Amnesty Philippines

By forcibly intercepting and blocking the Madleen, Israel has once again ignored its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip. The crew were unarmed activists and human rights defenders on a humanitarian mission. They must be released immediately and unconditionally. They must also be protected from torture and other ill-treatment. As the occupying power Israel has an international obligation to ensure civilians in Gaza have sufficient and safe access to food, medicine, and other supplies indispensable to their survival. Instead, and as part of its calculated effort to inflict on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life designed to bring about their physical destruction, it has consistently and deliberately impeded the provision of impartial humanitarian assistance for civilians in desperate need. During its voyage over the past few days the Madleen’s mission emerged as a powerful symbol of solidarity with besieged, starved and suffering Palestinians amid persistent international inaction. However, this very mission is also an indictment of the international community’s failure to put an end to Israel’s inhumane blockade. Activists would not have needed to risk their lives had Israel’s allies translated their rhetoric into forceful action to allow aid into Gaza. States must act now or risk complicity in Israel’s grave violations of Palestinians’ rights.

Thank you for joining the live tweets of the press conference on @amnesty's State of the World Human Rights report and Human Rights Legislative Agenda for the 20th congress! ❗Full report here: amnesty.org/en/documents/p… ❗Legislative agenda here: amnesty.org.ph/wp-content/upl…

🔚The Q&A of the press conference has now concluded. But you can still tune into the concluding statements in our livestream on facebook: web.facebook.com/watch/live/?re…

❗Read Amnesty's full Human Rights Legislative Agenda for the 20th Congress here: amnesty.org.ph/wp-content/upl…

What are the 3 most important legislations that you want the Congress to address? Jepie Papa: Protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups (women, children, people with disabilities, etc.), protection of human rights defenders and journalists, and climate emergency.

Do you recognize that the PNP is prone to committing human rights violations? PNGen Protacio: When performing our duties, "we are prone" (e.g. arrest procedures) "Pero sana magtiwala kayo" that the institution does what they can to follow human rights.

Does the presence of PNP today mean you want to work w/ Human Rights NGOs? PBGen Protacio: "Ang sikreto sa pagunlad ng bansa ay ang pag-respeto sa karapatang pantao." When human rights is supported, children reach their full potential & grow up to contribute back to the country.

Comment on the enforced disappearance of Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus: PBGen Protacio: "I'm not at liberty to divulge details" of the ongoing communications regarding this case.

Amnesty reported that 871 people were killed in anti-drug police operations in 2024 (source: DAHAS). Any comments on this? PBGen Protacio: "Ngayon ko lang na-encounter ung ganitong number...Can you furnish me a copy? What is the source of their data?...Give me time to check."

PBGen Protacio also said that should the public witness PNP personnel doing this, they can report it to his office (Human Rights Affairs Office).

What is the PNP's stand on red-tagging? PBGen Protacio reiterated their earlier statement that red-tagging or similar acts is discouraged within its ranks. He echoes an internal advisory to all PNP personnel to refrain from accusing individuals and spreading disinformation.

Jepie Papa: "Putting numbers of arrest as a metric...if that is an indicator of success, people will aim for that. In the absence of clear protocols, it could easily be another war on the poor."

Judy Pasimio: "Sana ang focus ngayon ay to genuinely depart from Duterte's policy of criminalization and killing of drug users." PBGen Protacio: "...3-minute response, police visibility as a response to increase crime rate."

What are the PNP's thoughts on Harm Reduction? PBGen Protacio: RA9165 states that the mere possession of drugs is a criminal offense. "Sa pananaw ng international, psychological daw kaya kailangan siguro natin baguhin ung batas"

Amnesty on what is happening in Palestine: "Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza...the genocide is happening because some countries are also explicitly arming Israel in their genocide." #EndGazaGenocide

The press conference on the State of the World's Human Rights and the Human Rights Legislative Agenda is ongoing. Media outlets are now asking their questions to the members of the panel. Join the live stream on facebook: ➡️web.facebook.com/watch/live/?re…

"How do we ground the creation of a low-carbon society on the principles of human rights?...We need to look at the economic, social, and cultural rights; particularly the 'adequate standard of living.'" -Chuck Baclagon, 350.org

Chuck Baclagon, Regional Campaigner of 350.org is also part of the panel: "While the climate crisis impacts everyone, its impact is not equally distributed...Climate change is also a product of an unequal society."