Tags: United Nations

SC urged to release sick, elderly political prisoners amid COVID-19

“(We) pray that they be released on humanitarian considerations through bail, recognizance or other non-custodial measures. The continued incarceration of the sick and elderly would be a virtual death sentence.” By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Relatives of political prisoners filed a petition with the Supreme Court today, April 8, seeking for the…

Rights groups push for release of sick, elderly political detainees

“Extreme congestion plus the lack of adequate nutrition, medical facilities, running water and even soap provide a perfect incubator for an epidemic in the entire four-storey building and prison compound,” Kapatid said. By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Human rights alliance Karapatan appealed for the mass decongestion of prisons in the Philippines following…

UN reminds States to respect human rights amid COVID-19 measures

“…[w]e urgently remind States that any emergency responses to the coronavirus must be proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory.” By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – United Nations experts reminded States currently imposing measures to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to respect human rights at all times. They emphasized that such measures should…

UN special rapporteurs stress chilling effect of red tagging

“We wish to reiterate that when high-level officials engage in speeches which disparages the work of human rights defenders, they undermine the value of their vital work, denigrate them in the eyes of the public and may put them at risk of threats, violence or other forms of harassment.” By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com…

Anti-terrorism campaigns worldwide lack human rights grounding – UN expert

UN Special Rapporteur on the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms Fionnuala Ní Aoláin said in her report that most policies countering terrorism worldwide directly contributes to human rights violations. By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Any policy to counter violent extremism must comply with international human rights law. A…

UN human rights body presses Phl gov’t on EJKs

In the past three years, close to 40 nations have been signing a resolution, initiated by Iceland, expressing concern over the rising number of killings related to President Duterte’s “war on drugs.” Initially they urged the Philippine government to stop the killings and undertake an impartial investigation on these cases. Subsequently they called on the…