De Lima urges passage of human rights bills in 20th Congress

Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Representative Leila de Lima emphasized the need to urgently pass proposed laws that would protect human rights advocates and address the issue of red-tagging.

In her statement, De Lima pointed out that from 2023 to 2024, the Philippines ranked highest in Asia for reported cases of alleged abductions involving human rights defenders."Nakakabahala ang mga datos na ito na nagpapakita ng patuloy na panggigipit sa mga human rights defenders – those who defend the helpless and voiceless and speak truth to power, without fear or favor," De Lima said.

De Lima is pushing for two key measures: House Bill No. 1431, or the "Human Rights Defenders Protection Act," which aims to safeguard rights defenders from threats and violence, and House Bill No. 1841, or the "Anti-Red Tagging Act," which seeks to define and penalize red-tagging that targets activists and critics of the government.

The former Senator further noted that the report from the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development recorded 18 vilification incidents in the Philippines during the two-year period, mostly fueled by the ongoing practice of red-tagging.

De Lima's call underscores the urgent need to protect human rights defenders and curb red-tagging. She urges swift passage of key bills to ensure their safety and uphold fundamental freedoms.