22-1-2024 (MANILA) As the United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan begins her visit to the Philippines, human rights defenders are urging the government to address longstanding concerns, especially regarding red-tagging and violations of free speech. Groups such as Karapatan, Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticize the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for using Khan’s visit to create a facade of cooperation while dismissing past recommendations from UN rapporteurs.
Karapatan and Katribu highlight the government’s insincerity in welcoming Khan while disregarding previous findings by UN rapporteurs on human rights abuses. The Marcos Jr. government is accused of repression and violating fundamental freedoms, treating international engagements as opportunities to improve its image.
Beverly Longid of Katribu calls for genuine cooperation by implementing recommendations, including the urgent repeal of the Anti-Terror Act of 2020. ACT emphasizes that Khan’s visit is a chance to review violations of freedom of opinion and expression, rejecting attempts by the government to whitewash such cases.
Khan’s visit aims to assess the state of free speech and press freedom in the Philippines. In 2022, she called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to halt violence and harassment against journalists, condemning the crackdown on press freedom in the country.
