For Dr. Irene Fernandez Champion of grassroots empowerment, an activist for change Migrants and advocates in Hong Kong and Macau salute Dr. Irene Fernandez whose tireless work to defend migrant workers and fight for a just social system inspires us all to strive for changes where migrants and all people live with dignity and in solidarity. We were fortunate to have Dr. Fernandez in Hong Kong when the International Migrant’s Alliance (IMA) was established in 2008. She was very well versed on the issues of migrant workers and was very selfless in imparting her thoughts and ideas on how current migration must be viewed and how the commodification of migrants and modern-day slavery should be addressed. Dr. Fernandez’s record of activism is long whether in Malaysia, in the Asia-Pacific region and even in the world. She worked with workers, women, youth, rural communities, migrant workers and other people marginalized, oppressed and exploited. For her work, she faced the repression of the state which she determinedly faced for she had the truth of the realities of the condition of migrants on her side. In 2008, the Malaysian court acquitted her of the charge of malicious and false publication. In recognition of her work for social justice, she was given awards and recognitions including the Human Rights Watch Award in 1996, the Amnesty International Award in 1998, the International PEN Award in 2000; the Jonathan Mann Award in 2004; and the Right to Livelihood Award in 2005. She provided leadership in various formations and was the vice chairperson of the IMA up to the time of her death. Her anti-imperialist stance was also expressed in the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) where she was elected as a member of the International Coordinating Committee in the League’s founding in 2001 and served as its auditor until 2004. Despite her stature, her experience, and all the awards she was rightfully accorded with, Dr. Fernandez has always loved to work directly with the grassroots. She always emphasized that there too are experts within the ranks of the grassroots. Always, she would take inspiration from the lives of the grassroots and espoused the continuing empowerment of grassroots communities. The IMA is one legacy of an empowered grassroots that Dr. Fernandez helped build. For her service to the migrants and people, Dr. Fernandez shall always have a place in our hearts. For her commitment to social changes and determination to fight, she will always be an inspiration to the tide of activists struggling for a better world. For her complete trust on the power of the grassroots people, Dr. Fernandez shall always be remembered with the highest respect in our collective memories. In honor of Irene, we, the IMA-HK and Macau shall continue our struggle for rights, dignity and genuine solidarity. Long live the legacies of Dr. Irene Fernandez! Strive for rights and justice! Long live international solidarity! Reference: Eman C. Villanueva Coordinator & Spokesperson Tel. (852) 97585935
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 09:57:53 +0000
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