UN must launch human rights review now, says USPG
Since 2016, there have been 293 killings, 210 cases of torture and the displacement of 454,696 individuals by the violent campaign carried out by the Duterte regime in the Philippines. USPG, the Anglican mission agency, along with its partner the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, sees the election of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the new president of the Philippines as a moment to challenge the oppression and persecution of indigenous communities, human rights defenders, and government critics. USPG demands the United Nations launch an independent review into the situation.
A new report by USPG, Risking Life for People and Planet, outlines the sacrifices made by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente as they stand with indigenous groups against government-backed oppression, and makes policy recommendations for the safeguarding of human rights in the country. You can read the report below.
In the report, Obispo Maximo Rhee Timbang, the leader of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Church asks ‘When does our commitment to the gospel and passion for justice become a crime? Our bishops and leaders are labelled as working against the government. But we are just doing the work of the church.’
The Rev’d Dr Duncan Dormor, USPG’s General Secretary adds, ‘Understanding and taking action against the human rights abuses perpetrated in the Philippines should be an urgent priority for the international community. In the wake of Marcos Jr.’s election to the presidency, now is a vital time to hold an independent review into the actions of the Duterte government and its predecessors. This is absolutely necessary if the situation in the Philippines is to change.’