As an organization that champions human rights for all at every opportunity, Amnesty International Philippines is taking action this election in order to emphasize how human rights empowers the individual to create change within themselves and towards creating change in society
In this election, it is important to underline the relationship between the experience of each person and their enjoyment of the rights that the government should be protecting. The continuing fight for human rights depends on the individual’s critical review of the candidates’ platforms It is good to know if their platforms prioritize the welfare of us as Filipinos
The “Sagot Mo Ba Ako? (Do You Have My Back?) or SMBA Project” of Amnesty International Philippines aims to show the importance of everyday life concerns of Filipinos as legitimate experiences that demonstrate how human rights should be prioritized by those who seek a government office.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘War on Drugs’ had thousands of victims Within six years, there have been 6,000 cases pending investigation according to the Department of Justice Does your candidate guarantee that those who violated the human rights of the victims will be held accountable and that their families will receive justice?
The COVID-19 response of the government was riddled with corruption and incompentence It only served to highlight the problems in the Philippines’ healthcare system Does your candidate guarantee the conduct of a well-thought-out plan for the recovery of the country from the pandemic situation?
Philippines' foreign debt has reached 11 7 trillion Pesos because of the pandemic Does your candidate guarantee the management of the country’s debt while ensuring that no one sector gets left behind?
SMBA also recognizes that based on personal experiences, the Filipino people will elect a leader who will not only bring a better life to them as indivduals but will also give the country more opportunities to ensure that every Filipino may improve their lives in all aspects of our society – without any hint of corruption, deceit or dishonesty
For the upcoming national election this May, Amnesty International Philippines is once again asking each candidate, “Sagot Mo Ba Ako?” As a starting point, Amnesty International Philippines sent an open letter to those running for office to serve as a reminder, an invitation and a challenge to the candidate to include human rights in each of their platforms and action plans.
Amnesty International Philippines has requested the Human Rights Action Plan from those running for President, Vice President and Senator – not only about their stand on various issues but their concrete plans, programs and actions to address the problem of human rights faced by Filipino citizens We also asked for a clear answer on the following issues:
The quality of education in the country was also negatively impacted by the pandemic Does your candidate guarantee to prioritize the welfare of the students and the livelihood of teachers and other school administrators, especially given that the two years of remote learning had a huge effect on both teachers and students, and we are now expecting that schools will open up again?
400 activists and organizers and 20 media workers were killed during the administration of President Duterte, and there are still hundreds of cases of those killed and have yet to receive justice from previous administrations Does your candidate guarantee that they will protect human rights defenders and other individuals who are vocal critics of the government?
An initial sign that a candidate truly recognizes the responsibilities of the position they are seeking is when they have a good understanding of human rights and have, upon their own initiative, crafted a plan to answer the different human rights issues in the country
Check out Amnesty International Philippines’ website and social media to see the breakdown of which candidates responded to our open letter and which of them have platforms that align with the five human rights issues discussed above
Through this eight-point agenda, Amnesty International urges the candidates running in the May 2022 Philippine elections to commit to putting human rights at the centre of their plans by pledging to uphold the recommendations below and addressing human rights explicitly in their campaigns. Commitment to human rights must be visible in the candidates’ plans of action so Filipinos are aware of candidates’ stance on this issue before they cast their vote In this agenda, Amnesty International puts forward key human rights issues and offers recommendations so that the Philippines may meet its obligations under international human rights law
Extrajudicial executions have been an endemic problem in the Philippines for many years, as authorities have also consistently failed to improve a weak justice system that has thus far failed to investigate, prosecute and sanction those responsible for committing or ordering extrajudicial executions These extrajudicial executions increased dramatically in 2016, when President Duterte’s regime began Justice has been incredibly difficult to obtain for victim’s families due to fabricated police reports, and threats of reprisal against families and witnesses
Amnesty calls to urgently put an end to extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention and other human rights violations and to end the harmful rhetoric, incitement and any form of justification to commit violence against people suspected of using or selling illicit drugs; to empower an independent body to conduct impartial investigations into law enforcement officials and authorities suspected of being involved in the extra-judicial killings; and to allow unhindered access to investigative mechanisms by the ICC
Human rights defenders and political activists, especially those accused by the government of supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), an act referred to as "redtagging" - have long been the subject of attacks from the government over the years Under the Duterte administration, there has been an alarming rise in the number of killings and other attacks, threats and harassment of human rights defenders, political activists, journalists, Indigenous peoples, judges, lawyers and other government critics
Amnesty recommends ceasing threats and attacks and to expressly condemn and end any harmful or threatening rhetoric, including “redtagging”, and provide effective protection for civil society organizations, human rights defenders and political activists; ensure fair measures to build trust in law enforcement and security agencies, thereby enabling civil society groups and the public at large to engage with such government agencies tasked with investigating allegations of human rights violations, without fear of reprisal; and reviewing the government’s counter-insurgency policies and agencies, including the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and ending policies which infringe on human rights and do not comply with international human rights law and standards; finally, to establish a national preventative mechanism on torture, in line with the Philippines’ obligations under the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and institutionalize cooperation and collaboration with the Commission on Human Rights
A free media plays an indispensable role in upholding the right to freedom of expression and enabling people to seek and receive information Amnesty International is concerned that press freedom in the Philippines has been severely eroded and assaulted over the last few years. ABS-CBN, the country’s largest broadcast media network and producer of numerous investigations and reports critical of the local government, has been off air since May 2020 when the Philippine Congress – whose members are mostly allies of President Rodrigo Duterte – voted to deny ABSCBN’s franchise renewal application Similarly, Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize awardee and founder of Rappler, has been in a struggle with the law, coming to a culmination in 2020, after she was found guilty of “cyber libel” Amnesty International views both cases as an attack on press freedom
Amnesty calls officials to ensure the immediate resumption of the operations of media network ABS-CBN and cease all attempts to restrict press freedom in the country, to drop all charges against Maria Ressa, her current and former colleagues at Rappler, and Rappler itself; and to end the harassment, intimidation, vilification and other attacks against Maria Ressa, Rappler and other independent media outlets in the Philippines. There must be condemnation of attacks against journalists in the Philippines, and a transparent and just investigation on the killings of journalists Amnesty calls to repeal or substantially amend all laws unduly restricting the right to freedom of expression, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and bring them in line with international human rights law and standards.
The right to health is a human right enshrined in international law. Hospitals and medical facilities in the Philippines have long been neglected and underfunded by the government, and surges of cases of Covid-19 in the last couple of years brought to fore the severe gaps in the country’s healthcare system: hospitals are understaffed and unequipped, healthcare workers are underpaid, overworked, and continue to endure difficulties such as unpaid benefits and the lack of medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE)
In Metro Manila, under varying degrees of quarantine measures since March 2020, marginalised communities have suffered at the hands of police and local officials who often resorted to excessive force in implementing lockdowns. Due to restrictions, these communities also faced a loss of income, and inability to access healthcare and public transportation Allegations of corruption with respect to the handling of pandemic response funds by the Department of Health may have resulted in violations of the right to health
Amnesty recommends: that the government increase the budget and investments to the public health sector, with a goal of building a more robust national health system that can sustainably increase the availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of health facilities and services, and develop a plan to ensure that the public health system is adequately funded and staffed. Furthermore, there must be full and equitable access to vaccines and vaccine information to all, and especially to low-income and marginalized communities, who must be provided with financial and health assistance when necessary The government must not impose disproportionately punitive measures and prioritize accessibility – to compel immunization. Finally, to put an end to corruption within government, ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public finances in health and to investigate and address allegations of corruption and bring those responsible to justice in fair trials
Amnesty International’s research on the situation of workers in nickel mining companies in Dinagat Islands revealed numerous examples of workers being hired without contracts, having the payment of their wages delayed and not being paid compulsory employee benefits – all of which constitute violations of Philippines labour laws and international human rights law and standards The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how contract workers in the health sector faced low protection and delays in their allowances and benefits Despite Overseas Filipino Workers' remittances making up large portion of the economy, many still suffer from wideranging labour abuses, including illegal recruitment practices
Amnesty recommends that the government strengthen institutions responsible for enforcing labour standards, so they are better resourced and have greater capacity to, among other things, monitor and inspect business activities, ensure the fair and timely resolution of worker disputes with their employers, and more effectively collaborate and coordinate with other parts of government All relevant legislation should be consistent with the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ General Comment No 23 on the right to just and favorable conditions of work.
Amnesty further recommends that the government recruit and train health workers, and ensure that they work under conditions that protect their health, safety and well-being and are in line with international human rights standards –including being paid fair wages; collect and publish data by occupation, including categories of health and other essential workers who have been infected and perished under COVID-19, in order to ensure effective protection in the future; strengthen efforts to protect overseas Filipino workers, including by monitoring, investigating and prosecuting unfair and illegal practices of recruitment agencies and by working with destination countries toward the inclusion of these workers in domestic labor protection laws.
Over the past six years, killings and other violent attacks have escalated against leaders and members of Indigenous communities who have been red-tagged by government security forces Nine individuals were killed on 30 December 2020 as police and military officers reportedly forcibly entered the houses of targeted members of the Tumandok community in Panay Island. Nothing has to date been made public about the investigation into the lapses in this case Others who are members of or supporting Indigenous communities in the country have been subject to a similar fate. The situation of Indigenous peoples remains concerning, despite the Philippine government voting to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007 and the Duterte administration reaffirming in 2017 its commitment to implement the Declaration
Amnesty calls to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), and monitor and address, in full consultation with affected communities, challenges preventing the proper functioning of the law; end violence, arrests and harassment against Indigenous individuals and to ensure their protection and securityincluding those risking their lives to call attention to human rights violations in their communities and fight for Indigenous peoples’ rights; launch prompt and impartial investigations into attacks and prosecute and bring to justice those found responsible; take appropriate steps to protect the rights and safety of LGBTI people, and to prevent threats or attacks against them- and to investigate attacks justly, by passing legislation, such as the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill and the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression) Equality Bill, that provides LGBTI people and different marginalized and vulnerable groups protection against violence and forms of attacks; address HIV-related discrimination of LGBTI people, and ensure that testing and treatment are readily and easily available to people living with HIV
The government has the obligation to ensure that education, as a right, is accessible to all, inclusive and non-discriminatory, and of good quality For many decades, however, there has not been sufficient investment by the government in the public education system Public schools have faced insufficient facilities and equipment, especially in remote areas Public school teachers are overworked and underpaid, and have to use their own funds to properly teach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of children experienced devastating impacts on their education due to the closure of schools and the shift to remote or online classes to which students and their teachers were not equipped to adapt to technologically According to UNICEF Philippines, the delays and obstacles to schooling will have long-term effects on students, including a loss of learning, mental health issues, heightened risk of drop out, child labor and child marriage
Indigenous children face specific challenges, including the threat of red-tagging of their communities by the government, such as when security forces raided a school in Cebu City where students from Indigenous communities displaced by armed conflict were living.
Amnesty recommends that the government strengthen efforts to guarantee the right to education in the aftermath of lockdown measures and school closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including by facilitating the return of students to schools as part of the safe resumption of in-person classes; where classes in physical spaces have yet to resume, both students and teachers must receive adequate support to ensure continued learning, such as the provision of gadgets and other resources required for online or remote classes; increase budgetary allocation for public education, while ensuring that public school teachers are sufficiently trained and paid fair wages and other benefits commensurate to their work; enhance measures to ensure universal access to quality education; alternative learning systems, such as those initiated by community-based organizations for students from Indigenous communities, must not be closed down and threatened, and must instead be given government support, with a view to making education accessible to all; continue efforts to increase the enrolment of children in schools; address the root causes of lack of education, including poverty, a lack of school buildings especially in remote areas, and insufficient funding, especially for early childhood education.
Climate change threatens the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of present and future generations of Filipinos The Philippines is already witnessing the devastating impact of climate change, such as severe heatwaves and typhoons of high intensity These events, together with the onset of other impacts of climate change, severely threaten the enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to life, water, food, housing, health, sanitation, adequate standard of living, and work in the country
The government has failed to protect human rights in the context of increasing climate change-related disasters Eight years after typhoon Yolanda, in 2021, the Philippine National Housing Authority (NHA) reported that low completion rate, low occupancy, lack of basic utilities, and the distance from sources of income remain foremost issues in the government’s Yolanda housing program in affected areas. The Commission on Audit also criticized the government for its poor use of donated funds and charges were recommended by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission against government officials.
In response to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in February 2022, climate change adaptation experts in the country, including from Greenpeace, called on the Philippine government to strengthen its strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including supporting the conservation and expansion of mangrove and beach forests, protecting watersheds and restoring forest cover, and building the capacities of communities to adapt by understanding their needs and rights
Amnesty urges officials to take steps to put in place human rights-consistent legislation, policies and services relating to disaster preparedness and response, and ensure that the rights of people living in vulnerable communities – such as the rights to life, livelihood, water, housing – are respected and upheld especially in times of disasters, including ensuring access to necessary supplies and facilities without discrimination to victims of typhoon Yolanda and all those affected by severe weather events; adopt and implement human rights-consistent adaptation measures that adequately protect people from the foreseeable and unavoidable impacts of the climate crisis The government must listen to the needs of different groups by identifying and addressing the factors, including marginalization and discrimination, and allocating adequate resources for those greatest at risk In moving forward, the government must identify the Philippines’ exact needs in terms of technology transfer and financial resources needed from wealthier countries to complement its adaptation efforts and for loss and damage in a manner that fully protects human rights in the face of the climate crisis; and ensure that funds received through international cooperation and assistance are used to protect and fulfil human rights and are accessible to people who need it most
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2021/22: THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S HUMAN RIGHTS FINDS THAT
STATES, ALONGSIDE CORPORATE TITANS, HAVE IN FACT DRIVEN DEEPER GLOBAL INEQUALITY THE REPORT DETAILS ROOT CAUSES INCLUDING NOXIOUS CORPORATE GREED AND BRUTAL NATIONAL SELFISHNESS, AS WELL AS NEGLECT OF HEALTH AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE BY GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE WORLD.
The rapid roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines appeared to be a scientific silver bullet, offering hope of an end to the pandemic for all
However, despite enough production to fully vaccinate the world in 2021, by year’s end less than 4% of those living in low-income countries had been fully vaccinated
Wealthy states such as EU member states, the UK and the USA stockpiled more doses than needed, whilst turning a blind eye as Big Pharma put profits ahead of people, refusing to share their technology to enable wider distribution of vaccines In 2021, Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna projected eye-watering profits of up to US$54 billion yet supplied less than 2% of their vaccines to low-income countries
Big Pharma were not the only corporate giants to undermine pandemic recovery for profit Social media companies such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter provided fertile ground for Covid-19 misinformation, allowing vaccine hesitancy to flourish Some political leaders also acted as super-spreaders of misinformation, breeding distrust and fear for their own political gain
Whilst many countries in the Global South reaped the consequences of collusion between corporate giants and western governments, devastation was compounded by health systems and economic and social support crumbling under the weight of decades of neglect Nowhere was this felt more clearly and cruelly than in Africa, which is why Amnesty International launches its report today from South Africa
With less than 8% of the continent’s population fully vaccinated by the end of 2021, it holds the lowest vaccination rate in the world, beleaguered by insufficient supplies provided to the COVAX facility, the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust and through bilateral donations. Populations have been left exposed as roll-out campaigns have faltered or failed in countries with already inadequate healthcare systems
In South Africa, approximately 750,000 children had dropped out of school by May, over three times the prepandemic number In Viet Nam women migrant workers were particularly impacted, reporting food insecurity and inability to meet other basic needs. In Venezuela, the pandemic worsened a pre-existing humanitarian emergency: 94 5% of the population was living in income poverty and 76 6% in extreme poverty
Global trends to stifle independent and critical voices gathered steam in 2021 as governments deployed a widening gamut of tools and tactics Human rights defenders, NGOs, media outlets and opposition leaders were the targets of unlawful detention, torture and enforced disappearance, many under the smokescreen of the pandemic
At least 67 countries introduced new laws in 2021 to restrict freedom of expression, association or assembly. In the USA, at least 36 states introduced more than 80 pieces of draft legislation limiting freedom of assembly, whilst the UK government proposed the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which would drastically curtail the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including by expanding police powers
Surreptitious digital technologies were further weaponized In Russia, the government turned to facial recognition to undertake mass arrests of peaceful protesters In China, the authorities ordered internet service providers to sever access to websites that “endangered national security”, and blocked apps on which controversial topics such as Xinjiang and Hong Kong were discussed In Cuba, Eswatini, Iran, Myanmar, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan, authorities resorted to internet shutdowns and disruptions to prevent people from sharing information about repression and organizing in response
If in 2021 those in power lacked the ambition and imagination to tackle one of the gravest threats to humanity, the same cannot be said for the people they should have represented
Protesters took to the streets in Colombia after the government decided to raise taxes even as people were struggling to feed their families during the pandemic In Russia, opposition rallies went ahead in the face of mass arbitrary arrests and prosecutions Indian farmers protested new laws that they said would hurt their livelihood
Youth and Indigenous activists around the world called out leaders for their failure to act on the climate crisis Civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, successfully lobbied for the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment Innovative strategic litigation cases and criminal complaints were filed by NGOs against multinational companies including Nike, Patagonia and C&A for their complicity in forced labour in the Xinjiang region of China.
In a great example of cooperation, the Pegasus Project – a collaboration of more than 80 journalists, with technical support from Amnesty International – revealed that the spyware of Israel’s NSO Group had been used against heads of state, activists and journalists in Azerbaijan, Hungary, Morocco, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia
Lack of accountability continued to facilitate unlawful killings and other human rights violations under the government’s “war on drugs” campaign. The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced an investigation into crimes against humanity. Human rights defenders, political activists and politicians were subjected to unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, and harassment. Indigenous peoples were the target of attacks by the authorities and unknown assailants. Inadequate access to healthcare worsened as Covid-19 infection rates rose. Maria Ressa, journalist and critic of the “war on drugs”, won a Nobel Peace Prize but continued to face decades in jail for pending cases brought against her including by the government.
Restrictions remained in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that disproportionately affected people living in poverty. Preparations began for the May 2022 presidential elections.
Extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations continued under the government’s ongoing “war on drugs ” President Duterte continued to incite violence against people suspected of using or selling drugs In his State of the Nation Address in July, he also called on Congress to legislate for free legal assistance for members of the security forces accused of unlawful killings
In October, the Department of Justice released partial information from its review of just 52 of the thousands of cases involving killings by police during anti-drug operations Although the review was woefully inadequate and failed to meet international standards, its limited findings contradicted police claims that lethal force had been justified, and confirmed violations documented by local and international human rights groups
In September, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber authorized an investigation into crimes, including the crime against humanity of murder committed in the context of the “war on drugs,” throughout the country between 2016 and 2019, and killings in the Davao area between 2011 and 2016 The government said it would not cooperate with the investigation In November, the ICC announced that it had temporarily suspended the investigation, following a request by the Philippine government
UN experts and human rights groups repeated calls for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to set up an international investigation into killings and other human rights violations, amid concerns that the joint UN capacity-building and technical assistance programme established under a 2020 UNHRC resolution was failing to advance justice and protect human rights
The linking of organizations and individuals to communist groups by the authorities, known as “red-tagging”, led to killings and harassment of human rights defenders, political activists and others On 7 March, security forces killed nine people and arrested six others in simultaneous raids against “red-tagged” groups in Southern Tagalog. Environmental activists and urban poor community leaders were among those arrested and killed Allegations by the security forces that firearms and explosives were seized during the raids, and that those killed were resisting arrest, were denied by the groups involved In a speech given two days before the raids, President Duterte said that he had ordered the police and military to “kill” communist rebels In December, the Department of Justice recommended the filing of murder charges against 17 law enforcement officials for the death of labour leader Emmanuel Asuncion during the raids.
Opposition to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which granted the government broad powers to detain perceived enemies of the state, continued In December, the Supreme Court, acting on petitions challenging the constitutionality of the ATA struck down two portions of the law, including parts of Section that vaguely and broadly defined acts of terror, which the Court found to be “overbroad and violative of the freedom of expression”
However, the law remained flawed and open to abuse In July, a court in Olongapo city in Central Luzon dismissed charges against two members of the Indigenous Aeta community as a case of mistaken identities. The case was believed to be the first brought under the ATA since it was introduced in July 2020
Prisoner of conscience Senator Leila de Lima, one of the first opposition politicians targeted by the Duterte administration, spent her fifth year in detention In February, a court dismissed one of three politically- motivated charges against her – that of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading
Attacks persisted against Indigenous peoples and Indigenous peoples’ rights activists In January, the Cordillera police chief issued an order to “shoot-to-kill” Windel Bolinget, a prominent Indigenous peoples’ rights advocate, if he resisted a warrant for his arrest A politically motivated murder charge against Windel Bolinget was dismissed in July
On 28 February, unknown assailants shot dead Julie Catamin, the chief of Roosevelt village in Tapaz municipality, Capiz province She had been a witness in a case relating to a police raid in December 2020 in which community leaders from the Tumandok Indigenous people were arrested and others killed On 3 March, masked assailants stabbed and seriously injured Angelo Karlo Guillen, the lawyer for the Tumandok community leaders, in Iloilo City.
In February, security forces raided a school in Cebu City in which students from Indigenous communities displaced by armed conflict were living. Seven people, including students, teachers and a community elder, were arrested without warrants and charged with kidnapping and human trafficking They were detained for three months before the charges were dismissed
In March, the House of Representatives passed a bill amending the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 The bill contained provisions that could encourage arbitrary arrests and would violate the right to fair trial, including the presumption of innocence of people accused of using or selling drugs. The bill remained before the Senate at year end
In April, a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths was recorded, leading to accusations of government mishandling of the pandemic The already inadequate healthcare system lacked sufficient hospital beds and health workers to treat Covid-19 patients The government began a Covid-19 vaccination programme in March, but there were concerns about slow implementation, uneven geographical distribution and discriminatory access to vaccines
In August, a report by the independent statutory body, the Commission on Audit, revealed deficiencies in the Department of Health’s handling of funds allocated to the Covid-19 response, including irregularities in the transfer of funds between government departments The findings prompted a Senate Committee investigation, which recommended that perjury charges be filed against senior executives of a company that had been awarded PPE procurement contracts, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, and several former government aides.
In October, journalist Maria Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, in recognition of her fight for press freedom in the Philippines In June and August, two charges of cyber libel against her were dismissed, but she continued to face other charges for which she could face up to 60 years in prison if found guilty
In April, authorities “red-tagged” individuals and groups involved in running “community pantries” that provided food to those in need because of unemployment during the pandemic
In August, a report documented abuses of workers’ rights in the nickel mining sector on Dinagat Island, including employment without contracts, delayed payment of wages and non-payment of compulsory benefits
On 2 March, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 7814 to amend the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which would reintroduce the death penalty for drugs-related offences The bill remained pending before the Senate at year’s end Several other bills to reintroduce the death penalty also remained pending before the House of Representatives and the Senate
On 18 September, eight LGBTI individuals were injured when an improvised explosive device went off during a volleyball tournament in Maguindanao province The Bangsamoro parliament condemned the incident as a hate crime and called on the authorities to investigate
Bernardo Caal Xol, a 50-year-old indigenous teacher, trade unionist and defender of the rights of the Indigenous Maya Q’eqchi’ people and of land, territorial and environmental rights, has been wrongfully imprisoned since 30 January 2018 for defending the rights of the Maya Q’eqchi’ communities affected by the construction of a hydroelectric project on the sacred Cahabón river, in the department of Alta Verapaz, northern Guatemala. Despite the lack of factual evidence to support the charges, on 9 November 2018, the court in Cobán sentenced him to 7 years and 4 months in prison for the crimes of aggravated robbery and aggravated illegal detention
On 16 July 2020, Amnesty International named Bernardo Caal a prisoner of conscience. The Guatemalan human rights defender was one of the individuals included in Amnesty International’s annual and global Write for Rights campaign in 2021, during which people around the world took around half a million actions calling for Bernardo Caal’s release. Bernardo Caal and his lawyers filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court in September 2021 to review the sentence for human rights violations, but the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court rejected it Immediately afterwards, Bernardo Caal and his lawyers filed an injunction against this decision, which has not yet been resolved.
On 24 March 2022, Bernardo Caal Xol was released from the penitentiary centre in Cobán after more than four years of imprisonment. The defender’s lawyers reported that a judge had ordered his release for good behaviour.
After reviewing the criminal case against Bernardo Caal Xol, Amnesty International found that there was no evidence of the crimes he was accused of The proceedings against him show similar patterns of criminalization that the organization has documented against other human rights defenders in Guatemala. Amnesty International therefore considers Bernardo Caal Xol a prisoner of conscience and has been campaigning globally for years for his immediate and unconditional release.
“It’s great news for Bernardo, his family and Guatemala’s Indigenous Mayan Q’eqchi’ communities that he can leave prison and be reunited with his loved ones after more than four years of being a prisoner of conscience However, Bernardo remains convicted of a crime he did not commit and thus the Guatemalan authorities continue to criminalize him for his work in defence of human rights and the environment,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International.
In Guatemala, local and international organizations have recorded high levels of attacks against human rights defenders, especially those involved in the fight against impunity and corruption, as well as journalists. The Unit for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders –Guatemala (UDEFEGUA) recorded 839 attacks against human rights defenders from January to November 2021. Guatemala is also one of the most dangerous countries in the world for defenders of land, territory and the environment, according to the latest Global Witness report Thirteen environmental activists were killed in 2020, again the fourth highest rate of killings of land and environmental defenders per capita
Ever wondered w campaign?
Or how we, as hu explore new form offline spaces?
Then you are in for a treat as Amnesty International Philippines launched its first ever youth-led digital campaigning project called The Digital Disruptors last March 4, 2022
The campaign, which will focus on the role and impact of technology in young people’s lives, is a volunteer opportunity inviting 8 talented young Filipino human rights defenders to take part in shaping the course of the first Digital Disruptors campaign in the Philippines
The search for the 8 young activists who will form the Digital Disruptors Youth Team started last March 4 with the public launch of the project The application period will run from March to April 2022 where at the end of the screening process, 8 applicants will be invited to join the Digital Disruptors Youth Team.
The Digital Disruptors Youth Team will then undergo a series of training and mentorship sessions which will include a 2-week in-person workshop to be facilitated by experts from Amnesty International The training program is designed to provide the Youth Team with knowledge and technical skills on human rights and digital rights that will help in forming their own digital campaign
This opportunity is a volunteer post, and sufficient funding will be given to the Youth Team to make their dream campaign a reality. Support and guidance from the Amnesty International community will also be extended to the team throughout the project At the end of the training and campaign development period, it is expected that the Digital Disruptors Youth Team are now confident and ready to launch their first Digital Disruptors campaign
There is so much to look forward to in Amnesty International’s first youth-led digital campaigning project and this is just one of the many projects AIPh has in store for young Filipino human rights defenders so keep your eyes out for more opportunities
For now, we hope you are ready for the new kids in town.
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a manifest violation of the United Nations Charter and an act of aggression that is a crime under international law, said Amnesty International as it called for all those involved in this crime to be held accountable for those violations Their personal, individual, and collective liability should be invoked for that, and for all the many crimes that have characterised their invasion of Ukraine thus far
Emphasizing the gravity of the Ukraine crisis, the organisation called on UN member states to uphold and defend the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state It noted that the only exceptions to those provisions are self-defense and such use of force as is authorized by the UN Security Council – neither of which applies to this crisis
Amnesty further stressed that, under international law, it is incumbent on all states to settle international disputes by peaceful means and in such a manner that international peace, security, and justice, are not endangered
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is grave, severe and defined by one characteristic only: aggression. Russia is invading into the heart of Ukraine, seeking to depose its lawfully elected government, with a real and potential massive impact on civilians’ lives, safety and well-being; its acts cannot remotely be justified on any of the grounds that Russia has offered. Yet all of this is being committed by a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” said Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
Since the Russia invasion began on 24 February, Amnesty has been documenting the escalation in violations of humanitarian and human rights law, including deaths of civilians resulting from indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas andinfrastructure. Strikes on protected objects such as hospitals and schools, the use of indiscriminate weapons such as ballistic missiles and the use of banned weapons such as cluster bombs, may all qualify as war crimes
“In less than a week, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a massive human rights, humanitarian, and displacement crisis that has the makings of the worst such catastrophe in recent European history. Russia is not only breaching the sovereignty of a neighbour and its people, it is also challenging the global security architecture and exploiting its frailty, including a dysfunctional UN Security Council. There are long-lasting consequences from this for us all. We must not allow aggression and violations of international law to be their architect,” said Agnes Callamard
Meanwhile, as the war rages on in Ukraine, the Russian authorities have unleashed an unprecedented, nationwide crackdown on independent journalism, anti-war protests and dissenting voices in an attempt to stifle any criticism of its actions at home. This clampdown has decimated Russia’s already beleaguered civil society, following nearly a decade of legislative restrictions designed to quell dissenting voices and shrink civic space Following Russia’s exit from the Council of Europe, and its declared intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights, some of the last safeguards against human rights abuses will be off limits to those who need them most in Russia
Whether in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus, human rights defenders, including independent journalists and activists, play a crucial role in collecting evidence, unravelling the truth, and holding perpetrators of violations to account These actors should receive adequate support and protection to be able to continue their crucial work.
Amnesty calls on EU leaders at the European Council to stand firm in denouncing the escalating violations occurring in Ukraine and take all possible steps to ensure those responsible for international crimes are brought to justice. They should step up their efforts to provide relief and assistance to civilians, including all those fleeing the conflict and to support those in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus who continue to deliver the truth and stand up against injustice despite suffering terribly for their cause.
The recommendations of Amnesty fall into four broad categories:
This involves calling on all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, denouncing the targeting of civilian structures such as homes, schools and hospitals; calling on all parties to allow and facilitate the safe passage of fleeing civilians fleeing and unhindred humanitarian access to all affected by hostilities; lending further humanitarian assistance and emergency response to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of civilians;
Under this category also falls the call to cooperate with and provide full political-
-and practical support to the International Criminal Court and its ongoing investigation into the situation in Ukraine and as well as the exercise of universal jurisdiction to investigate international crimes committed in Ukraine.
Here the EU and its member states are recommended to take urgent action to bring Russia onto the agenda of the UN Human Rights Council by establishing a dedicated Special Rapporteur on Russia and to call on Russian authorities to abide by their international human rights obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
This includes providing critical support needs to HRDs and civil society in Ukraine such as immediate financial support, ensuring sustainable methods for financial transfers, relocation of HRDs and family members, protective equipment for HRDs documenting violations, psychological help, etc.; minimizing the reprecussions of EU sanctions such as visa restrictions on ordinary Russian citizens; supporting and protecting HRDs and civil society in Russia
The EU and its member states are urged to enable exit from Ukraine, welcome all people fleeing from Ukraine, grant international protection to those who need it, and share the responsibility for the protection and assistance of people fleeing Ukraine
She's back- stronger than ever. In celebration of women's month in March, Amnesty Philippines pays tribute to the fight for women’s human rights and the role that women human rights defenders have played throughout our history by bringing back its OG woman protagonist
In 2015, as part of the Amnesty’s global campaign, “My Body, My Rights”, AIPH launched the Karapatana Project. Karapatana first appeared in an infographic which was soon followed by the premier of the first issue of The Adventures of Karapatana Comics Karapatana posters and the comics were distributed in health centers nationwide
In 2021, talks began of reviving the character of Karapatana to promote other Amnesty campaigns, the character was reconceptualized, and a whole new back story was created
So as the original SRHR superhero, on International Women’s Day, Amnesty Philippines launched the latest edition of the comics: The Return of Karapatana!
In The Return of Karapatana, more than a singular heroic figure, Karapatana extends her legacy through time. Courageous and empowered heroes in-
-Philippine history have upheld the title, including Tandang Sora, Gabriela Silang, Kumander Liwayway, and many more. The mantle is passed down from generation to generation through a mystical anting-anting (amulet). And the newest Karapatana is revealed to be Diwa Herrera
"As Amnesty International turns the page to the next chapter of its journey, we welcome all-new challenges in the modern world, and the return of a familiar face – A face of hope. A face of strength. A face of change."
I L L U S T R A T O R
Ayi is a visual artist exploring illustration and photography. She has been Artist for Amnesty since 2015.
W R I T E R
Audrey is a creative director at an advertising agency and a freelance writer based in Quezon City. She believes in finding the intersection between passion and purpose.
W R I T E R
Nico is a communications manager for a non-profit and a poet based in Rizal, Philippines Their work has appeared in various publications from the Philippines, USA, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Germany They have been recognized by the Normal Awards for Gender-Inclusive Literature and the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature
Amnesty Philippines kicked off its first Ignite Conversation of the year with 'the Return of Karapatana' launch and meeting the Karapatana creative team
The team was interviewed by host, Rostum Alanas, on their conceptualization and design process for Karapatana, teasers on what's to come for the heroine, the importance of Art in protest - and more!
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON AIPH'S FACEBOOK PAGE
Read 'The Return of Karapatana' Comics on Issuu.
"[In the next issues] our vision for Karapatana is that is continues to be that symbol of hope and change, and tackle issues that are more relevant to Filipino youth."-
It's good to be back.
Audrey Orallo
"Art+Facts Exhibit" by Amnesty Philippines
A virtual exhibit
Relaunched April 1, 2022
Since Amnesty’s founding 60 years ago, artists have been at the forefront of support for Amnesty International Artists have always valued the freedoms and rights that Amnesty works to protect as an integral condition of their creative expression
As such, in 2021, Amnesty Philippines established 'ART+FACTS', a play on the word 'artifact', a virtual space for artists to showcase their art and advocacies, and mobilize people to take action for human rights
This coming Philippine elections, in conjuction with Amnesty Philippines' 'Sagot Mo Ba Ako?' project, Art+Facts relaunched to stand for Freedom of Expression and accountability on local human rights issues.
The exhibit now showcases a plethora of different media, from digital paintings, embroidery, poetry, and short films.
Each artwork is linked to an artist's personal advocacy, wherein people can sign existing petitions in solidarity Some of the key issues include: LGBTI Rights, Freedom of Expression, Farmers' and Environmental Rights, and more
Amnesty Philippines hopes that the exhibit will continue to inspire creativity and action amongst its participants and viewers, especially as they take their stand for human rights in the incoming elections.
" A r t i s a t o o l t h a t c a n i n t e r p r e t a n d c r e a t i v e l y s h o w d i f f e r e n t h u m a n r i g h t s d i l e m m a s I t d i r e c t l y r e p r e s e n t s t h e s u f f e r i n g o f p e o p l e l o n g i n g f o r a s o l u t i o n T h r o u g h a r t , p e o p l e ' s a t t e n t i o n i s c a p t u r e d M o r e o v e r , p e o p l e o f v a r y i n g a g e s w i l l b e a b l e t o h a v e a q u i c k u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f w h a t o t h e r p e o p l e a r e f i g h t i n g f o r . T h i s b e i n g s a i d , a r t u s e d f o r h u m a n r i g h t s a d v o c a c y m u s t n o t b e c o n f u s i n g b u t c o n c i s e s i n c e p e o p l e c a n h a v e d i f f e r e n t p e r s p e c t i v e s a b o u t a r t . "
R A Y O L I V E R A M A N T E
"I am a Culture and Arts Education student. I believe art is a visual voice of the people where they can express their advocacy and has also the power to tell stories, and assist in the unification of communities behind diverse causes and challenges. Art Rights are Human Rights.”
M A R I A D E L O S A N G E L E S E S P A Ñ O L A
" A r t i s s o m e w h a t d e f i n e d a s b o t h f i r e a n d c a l m i n t h e s e n s e t h a t i t i s i t s o w n m e a n i n g . T h r o u g h t h i s f o r m , t h e a d v o c a c y i s v i s u a l i z e d i n t o a m o r e c o n s c i o u s s t a t e . E x p r e s s i v e a n d b e i n g a b l e t o t o u c h h e a r t s i n a l l i t s c r e a t i o n d e p i c t i n g b e a u t y i n e x p r e s s i n g f r e e d o m f r o m c h a o s . "
" H o w i m p o r t a n t i s a r t i n h u m a n r i g h t s a d v o c a c y ? "
"Throughout history, art has been used as a form of expression This time, we use it for advocacy, to catch the attention of the masses and deliver a message about solidarity Art goes a long way in touching people’s hearts, and so we use this medium with the hope of encouraging the community to fight oppression with us "
PHILIPPINE SECTION
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