The Church People – Workers Solidarity (CWS) said the observance of Human Rights Day is more relevant today as Filipinos face relentless and increasing attacks on their fundamental rights by State forces.
In a statement signed by CWS co-convenor San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, the group cited how the Philippines, under the present administration has become a "dangerous country" especially for human rights defenders.
"Attacks against human rights advocates continue. Zara Alvarez, a CWS volunteer and a long-time human rights defender in Negros was killed on August 17, 2020. She was previously red-tagged as terrorist by State forces in 2018," CWS said.
Even the Commission on Human Rights, the group said, pointed out that human rights defenders live a “grim reality” in the Philippines as they face systemic and widespread attacks for their work.
CWS said in 2018, the United Nations also listed the Philippines as one of 38 countries where governments subject human rights defenders and activists to “an alarming and shameful level of harsh reprisals and intimidation.”
And with the recent “red-tagging” of church people and labor leaders along with the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, CWS is concerned that these will "intensify attacks and widespread repression against activists, lawyers, human rights and environmental defenders, indigenous peoples, workers, farmers, and peace advocates."
The group also lamented how President Duterte’s militarist approach to the coronavirus pandemic worsened the human rights situation in the country as thousands of ordinary Filipinos were arrested due to alleged quarantine violations.
CWS expressed hope that these times of darkness and rampant human rights violations will rouse many to defend the fundamental rights of those who are most vulnerable.
"May we continue to defend the defenseless and be the voice of the voiceless," said the group.
"May we continue to show courage in the midst of persecution as we link arms with the broad masses in building a more just and humane society," CWS added.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10, to commemorate the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The UDHR sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all are entitled without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.