Human rights and trade
Trade negotiations may be likened to back and forth negotiations between a long married couple trying to fix their issues after getting stuck in a stalemate of sorts......»»
BOC creates body to solve trade woes
The Bureau of Customs has established an advisory council that aims to address trade bottlenecks and enhance trade facilitation among importers and business groups amid a changing global environment......»»
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......»»
Trade deficit narrows to $4 billion in December
The country’s trade deficit narrowed in December as both exports and imports declined, bringing the full-year 2023 trade gap to $52.42 billion, down from the previous year’s shortfall of $57.65 billion, the Philippine Statistics Authority said......»»
Philippines eyes $3.82 million sales from German trade fair
The Philippines is targeting to generate $3.82 million in sales from its participation in an international consumer goods trade fair in Germany, according to the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry......»»
EDITORIAL - Foreign trade barriers
Instead of declaring war on pollster Pulse Asia over its latest survey showing 88 percent of Filipinos opposing Charter change, congressmen can read the report of the office of the US Trade Representative, which details foreign trade barriers in 59 markets including the Philippines......»»
NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand's ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. "I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union of our ratification of the New Zealand European Union Free Trade Agreement (NZ-EUFTA)......»»
French Farmers Protest Unfair Competition in EU Free-Trade Agreements
French Farmers Protest Against Unfair Trade Agreements Imposed by EU French farming unions have taken to the streets to protest against free-trade agreements imposed by.....»»
Philippines total external trade drops by 5.4 pct in November
MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' total external trade in goods declined by 5.4 percent in November 2023 to 16.95 billion U.S. dollars from 17.92 billion dollars in November 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Wednesday. Of the total external trade in November 2023, 63.8 percent were imported goods, while the remaining were exported goods, the PSA said. The PSA said the balance.....»»
Rwanda: End Abuses Against Journalists
(Nairobi) - Rwandan authorities should release journalist Dieudonne Niyonsenga, also known as Cyuma Hassan, and urgently investigate serious torture allegations he has made and ensure his rights to freedom of expression, a fair trial and to freedom from torture and ill treatment are respected, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities' failure to transparently accoun.....»»
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......»»
Chadian Commission President Removed at Critical Moment
Last week, a prominent rights defender, Mahamat Nour Ahmat Ibedou, was removed from his post as president of the National Human Rights Commission. His departure is a blow for a country facing presidential elections.On October 20, 2022, security forces in Chad fired live ammunition at protesters, killing and injuring scores. Hundreds of men and boys were arrested, and many were taken to Koro Toro, a high.....»»
Lack of justice 6 months into labor leader s killing scored
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights continues to demand justice for veteran labor organizer Jude Fernandez, who was killed exactly six months ago in Binangonan, Rizal......»»
Labor advocates sound alarm on Charter change
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) expressed its opposition to moves by the Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution, fearing that it could lead to the removal of provisions protecting laborers in favor of attracting investors......»»
Climate change to affect 26M Filipino students — child rights group
“Governments must protect the rights of every child, especially boys and girls living in countries that have contributed least to this problem but are enduring the most dangerous floods, storms, and heat." The post Climate change to affect 26M Filipino students — child rights group appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Clean water finally
In July 2010 through a resolution, the United Nations General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to the realization of all human rights......»»
Aglipayan Church stands with the indigenous peoples
“It is crucial to recognize the challenges faced by indigenous peoples. These include land rights issues, displacements from their ancestral domains due to mining activities, and militarization leading to armed conflicts and human rights violations,” the project rationale said. The post Aglipayan Church stands with the indigenous peoples appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Rights groups score gov t for ‘whitewashing’ abuses ahead of UN rapporteur visit
Karapatan said on Sunday that even as the government has publicly welcomed the visit of the UN rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, it has also “disregarded, shrugged off, and rejected” previous findings by UN special rapporteurs on the country’s human rights situation......»»
EU: Falling Short of Protecting Those Most in Need
(Brussels, January 11, 2023) - The European Union and its member states renewed their commitments to uphold and protect rights in 2023, but they have persistently failed to translate these commitments into practice, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2024......»»
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......»»
2 activists kidnapped in Pangasinan
The Commission on Human Rights has called for a search for two environmental rights defenders and church workers who were reportedly kidnapped in Pangasinan last weekend......»»