Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think that whether there's a public health emergency or not, there should be no lockdown on human rights, and we should normalize putting rights at the front and centre of governance and of our society. At the same time, we enjoin the Canadian government to speak out with us an

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The Philippines' framework and approach to counterterrorism, in our view, is not to counter terror. I think it is driving and enhancing state terror, and it is framed in a way that quells political dissent or any of its perceived enemies. At this point, where even universities, j

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Our case is emblematic of this frustration, or should I say deliberate impunity that we face. After six of our colleagues were killed, we received so much vilification online from the government. We filed for legal protection, the petition for the Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data a

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  My experience is one that I would not wish to happen to anyone, not to any human rights defender. It's about receiving threats day in and day out. It is about how we have sleepless nights and days knowing about the killings, arrests and raids against the good people who we work w

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Well, to be frank with you, there has been no substantial engagement among civil society of the Canadian government here in Manila. I'm sure they have engaged with other actors as well, but as for civil society and those who are at risk, I believe that they can do more, especiall

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think the range of sanctions can be varied, but at the same time, of course, we have a list of names. We have a long list—it's getting longer by the day—of people who are violating, persons in authority—to be frank with you, starting with our president who has committed, incite

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I would just add that we are looking at the role of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, the chair of which is President Duterte. The vice-chairperson and national security advisers fight cases against us. General Antonio Parlade and Undersecretary Lorra

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  MP Chiu, I think that the war on drugs and the war on so-called counterterrorism and the war on human rights defenders are all wars on political dissent. It has created a climate of fear, a climate of impunity. It affects how people would participate in the electoral process. T

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I myself am a member of the LGBTQ community. I was not able to join that rally last year, but there was this pride march, and most of those who joined were arrested for expressing their opposition, on account that there are many LGBTQ leaders of movements here who are being silen

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think Canada was among those that supported a resolution on the Philippines to look into its human rights record. It's currently monitoring ways on how it is complying with its commitments. Maria is correct. I think that's the reason why we are still alive, so to speak. We are

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you for having me today, as it becomes even more dangerous every day for human rights defenders, with an epidemic of rights violations in the Philippines. Our colleague, Zara Alvarez, is among the 15 human rights workers of Karapatan who were killed in the last five years