Media Releases
Ecumenical group exposes rights violations vs IPs, reprisals vs defenders under Duterte administration at the UN HRC
Submitted on Fri, 09/20/2019 - 08:06Human rights defenders from the Philippines submitted statements to the 42nd UN Human Rights Council sessions during the interactive dialogues with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and the Expert Mechanism on t
Mass arrest of 9 cultural workers in Negros, indicative of de facto ML in the island
Submitted on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 19:02
Human rights group Karapatan strongly condemned the unlawful arrest of activists and cultural workers at Escalante City, Negros Occidental on September 18, 2019. Nine activists and artists, who were on their way to perform in an activity in time for the 34th commemoration of the 1985 Escalante Massacre, were illegally arrested and charged with trumped-up charges by elements of the police and the army.
Activist Alexandrea Pacalda was subjected to mental torture, forced to surrender – Karapatan
Submitted on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 17:47On September 14, 2019, Karapatan received information from its regional chapter in Southern Tagalog that Alexandrea Pacalda, a human rights worker affiliated with the organization, was abducted by six operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in General Luna, South Quezon. She was initially brought to the 85th Infantry Battalion headquarters, and then later to the General Luna police station.
Karapatan on 47th anniversary of martial law: End Duterte’s martial law! Resist dictatorship and attacks on people’s rights!
Submitted on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 15:15
47 years ago, darkness reigned, but it did not prevail against the force of a united people.
Karapatan assails arrest, trumped-up charges vs former government workers’ union leader Dizon
Submitted on Thu, 09/19/2019 - 11:21
Human rights alliance Karapatan decried the arrest of Antonietta Setias Dizon, former deputy secretary general of government workers’ union Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), on September 17, 2019 at around 11:50 PM. Contrary to reports, Dizon is not a “top NPA leader”, but is instead a union organizer for several years.
Karapatan: Preposterous Hilongos “mass grave” case used for political persecution
Submitted on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 18:57
On September 18, 2019, the Hilongos “mass grave” case is set to undergo another hearing where the prosecution is expected to present another witness. Karapatan deputy secretary general Roneo Clamor has called the recycling of the Hilongos case as a “circus that is kept alive for political persecution.”
Karapatan assails recent killing of activists, harassment against rights defenders
Submitted on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 10:32
Human rights group Karapatan condemns the Duterte regime for the incessant attacks against activists and human rights defenders. Recently, a farmer activist and a village watchman were killed; and a peasant leader was abducted.
Karapatan bares “rogue gallery” of wanted human rights violators as Duterte gov’t reps face CHR public inquiry
Submitted on Wed, 09/11/2019 - 16:36
Karapatan and various rights groups held a protest action outside the Commission on Human Rights, as government representatives face the public inquiry. Military and police officials, including retired uniformed men appointed by Duterte in his Cabinet, were invited in the said CHR hearing, which started on September 9 and is set to end on September 13, 2019.
PhP8.2B budget of Office of the President to escalate killings, attacks vs Filipinos
Submitted on Wed, 09/11/2019 - 10:32
Human rights group Karapatan questioned and opposed the PhP 8.2 billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) for the year 2020, which was swiftly approved in less than 7 minutes.
‘Only for those favored by the powerful:’ Karapatan hits corruption, irony and impunity amid GCTA Law mess
Submitted on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 10:42
Human rights group Karapatan assailed the abuse of power committed by government officials as records and testimonies unveiled how hundreds of detainees convicted of heinous and drug-related charges were freed from prison amid individuals still suffering from imprisonment because of wrongful conviction, minimal offenses, trumped-up accusations, and inability to seek competent counsel.
In August, the looming release of convicted rapist-murderer and former Calauan Ma
