Karapatan, a human rights alliance in the Philippines, called on the House of Representatives to expedite the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act, a bill that seeks to protect human rights defenders in the country.
“Since 2007, we have tirelessly campaigned and lobbied for the passage of this very important measure which not only recognizes the vital work of human rights defenders but also the dangers we face,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay in a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 6.
Palabay then stressed that with or without the passage of this measure, human rights defenders should not be targeted for their work. Apart from the red-tagging that they are facing, numerous rights defenders continue to have “one foot on the grave” for defending people’s basic rights and fundamental freedom, said Palabay.
“We will not back down in calling for the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act and in our work in defending people’s rights, exposing human rights violations, and demanding accountability from duty-bearers,” she furthered.