European Parliament votes resolution on human rights in the Philippines
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in the Philippines by a large majority on 17 February. It strongly condemns thousands of extrajudicial killings, human rights violations and the intimidation of activists and journalists. The European Parliament warned of possible trade sanctions if the resolution was not heeded.
March 11 2022
2 minutes
The resolution states, among other things, that the Philippine government must end the geweld and the human rights violations against suspected drug offenders and against groups accused of being supporters of the communist rebel army, the NPA. These include human rights and environmental activists, political dissidents, journalists, trade unionists, priests and humanitarian aid workers.
Transparent and independent research requested
The European Parliament has also adopted a recommendation from the UN Human Rights Council and called on the Philippines to conduct an “impartial, transparent, independent and meaningful” investigation. All extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and human rights violations must be investigated. Human rights defenders and journalists who are wrongfully detained must be released. The right to freedom of expression must be respected and journalists must be allowed to do their work without hindrance.
It is already the fifth resolution of the European Parliament since the inauguration of President Duterte mid-2016. There was renewed call to end the persecution of Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa. Also the political intimidation against senator Leila De Lima, who has been detained since 2017, is targeted. The resolution directly refers to the controversial president and hopes that "free and fair elections will lead to a new, democratic government that upholds human rights, investigates past human rights violations and rejoins the International Criminal Court."
Filipino activists are happy, but with reservations
Several Filipino activists have regular contact with European Parliament members, one of whom is Ellecer 'Budit' Carlos, the coordinator of PAHRA, an organization where 11.11.11 works closely with: "We are of course pleased with this resolution, it shows that many parliamentarians are following the worrying situation in my country. But we now hope that the European Commission will take seriously the call to suspend preferential market access for Philippine goods. This mechanism, GSP+, is on condition that the Philippine government demonstrates good governance, including respecting 27 conventions on human rights and labour law. The European Parliament shares our view that this is not happening, so we must draw the conclusions from that."
We are of course pleased with this resolution. It shows that many members of parliament are following the worrying situation in my country. We now hope that the European Commission will take the call seriously and suspend preferential market access for Philippine goods.
