Media Releases
Detention of Cambodian rights leaders, dissolution of Maldivian rights group signs of closing civic spaces in Asia Pacific
Submitted on Mon, 11/11/2019 - 13:09Philippine human rights group Karapatan joins other human rights groups and advocates in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region in expressing the strongest condemnation on the growing threats and attacks on human rights defenders in the region, particularly the detention of Cambodian human rights leader Mu Sochu
Karapatan hits DND, AFP for maliciously tagging religious and aid groups as “legal fronts”
Submitted on Fri, 11/08/2019 - 09:21
Human rights group Karapatan expresses its deep concern over the recent presentation made by the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which tagged various religious and humanitarian organizations as fronts of the “Communist Terrorist Group.”
On Tuesday, November 5, while presenting the AFP Modernization Program in a hearing at the House of Representatives, Major General Reuben Basiao, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelli
Karapatan questions QC judge’s role in weaponizing the law to target activists
Submitted on Wed, 11/06/2019 - 07:59
Human rights group Karapatan, along with various people’s organizations, trooped to the Quezon City Hall of Justice on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 to question and denounce the acts of an executive judge who issued the patently baseless search warrants that led to the raids of offices of progressive groups and the arbitrary arrest of dozens of activists. The search warrants led to the filing of trumped-up charges on the basis of planted evidence, covering offices of people's organizations in Negros and Manila.
Series of raids, killing of former political prisoner and disappearance of former Karapatan officer mark intensifying crackdown
Submitted on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 15:39
Human rights group Karapatan strongly assails the Duterte government and its whole gamut of state forces for orchestrating an intensifying crackdown against legal organizations and vocal activists. Progressive advocacy groups such as Karapatan, Bayan, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, among others, have battled through different governments and numerous repressive policies.
Karapatan protests DND request to transfer peace consultant Frank Fernandez from Taguig to Laguna
Submitted on Mon, 11/04/2019 - 10:17
In a letter dated July 25, 2019, the Department of National Defense (DND), through Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, requested the transfer of peace consultants Frank Fernandez and his wife Cleofe Lagtapon from the Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4 to the Laguna Provincial Jail.
“Evidence” seized from raids, mass arrests in Bacolod all planted by operatives amid gov’t bid to silence and discredit critics
Submitted on Sun, 11/03/2019 - 10:14
Human rights group Karapatan strongly decried the coordinated raids and mass arrests conducted against activists and progressive organizations in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and in Manila on Thursday, October 31. The rights group asserted that the evidence allegedly gathered from the raids were planted, and were mere “Halloween dirty tricks” by the Duterte regime to discredit and silence its critics amid growing public discontent on the regime’s anti-people policies.
At least 59 activists arbitrarily arrested in widespread crackdown on people's organizations in Negros and Manila
Submitted on Fri, 11/01/2019 - 14:42
On October 31, 2019, the offices of Bayan, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Karapatan, Gabriela, the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) and the Negros Island Health Integrated Program were simultaneously raided, along with the residence of local leaders in Bacolod City and Manila. As of this writing, 59 individuals, including minors, were arbitrarily arrested. Interestingly, the raids were executed on the basis of search warrants issued from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89, signed by Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert.
Karapatan highlights police impunity as Negros cops awarded amid widespread violations
Submitted on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 18:35
"A militarist government rewards human rights violators," said Karapatan Vice Chairperson Reylan Vergara, following the news of Negros cops being accorded awards.
Karapatan calls for impartial investigation on October 23 "encounter" in Midsayap, North Cotabato
Submitted on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 18:17
Human rights group Karapatan raised alarm over the reported killing of seven individuals in a joint military and police operation in Midsayap, North Cotabato last Wednesday, October 23, 2019 against alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). According to relatives of those killed, the casualties are not BIFF fighters but mere minors who were falsely branded as child soldiers.
After highlighting "health crisis" in the country, doctor-unionist hounded by death threats - Karapatan
Submitted on Wed, 10/23/2019 - 10:06
Human rights alliance Karapatan vehemently condemns the recent death threats sent to Dr. Gene Nisperos, UP College of Medicine Faculty and President of the All UP Academic Employees Union - Manila Chapter (AUPAEU-Manila), his wife Dr. Julie Caguiat, Executive Director of health group COMMED, and their children.
