Archives: Media Releases

KARAPATAN criticized the recent statements made by Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Pio Catapang Jr. denying the existence of political prisoners at the New Bilbid Prisons (NBP) or in any prison facility under the BuCor. Catapang made the statement in response to a petition by 45 political prisoners detained at the NBP, urging the …

KARAPATAN: Catapang can’t deny political prisoners–79 are in BuCor prisons Read More »

KARAPATAN strongly condemns the violent dispersal of protesters and harassment of photojournalists on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, as the human rights group warns the Philippine National Police (PNP) against any attempt to obstruct or block protests in the lead-up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth …

KARAPATAN condemns PNP’s violent dispersal, harassment of protesters and journalists Read More »

Sen. Alan Cayetano’s reference to detained senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta as “political prisoners” is a grave insult to the 560 political prisoners and scores of former political prisoners, who have been persecuted by the State to deter them and their communities from exercising their rights and practicing their socio-political beliefs. Excuse me, Sen. …

Former political prisoner twits Cayetano on his remarks on political prisoners in the impeachment trial Read More »

KARAPATAN denounced the Trump administration’s declaration of a global offensive against what it calls “Radical Left terrorism,” warning that this campaign threatens to further legitimize the weaponization of counter-terrorism laws and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law against anti-imperialist and anti-fascist activists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and people’s movements worldwide, including …

KARAPATAN warns Trump’s global anti-left drive will worsen rights situation, crackdown on dissent in PH Read More »

Today, July 18, marks the day of our celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and his contributions to genuine democracy and social justice. He served and continuously serves as the symbol of Black African resistance against an apartheid system. From a young age, Mandela was aware of how he and his fellows were subject to several …

Free All Political Prisoners! Read More »

On the Day of Action Against Terror Laws, KARAPATAN joined people’s organizations and movements in condemning the continuing human rights violations perpetrated through the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA or Republic Act No. 11479) and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (TFPSA or Republic Act No. 10168), which rights advocates have long …

Six years of Anti-Terrorism Act: Repeal the twin terror laws, end the criminalization of dissent – KARAPATAN Read More »

On June 26, 2026, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, and as the United Nations begins its Global Review of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy, KARAPATAN calls for the release of all political prisoners in the Philippines who experienced torture, prolonged and arbitrary detention, trumped-up charges included terror legislations, and the criminalization of dissent. …

KARAPATAN: Stop torture, free all political prisoners! Read More »

KARAPATAN expressed grave concern over calls to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 in light of the recent school shooting in Tacloban City involving a 14-year old and a 15-year old that resulted in the death of three students and injuries to 20 others. “These calls divert attention from multiple …

Rights group expresses concern on calls to lower minimum age of criminal responsibility, increased police presence in schools Read More »

Brussels, Belgium — KARAPATAN Deputy Secretary General Maria Sol Taule and peasant advocate and former political prisoner Amanda Echanis met with several Members of the European Parliament, including Marta Temido, Rudi Kennes, Marc Botenga, Catarina Vieira, Jörgen Warborn, and Francisco Assis, to discuss the possible adverse implications of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the …

Rights defenders warn against advancing EU-Philippines FTA amid ongoing Human Rights Violations Read More »

KARAPATAN condemned the spate of rights violations this June that have victimized a civilian couple in Bukidnon, a community of farmers in Camarines Sur and a Cagayan province-based human rights lawyer. In Sitio Mahayag, Barangay St. Peter, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, trigger-happy troopers of the 88th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) shot at a couple …

Rights group denounced recent rights violations under Marcos Jr. Read More »