Media Quote
Responding to the news on Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s day in court to testify on charges filed against her in 2021 under anti-terrorism legislations, Mia Tonogbanua, Board Vice-Chairperson of Amnesty International Philippines said:
“Amnesty International Philippines denounces the continuing unprecedented level of dangers faced by human rights defenders which has become increasingly an unjust pursuit to suppress the right to protest and freedom of expression using undue restrictions and unequal treatment of dissenting voices. A clear pattern of attacks has been documented, not only by Amnesty but the UN and various human rights organizations as well, whereby authorities resort to using a combination of surveillance, red-tagging, and the misuse of anti-terrorism legislations to crackdown on activism and sow fear among human rights defenders, journalists, and activist groups. The case of Tacloban 5’s Frenchie Mae Cumpio serves as a reminder that a “one-stop shop” of intimidation tactics and harassment especially targeting young human rights defenders are carried out unabated under the Marcos administration. This unfair and deplorable practice has to end,”
The case of Tacloban 5’s Frenchie Mae Cumpio serves as a reminder that a “one-stop shop” of intimidation tactics and harassment especially targeting young human rights defenders are carried out unabated under the Marcos administration. This unfair and deplorable practice has to end.
Mia Tonogbanua, Board Vice-Chairperson of Amnesty International Philippines
“Amesty International Philippines reiterates its call to the Philippine government to carry out prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into abuses in the application of the Anti-Terrorism Act and related laws, including the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, especially against human rights defenders and journalists. There is already stockpile of tools of suppression of the right to protest used by the authorities, adding to the abuse of criminal, civil and administrative laws to persecute human rights defenders, which sometimes end in enforced disappearances or extrajudicial executions. This culture of hate and violence perpetrated by the government against human rights defenders dismantles the very foundation needed for a society where people enjoy fundamental human rights when individuals who are standing up for us continue to face persecution for daring to speak out,”
“Human rights defenders are not criminals. Harsh restrictions and sanctions imposed, and absurd requirements for them and their organizations to conduct human rights work have shrunk the space for freedom of expression and created an atmosphere of fear. Individuals who courageously continue with human rights work despite these barriers often end up targeted without any legal protection, the government punish activists, while red-tagging and impunity are still not considered illegal acts,”
“Amnesty also calls on President Marcos to pass the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act as a first step towards recognizing the work of human rights defenders and include among its provisions the definition and penalization of red-tagging. These new protections must be sufficiently clear so as to pre-empt any potential abuse or interpretation to the detriment of human rights defenders. His government should also ensure effective consultation with human rights defenders, including children and young people, so that protection mechanisms respond to their needs, are effective, do no harm and incorporate an intersectional lens.”