There is victory in international unity and solidarity.

 

This is the statement of the International Migrants’ Alliance (IMA) as it strikes victory in pressuring the Taiwan government to release Helen Carumba.

Carumba was arrested early this year on the charge of falsification of documents and detained in an immigration detention facility for four months. She was then sentenced by the Taiwan courts to 12 months (later reduced to ten) and was transferred to a regular prison. Her four-month detention was not reported by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) and was not factored in in the sentencing.

 

In response, IMA’s members TransAsia Sisters Association Taiwan (TASAT), Migrante Taiwan and the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) led a campaign for the immediate release of Helen Carumba stating the weaknesses on the part of the NIA and the lack of implementing guidelines in the newly-amended Immigration Act.

 

A jointly-coordinated mass action was conducted on August 28. Various groups in Hong Kong and the Philippines conducted a picket protest at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in their respective areas while groups led by the Taiwan Committee for Philippine Concerns (of which TASAT is a member) held a demonstration at the NIA Office.

 

An open letter addressed to Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou was also submitted. The said open letter gathered support and was endorsed by 57 regional, national and local organizations as well as individuals from 15 countries worldwide. “Helen’s release is a proof of our collective efforts and solidarity. By mobilizing our friends, networks and the people both in and outside Taiwan, we are able to challenge existing laws and policies and push not only for the recognition but also protection of the rights of migrant workers,” said Eni Lestari, chairperson of the IMA. Carumba is due to be repatriated back to the Philippines on September 18 once her travel document is secured.

 

In addition, IMA also learned that the Taiwan government decided to come up with implementing guidelines for the Immigration Act to avoid any more cases like that of Carumba’s. In particular, migrant workers placed in detention centers would be deported as soon as all requirements are met should formal letters from prosecutors are not received by the detention center management. IMA stated that it will continue to monitor the case until Carumba has been finally released and brought back to the Philippines. 

 

Finally, it also calls on the Taiwan government to investigate on other jailed migrant workers who may have suffered the same fate as Carumba and are still languishing in Taiwan prisons. “Such a discrepancy in the Taiwan’s laws and processes has caused unnecessary harm to migrants like Helen. As these laws and processes need to be resolved immediately, the Taiwan government should check on many migrant workers who are suffering like Helen and act accordingly for their immediate release,” Lestari concluded.

 

Reference:

Ei Lestari, chairperson

Contact No.: 852-9608-1475