THE OFFICIAL report from the United Nations noted red-tagging, “extreme violence,” and other forms of attacks that Filipino women human rights defenders continue to face. It also noted that “there has not been more progress made to protect women human rights defenders in such contexts or greater efforts to support the conditions in which they can safely do their work.”
GABRIELA, as one of the organizations who submitted a report to Lawlor’s office, makes clear that the Philippine government, under the Marcos-Duterte administration, maintains a policy of repression. Through Executive Order No. 70 and the Anti-Terrorism Law, state terrorism prevails with impunity. Filipino women and people exercising their civil and political rights amid dire socio-economic crises and government neglect have made them targets of state repression.
Filipino women demand accountability from the Philippine government: for the disappearance of Elizabeth “Loi” Magbanua, Elgene Mungcal, Cha Pampoza, and many other desaparecidos; for the abduction and torture of Dyan Gumanao, Jonila Castro, and Jhed Tamano, among others; for the continuing imprisonment of political prisoners, at least 157 of them women; 16 women human rights defenders (WHRDs) slapped with charges related to the Anti-Terrorism Law; the killing of hundreds of HRDs, including 66 WHRDs in the last six years; and for all other vicious rights violations committed by state forces against Filipino activists and dissenters.
We call on states to ensure protection for WHRDs as key towards effective peace-building. As the Marcos Jr. government is yet to release and implement a new National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS) as mandated under the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, GABRIELA pressed for the inclusion of concrete provisions that will (1) ensure respect for human rights, (2) prevent further rights violations from state forces in the name of “peace,” and (3) be responsive to the demands for justice and accountability as vital to genuine and lasting peace. – GABRIELA <gabriela.publicinfo@gmail.com>
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GABRIELA is a grassroots-based alliance of more than 200 organizations, institutions, desks and programs based in communities, workplaces and schools throughout all regions and major provinces and cities in the Philippines. It is different and distinct from Gabriela Women’s Party, a party-list organization that serves as the voice of women in Congress. The two organizations have their own set of Constitution and By-Laws, organizational structure, officers, staff and headquarters.
