Media Releases
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.
Rights groups file complaint at CHR vs surveillance, threats
Submitted on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 17:56
Human rights alliance Karapatan, together with environmental and indigenous peoples’ groups, trooped to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, to file a complaint on recent cases of state-perpetrated attacks, threats, and acts of reprisals against human rights defenders and their organizations.
“We strongly decry these efforts to harass human rights workers and to undermine our work.
Injustice, killings, government neglect of agriculture mark this year’s Peasant Month – Karapatan
Submitted on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 11:08
“We commemorate peasant month with a firm recognition for all the peasant leaders who were killed by the Duterte government for upholding the call for genuine agrarian reform. We honor the lives of peasant organizers and peasant leaders who stood strong amid State fascism and militarization in their communities. Our farmers are among the most neglected and marginalized sector in the country. Their resistance to governments who continue to perpetuate injustice and violations is justified and necessary. We echo their call for justice, food sovereignty and genuine agrarian reform,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.
Rights group decries attacks, crackdown on teacher-unionists and Lumad volunteer teachers
Submitted on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 10:30
Human rights alliance Karapatan condemns in the strongest terms the consecutive attacks against members of progressive teachers’ union Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in what appears to be targeted and organized efforts to crack down, intimidate, even kill its members.
Karapatan: Duterte’s “kill” order to Espenido is a directive to murder more Filipinos
Submitted on Sat, 10/19/2019 - 09:48
Human rights group Karapatan strongly denounces the recent orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, the former chief of police of Albuera, Leyte and Ozamiz City where two mayors were killed in police operations, to feel “free to kill everybody.”
In a speech last Thursday night, Duterte further said he sent Espenido to Bacolod, which he referred to as a city “badly hit” by illegal drugs.
Karapatan assails latest killing of former journalist and village councilor in Eastern Visayas
Submitted on Fri, 10/18/2019 - 09:14
"Two more civilians were killed in Eastern Visayas - one a former journalist and another a village councilor by riding-in-tandem gunmen. The use of riding-in-tandem gunmen was a rampant modus operandi under then-President Gloria Arroyo's brand of State terrorism. This is done to mask the perpetrators and conveniently refute any link that the attacks were State-perpetrated.
Karapatan demands justice for Filipino migrant worker Mary Jean Alberto
Submitted on Wed, 10/16/2019 - 12:30
Human rights group Karapatan joins the family of Mary Jean Alberto in calling for justice amid her cruel ordeal and death. Mary Jean is a Filipino migrant worker in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates who was reportedly killed by her Moroccan employer last October 2, 2019. Karapatan extends its condolences to the victim’s family.
