public protests and demands for democratic reform and government accountability that have been occurring across Egypt since the 25th of January.

The Egyptian government has responded to protests with excessive force. This has included wide-spread use of beatings, arbitrary detentions and the use of rubber bullets and allegedly live ammunition against unarmed civilians, resulting in over a hundred deaths. Moreover, a state imposed black-out on national cell phone services, the internet and independent media channels was put in place on the 28th of January, making it very difficult for Egyptians to report any abuses occurring. On that same day the Egyptian government began to deploy military forces in supplement of internal security forces.

Rendition

Just sharing this relevant film about torture and disappearance.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1770193177/

source: http://www.imdb.com/video


A CIA analyst questions his assignment after witnessing an unorthodox interrogation at a secret detention facility outside the US.
Director: Gavin Hood
Writer: Kelley Sane
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard

After a terrorist bombing kills an American envoy in a foreign country. An investigation leads to an Egyptian who has been living in the United States for years and who is married to an American. He is apprehended when he's on his way home. The U.S. sends him to the country where the incident occurs for interrogation which includes torture. An American CIA operative observes the interrogation and is at odds whether to keep it going or to stop it. In the meantime, the man's wife raises hell to find him despite being pregnant but the person behind this refuses to help or give her any information. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

When an Egyptian terrorism suspect "disappears" on a flight from Africa to Washington DC, his American wife and a CIA analyst find themselves caught up in a struggle to secure his release from a secret detention facility somewhere outside the US. Written by Gavin Hood (director) 

I stand with the Egyptian people

I stand with the Egyptian people. http://j.mp/standwithegypt -- Join me by making this your status message today!

 The demonstrations in Egypt could end three decades of repressive rule and bring, at long last, freedom and democracy to Egypt.

The regime is attempting to starve the protest movement of two crucial sources of power: information and solidarity. But despite the internet blackout, Egyptian radios and satellite TVs can still receive broadcasts from across the border -- so Avaaz will work with broadcasters whose signals reach inside Egypt to circulate the number signatures on this statement of solidarity, along with messages of support from around the world for Egypt's people.

Every hour matters. What happens next depends of all of us. Let's stand with those on the streets and build a deafening outcry against rampant corruption and political repression, and for democratic reform. Sign the statement of solidarity--and spread the word about this campaign!

Visit https://secure.avaaz.org/en/democracy_for_egypt/?donateyourstatus1

Egypt: Impunity for Torture Fuels Days of Rage

New Government Should Prosecute Police Abuses, Make Clean Break With Torture
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/01/31/egypt-impunity-torture-fuels-days-rage

January 31, 2011

During a demonstration in Alexandria, protesters hold pictures of 28-year-old Khaled Said, beaten to death on the streets of Alexandria by two undercover police officers on June 6, 2010. Said’s death set off an unprecedented series of demonstrations across the country.
© 2010 AP Photo

(Cairo) - Torture is an endemic problem in Egypt and ending police abuse has been a driving element behind the massive popular demonstrations that swept Egypt over the past week, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Prosecuting torture and ending the emergency laws that enable a culture of impunity for the security forces should be a priority for the Egyptian government, Human Rights Watch said.

The 95-page report, "‘Work on Him Until He Confesses': Impunity for Torture in Egypt," documents how President Hosni Mubarak's government implicitly condones police abuse by failing to ensure that law enforcement officials accused of torture are investigated and criminally prosecuted, leaving victims without a remedy.