Press statement

The Court of Appeals’ decision to uphold the cyberlibel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. sends the chilling and dangerous message to journalists and the public that those who expose and speak against the misdeeds of those in power will face retaliation.

The Marcoses are back, and five days on under the Marcos Jr.’s administration, it seems like they have never left: Imelda is once again partying inside the halls of Malacañang in a shameless display of opulence amid worsening poverty brought by soaring inflation and the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

Photo from Defend Southern Tagalog

Karapatan welcomes the release of our Southern Tagalog human rights worker Nimfa Lanzanas after 16 months in prison. Her release was based on a decision by Judge Cesar Benagua of the Regional Trial Court Branch 37 of Calamba City granting her demurrer to evidence and thereby acquitting her of the trumped up charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Photo by Karl Romano/BenarNews

Photo from Altermidya

Karapatan denounces the arrests of at least 93 farmers, peasant rights advocates including human rights workers and artists, and journalists in relation to the activity of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Brgy. Tinang, Concepcion, Tarlac yesterday morning of June 9, 2022.

Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

Karapatan welcomes the Court of Appeals First Division decision affirming the conviction of butcher Palparan and cohorts. This recent legal victory affirms the need to pursue justice and accountability through and through — despite threats, harassment, reprisals, and patronage by those in power of these human rights violators.

Photo by Ezra Acayan/AP Images

With the proclamation of Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte as president and vice president respectively, we can only expect the worst of times for the state of human rights, justice and accountability in the Philippines, as well as the best of times for the struggle and resistance against tyranny, oppression and genuine democracy.

Photo by Lisa Marie David/Reuters

We call on the public to express our rejection of the Marcos Jr.-Sara Duterte tandem in the 2022 polls and beyond.