MANILA, Philippines – Isusulong ni Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima ang ilang panukalang batas na magbibigay proteksiyon sa human rights defenders at wakasan ang red-tagging.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni De Lima na nakapagtala ang Pilipinas ng pinakamataas na numbero ng pagdukot sa human rights defender sa Asya mula 2023-2024.
Idinagdag pa niya na nangunguna ang Pilipinas sa 23 bansa sa Asian na may 15 documented cases ng abduction, ayon sa ulat ng Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development.
“Nakakabahala ang mga datos na ito na nagpapakita ng patuloy na panggigipit sa mga human rights defenders—those who defend the helpless and voiceless and speak truth to power, without fear or favor,” ani De Lima.
“They are just protecting our people, yet they continue to be under serious threat and their work has become extremely dangerous,” giit ng mambabatas.
Aniya, binanggit din ng Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development report, na nagkaroon ng Pilipinas ng 18 kaso ng vilification sa nakalipas na two-year review period, na sanghi ng “largely driven by the entrenched practice of red-tagging.”
Pangunahing suspek sa 18 kaso ay “perpetrated by state actors or are suspected to have been”, ayon sa report.
“Despite widespread condemnation from both domestic and international human rights organizations, this practice has regrettably continued unabated,” dagdag ng ulat.
Ilan sa priority bills ni De Lima ang House Bill No. 1431 o ang “Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Protection Act,” na naglalayong protektahan ang lahat ng rights of human rights defenders ” upang magawa nila ang kanilang tungkulin nang walang takot na guguluhinat papatayin.
“HB 1431 will “enable a dynamic community of free and protected human rights workers, working with a government that ensures accountability for violations of their rights and freedoms,” giit ng dating senador.
Inihain din ni De Lima ang HB No. 1841 o ang “Anti-Red Tagging Act,” na naglalayong tukuyin ang pagkahulugan at gawing krimen ang red-tagging na nagdudulot ng panganib sa trabaho at papel ng human rights defenders at political dissenters.
The Supreme Court last year declared that red-tagging, or linking an individual to the communist movement, constitutes “threats to a person’s right to life, liberty, or security,” ani De Lima.
Dagdag ni De Lima: “Clearly, the state of human rights in the Philippines was made worse by the irresponsible pronouncements of the previous administration encouraging killings and the culture of impunity,” aniya. Ernie Reyes
