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VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor
For Medy De Jesus, 74, a martial law survivor and member of human rights group Hustisya, the impending charter change could bring back another dictatorship and more human rights violations. The post Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
UK Government Severely Eroded Human Rights in 2023
(London, January 11, 2024) - The United Kingdom government's policies and practices both severely eroded domestic human rights protections and undermined its efforts to promote human rights globally in 2023, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2024."T.....»»
Brazil: Mixed Rights Record for Lula s First Year
(Sao Paulo) - The administration led by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made important progress in the protection of the Amazon, women's rights, and other rights during 2023, but has failed to tackle the chronic problem of police abuse or defend human rights consistently abroad, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its&.....»»
Japan Again Calls Out Chinese Government s Rights Abuses
Last week, during China's fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Japan expressed "concern about the human rights situation in China" and recommended that Beijing "protect the rights of the minorities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs ... guarantee the fundamental rights and freedom under the Hong Kong basic la.....»»
Pakistan: New Government Should Protect Rights
(New York) - Pakistan's newly elected prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, should make human rights a key focus of his government, Human Rights Watch said in a letter today to the prime minister. The new Pakistani government should adopt an agenda that actively promotes and protects human rights,.....»»
Rights group says PH gov’t does not listen to experts
“They are faking these all, as the Marcos Jr. [administration] has stepped up its policy of wanton repression against the people, violating rights and basic freedoms including our freedom of expression." The post Rights group says PH gov’t does not listen to experts appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
6 UN experts sound alarm over Philippine government’s ‘unchecked’ anti-terror powers
The UN experts counted at least 24 alleged victims of rights violations from the government’s counter-terrorism efforts from 2019 to 2023 — which covers the second half of the Duterte administration and Marcos’ first year in office......»»
Significance of the country visit of UN SR for free expression and opinion to the PH
Human rights group emphasized the importance UN Special Rapporteur's visit, adding that this is the chance to show the international community that all is not well in the Philippines, and how current government policies, laws and programs have led to killings and various forms of human rights violations. The post Significance of the country visit of UN SR for free expression and opinion to the PH appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
UN experts probe $3B cyberattacks
UN experts probe $3B cyberattacks.....»»
Arts and rights community in unison: Free Jade Castro
“How many more artists will continue to be vulnerable to such attacks? We denounce how these violations of our rights persist under the current administration and join our colleagues in the call to release Castro immediately." The post Arts and rights community in unison: Free Jade Castro appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
US: Human Rights Guide to 2024 Elections
(Washington, February 7, 2024) - Human Rights Watch on February 7, 2024, released "A Human Rights Guide to the 2024 US Elections: Vital Recommendations for Voters, Candidates, and Supporters of Democracy."This 15-page guide, aimed at the US congressional and presidential elections in 2024, addresses a wide range of domestic an.....»»
Probe free speech violations, UN rapporteur urged
Various groups yesterday urged United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan to investigate violations on Filipinos’ rights to free speech and expression during her upcoming visit next week......»»
OSG calls on the court anew to reverse the acquittal of 10 human rights defenders
"Such frivolous yet retaliatory charges pursued by government counsels also show how public funds are being wastefully utilized to go after those who defend and uphold human rights.” The post OSG calls on the court anew to reverse the acquittal of 10 human rights defenders appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
After being ‘unbothered,’ Tokhang chief Dela Rosa admits fear of going to jail
Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief, said that he is afraid of being imprisoned following rumors that the International Criminal Court is currently conducting a probe into the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines......»»
Spyware Targets Human Rights Watch Staff in Jordan
(Amman) - Two Human Rights Watch staff members based in Jordan have been repeatedly targeted with advanced surveillance spyware, Human Rights Watch said today. The targeting, which violates their right to privacy, began in October 2022 and succeeded briefly in infecting one of their mobile phones.The same spyware was also used to target the devices of at least 33 Jordanian and Jordan-based journalists, act.....»»
Rights groups call for a safer environment for children
By DOMINIC GUTOMAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – Half a million Filipino children were trafficked for the production of new child sexual exploitation material in 2022, according to rights groups. Over the past 15 years, online child sexual abuse material surged by 15,000 percent, according to non-profit organization Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children. Women’s group Gabriela attributed… The post Rights groups call for a safer environment for children appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Human rights advocates seek UN support for abolition of NTF-ELCAC, anti-terror law
In a press release, the Philippine Universal Periodic Watch Review said that the delegation will be attending a session to testify on the “continuing human rights violations” under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. .....»»
Repression Increased in Asia in 2023, Human Rights Watch Says
Governments across Asia grew more repressive last year, emboldened by Western countries eager to curry favor with allies that might help check China's rise and taking increasingly brazen steps to silence their critics abroad, Human Rights Watch says in a new report.In its World Report 2024, launched Thursday morning in New York, the advocacy group takes stock of the human rights situation in more than 100 countr.....»»
Repression Increased in Asia in 2023, Human Rights Watch Says
Governments across Asia grew more repressive last year, emboldened by Western countries eager to curry favor with allies that might help check China's rise and taking increasingly brazen steps to silence their critics abroad, Human Rights Watch says in a new report.In its World Report 2024, launched Thursday morning in New York, the advocacy group takes stock of the human rights situation in more than 100 countr.....»»