Justice for Filipina Rape Victim; Compel Panama Gov’t to Waive Diplomatic Immunity of Accused

The International Women’s Alliance (IWA) supports the Filipina rape victim “Pamela” in her quest for justice against accused rapist, Panamanian national Erick Rayneldo Bairnals Shcks, a technical staff member of the Panama Government in the Philippines. We would like to request all IWA members to support GABRIELA’s campaign calling for the Panama Government to waive the diplomatic immunity of Mr. Shcks by sending a letter via email or fax to the Panama Embassy in Manila, furnishing your local Panama Embassy and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs a copy.

Please send your letter to: 

H.E. Roberto Carlos Vallarino Moreno

Ambassador of Panama to the Philippines

Makati City, Philippines

Email: panamaph@pldtdsl.net

Fax: +63 (2) 338 8841

CC:

Hon. Albert Del Rosario

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Republic of the Philippines

Email: sfa@dfa.gov.ph

Fax: +63 (2) 8344000

You can use as reference this sample letter prepared by GABRIELA:

RE: WAIVE THE DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY OF ERICK RAYNELDO BAIRNAL SHCKS

13 May 2012

Dear Honorable Officer of the Panamanian Embassy, (or insert appropriate title)

This letter is written with utmost concern regarding the recent release from custody of the Panamanian national accused of raping a 19-year-old girl in Makati on April 24, 2012. The decision rendered by the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs to first deny diplomatic immunity to Mr. Erick Rayneldo Bairnals Shcks, and then to eventually grant this privilege of immunity upon further review evokes much outrage and disappointment.

Given the gravity of the situation, I (insert your name),on behalf of (insert your organization’s name if you wish), demand that the government of Panama waive the diplomatic immunity granted to Mr. Shcks and that additionally he surrender to the court of law and face just legal proceedings in the Philippines.

As an advocate of women’s rights, I assert that rape must be viewed as a serious criminal offence regardless of nationally defined borders and citizenship statuses. Additionally, I assert that victims of this type of heinous crime are entitled to access justice and a fair trial, and thus in this particular situation the accused should not be granted diplomatic immunity.

 Sincerely,

(Name, Title and Signature)