Press Release
Amnesty International Philippines emphasized a deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines during the last leg of its rolling launch of Amnesty International Report 2025: State of the World’s Human Rights in Manila. Marked by widespread impunity, shrinking civic space, persistent red-tagging of human rights defenders (HRDs) including journalists, indigenous cultural community leaders, and environmental activists, Amnesty International Philippines Acting Director, Jepie Papa, said that these issues are all underscored in the organization’s Human Rights Legislative Agenda for the 20th Congress updated from 2022 national elections following the mid-terms.
“Every election in the Philippines, Amnesty International offers a clear pathway for reform through legislation calling newly elected Senators and Congress representatives to put human rights at the center of policy making. The post mid-term elections is another pivotal moment for President Marcos, Jr. to show that accountability is a core component in his administration. Amnesty International’s Human Rights Legislative Agenda brings forth human rights recommendations on a number of priority issues, which has been transmitted to the Office of the President in 2022, with an update specifically for the just concluded midterm elections,” Papa explained.
Amnesty International’s Human Rights Legislative Agenda brings forth human rights recommendations on a number of priority issues, which has been transmitted to the Office of the President in 2022, with an update specifically for the just concluded midterm elections
Jepie Papa. Amnesty International Philippines Acting Director
From silencing dissent to eroding environmental protection in favor of profit, Amnesty International’s legislative agenda outlines seven human rights concerns in the country and concrete actions that the Office of the President can support through the Senate and Congress. Coming from its annual report’s Philippine entry on the situation of human rights in 2024 and early 2025, the organization noted that the political chaos seen in the 2025 mid-term election demonstrates how Philippine politics’ fragile power-sharing has had an impact on the overall situation not only of civil and political rights but worse for economic, social, cultural rights, and the environment.
“Filipinos need institutions that withstand celebrity politics, institutions that uphold accountability no matter who is in the Senate and Congress. In Amnesty’s seven-point agenda, we urge our legislators, especially the newly elected, to ensure that the protection and promotion of human rights are a core part of their legislative plans for the country. Amnesty International puts forward key human rights issues and offers recommendations so that the Philippines meet its obligations under international human rights law,” continued Papa.
Amnesty International Philippines also reiterated that millions of Filipinos continue to be left behind even when the Philippine economy grew more robust during the tail end of 2024 and first quarter of 2025.
“Development without equity is just another form of injustice. The discourse is always about pay gaps or poverty incident rates – yes, this is an important factor to be considered for Filipinos to live a decent adequate life, but we need to take a closer look into who really gets to live with dignity and who doesn’t. What really drives poverty and insecurity? This is the human rights issue, we cannot talk about progress while millions go hungry, live in slums, or fear violence for standing up and speaking out. Economic, social, and cultural rights are not optional, these are basic rights. Growth that excludes or disenfranchises marginalized sectors cannot be called progress,” added Papa.
Development without equity is just another form of injustice. The discourse is always about pay gaps or poverty incident rates – yes, this is an important factor to be considered for Filipinos to live a decent adequate life, but we need to take a closer look into who really gets to live with dignity and who doesn’t. What really drives poverty and insecurity? This is the human rights issue, we cannot talk about progress while millions go hungry, live in slums, or fear violence for standing up and speaking out. Economic, social, and cultural rights are not optional, these are basic rights. Growth that excludes or disenfranchises marginalized sectors cannot be called progress
Protests are driven by widespread frustration over corruption, economic challenges, and poor public services. Amnesty International said that a key factor behind public insecurity is when a vast majority of people simply do not enjoy their right to social security which should be realized through the implementation of social protection measures to keep people safe from crises and be given support during precarious situations. Amnesty emphasized that when these are not met, people turn to the streets to protest and call out the government.
“When people are hungry, jobless, and struggle to live every day, when victims of abuse or violence are denied justice, when decision-making is not transparent, or local communities face displacement, protests become a platform to demand accountability, put pressure on authorities to take action, sometimes the only way people can really express dissent. But the right to protest hasn’t always been seen as the first resort, people-powered movements that engage in public participation turn to appropriate venues and mechanisms at the onset until government officials push them to take their concerns to the streets. Yet, the government continues to vilify activists and HRDs by calling us a nuisance, anti-development, or red-tagging us. As if they have done their utmost best.” Papa explained.
Amnesty International Philippines said that it is anticipating the upcoming report, to be released this June by UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, to reflect the reality that freedom of expression and association is under attack in the country and urges the government to welcome the UN recommendations with human rights reform in mind.
“Laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act, the practice of surveillance and red-tagging of human rights defenders show that mechanisms of repression are deeply embedded in the system. The international community has already seen this, with HRDs, development workers, and journalists sharing their personal stories. Their voices must be heard, and their safety must be guaranteed,” added Papa.
Amnesty International Philippines also described the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a brief respite for the family of victims and organizations protesting the non-cooperation of the Marcos Jr. administration during the last few years. For a long time, victims of the “war on drugs” were met with injustice and impunity but the world has not forgotten them, and neither should the rest of the country.
“By rejoining the Rome Statute, fully cooperating with the ICC, and prosecuting perpetrators outside of Duterte’s case, the Philippine government through the Department of Justice (DOJ) can show that it can carry out credible investigations and deliver its promises of ‘real justice in real time’,” said Papa.
Amnesty International Philippines also spotlighted the country’s growing climate crisis as a human rights emergency, especially affecting indigenous cultural communities, farmers and fisherfolks, and the most vulnerable sector – women, children, LGBTQI, and older persons. Lilak Purple Action and 350.0rg were among the organizations present as reactors to Amnesty’s Philippine entry to the report, localizing and giving depth to the issue of climate change and how it affects marginalized groups.
“There is no shortage of policy – only a shortage of political will. Amnesty International’s human rights legislative agenda is clear. This agenda reflects a roadmap for the government to carry out its obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill our human rights. What’s missing might be the political will to take action, a challenge we leave for President Marcos Jr.’s remaining years in Malacañan.” Concluded Papa.
PHILIPPINE ENTRY
The last fabricated charge against human rights defender Leila de Lima was dismissed. Concern grew as more activists were forcibly disappeared. The practice of “red-tagging” human rights defenders, including young activists, persisted, and the government continued to use counterterrorism measures against humanitarian workers. Killings in the context of the “war on drugs” continued. Human rights violations – such as of the right to health – beset the country’s drug treatment programme.