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. .....»»
PRO-7: Rules on anti-terror law to boost efforts against terrorism in CV
CEBU CITY, Philippines — An official of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said that they were preparing to make the necessary adjustments in line with the newly-implemented rules on anti-terrorism cases. On January 15, 2024, the “Rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 and Related Laws” officially took effect. This.....»»
NSC rejects NTF-ELCAC abolition
The National Security Council yesterday rejected calls for the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, saying the calls are unfounded......»»
Calls for release of 24-year-old Filipino journalist, rights advocates heightened
Calls for release of 24-year-old Filipino journalist, rights advocates heightened.....»»
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.....»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Honoring a Philippine Human Rights Icon - Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Human rights lawyer and former senator Rene Saguisag holds a copy of a book about the martial law period in the Philippines while describing his ordeal in detention, Manila, September 26, 2018. 2018 Bullit Marquez-AP Photo The Philippines on April 23 lost a human rights stalwart. Rene Saguisag, a human rights lawyer and former senator, defended victims of abuses during the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorsh.....»»
Honoring a Philippine Human Rights Icon
The Philippines on April 23 lost a human rights stalwart. Rene Saguisag, a human rights lawyer and former senator, defended victims of abuses during the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and was an ardent human rights advocate in the ensuing years. He died of undisclosed causes at the age of 84.Saguisag, along with Jose Diokno, Lore.....»»
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......»»
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.....»»
Asia: Regional Leadership Needed on Human Rights
(Bangkok) - Increasing repression by governments in Asia is negatively affecting human rights locally and internationally, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its World Report 2024.In 2023, the Chinese government continued to commit.....»»
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.....»»
Peru: Congress Runs Roughshod Over Rule of Law
(Washington, DC) - The decision by Peru's Congress on March 7, 2024, to arbitrarily remove two members of the National Board of Justice severely undermines judicial independence, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The Organization of American States (OAS) should convene a meeting of its Permanent Council to address ongoing attacks on judicial independence in Peru......»»
Proposed US Law Would Protect Human Rights Defenders
Proposed US Law Would Protect Human Rights Defenders.....»»
Makabayan bloc slams terror law charges vs 34 activists
The Makabayan bloc condemned the military's decision to file terrorism charges against Bayan Muna Partylist Secretary General Nathanael Santiago and 33 other activists and human rights workers in Nueva Ecija......»»
Iraq passes bill sentencing same-sex acts to 10-15 years’ jail
Iraq’s parliament passed a bill on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relations, which will receive a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, in a move rights groups condemned as an “attack on human rights.” Transgender people will be sentenced to three years’ jail under the amendments to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, which were adopted during.....»»
Red-tagger Badoy guilty of indirect contempt over red tagging of Manila judge
The Supreme Court found NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy guilty of indirect contempt over her multiple pronouncements against a Manila Regional Trial Court judge over a decision which denied the proscription petition of the Department of Justice against the CPP-NPA......»»
Government sees total victory vs Reds, end of NTF-ELCAC
The government expects to achieve “total victory” over communist rebels this year, which will mean the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict will no longer be needed, the assistant director general of the National Security Council said yesterday......»»
NTF-ELCAC should have ended with Duterte — ex-senator
Former senator and justice secretary Leila de Lima said that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict should have been disbanded since former President Rodrigo Duterte stepped out of office......»»
Envi activists dismay over charges of grave oral defamation
“Prosecutor Arnold Magpantay dismissed that we were abducted by the military, that we were taken to safehouses, and was subjected to psychological torture to force us to ride the story coined by the agents of the NTF-ELCAC." The post Envi activists dismay over charges of grave oral defamation appeared first on Bulatlat......»»