We are all under attack

WE are all under attack. In response, #TogetherWeDefend.

We enjoin everyone to support this campaign by sharing materials and writing their own support statements. The #TogetherWeDefend campaign seeks to defy the demonization of human rights defenders by introducing the work and lives of the people and courageous rights workers behind human rights, women’s and religious organizations. While the military pushes with its malicious and smear campaigns, we respond with positive visibility, highlighting the struggles of colorful personalities—from filmmakers, nuns, martial law veterans, LGBTQI activists and feminists— that have stood strong against political persecution.

As we continue to confront violations on all fronts, piled on top of the shrinking democratic space and passage of draconian laws, Karapatan is launching its #TogetherWeDefend campaign. In the following days, we will be releasing profiles of officers under Karapatan, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), and Gabriela who are being subjected to judicial harassment, with the malicious, absurd and trumped up perjury case filed by Philippine National Security Adviser (NSA) retired general Hermogenes Esperon Jr. The trumped up perjury charge is a clear form of reprisal on the human rights defenders’ efforts to hold government officials, including President Rodrigo Duterte, accountable for the numerous threats, harassment, and other forms of attacks against them through the organizations’ petition for the writs of amparo and habeas data filed at the Supreme Court.

All three organizations have not minced words in criticizing the Duterte government and exposing violations brought about by its anti-people policies. It has openly called for an independent and thorough investigation on the human rights violations in line with Duterte government’s sham drug war and counterinsurgency program. This has rendered Karapatan, Gabriela, and RMP as open targets by the Duterte government, using judicial harassment and other forms of political persecution to silence dissent.

Throughout the years, the three organizations, including its workers on the ground, have remained transparent, with the concrete efforts of their work—including the establishment of schools, the passage of legislation, campaigns and provision of aid and support for victims of rights violations—manifested in the campaigns, capacity building and establishment of strong and united communities. – Karapatan Alliance Philippines