PAHRA welcomes the "European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Philippines, including the case of Maria Ressa" which demands that the Philippines respect human rights. The Resolution includes a stern reminder that the tariff-free access to the EU market under the EU GSP+ shall be suspended unless the situation dramatically improves.
We appreciate the overwhelming support of the members of the European Parliament from all across the entire political spectrum (Conservatives, Christian Democrats, Socialists and Progressives, Environmentalists, and Liberals), with 91.70% (652 votes) in favour of the Resolution, a paltry 7 against and only 52 abstention.
Statement on International Women’s Day 2020 World March of Women – Pilipinas
Eleven days ago, the Senate passed the Anti-Terrorism Bill which repeals the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, but extends the detention of a suspect following warrantless arrest to fourteen (14) days, from a maximum of three (3) days provided in the HSA. The said bill authored by Sen. Panfilo Lacson also removed the penalty of half a million pesos against erring law enforcers. Sec. 16 of the anti-terrorism bill extended the period for surveillance of suspect’s communications from 30 days to 60 days, which can be extended further by 30 days.
Dalawampu’t limang taon mula nang ipagtibay ng buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, ang kahalagahan ng pagkakapantay-pantay ng mga kasarian (gender equality) sa pangkalahatang kaunlarang panlipunan, pagkakapantay-pantay pa rin ang ating panawagan.
Tumataas ang bilang ng mga kababaihang nagpapalakad ng kabuhayan ng kanilang pamilya, o “women-headed households” (Philippine Commission on Women). Dalawang milyon sa tatlong milyong solo parents ay kababaihan (Philippine Statistics Authority). Ngunit mas malaking porsiyento ng kababaihan ang walang trabaho, mas mababa ang sahod kaysa kalalakihan at higit na nanganganib o bulnerable sa delikado at di-regular na trabaho, at abusong sekswal (Philippine Institute for Development Studies).
President Duterte steadily marches towards authoritarian rule, with the Courts, the Executive branch and the Philippine Congress delivering one after the other, legislative, judicial and executive measures versus popular dissent and criticism. On February 10th Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a Quo Warranto petition before the Supreme Court seeking to forfeit the franchise of media corporation ABS CBN, and subsequently sought a gag order against any public discussion on the issue. On February 14th the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest against former Senator and opposition figure Antonio Trillanes and 10 others on charges of conspiracy to commit sedition.
December 10th is the 71st commemoration of International Human Rights Day. This year focuses on young human rights defenders all over the world, and the challenge of shrinking civic spaces in the Philippines.
The past couple of years marked an extraordinary rise of young people’s movements which call out injustice, corporate greed, violence and inequality. From climate and land issues to discrimination and disinformation, labor contractualization and extra-judicial killings, the youth’s boundless energy gave us inspiration to fight for a better world. The next generation of human rights defenders are front and center in the defense of our environment, sovereignty, economic sustainability, food security, gender equality, climate justice, speaking truth to power.
