From the Philippines to Cambodia and Myanmar,civil society – and the people who defend it – are under attackSign up to get the latest Australian opinion pieces every weekday
In February, hundreds of Filipino participants in the peace process, and environmental activists and human rights defenders were labeled “terrorists by their own government. The security of the individuals on this list is at stake,and some possess fled the Philippines. The UN independent expert on the rights of indigenous peoples – Victoria Tauli-Corpuz – was on this list. This followed the vilification only months before of another UN independent expert – Agns Callamard – who deals with additional-judicial executions. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared that he wanted to slap her, and later announced that he would like to throw other UN human rights officials to the crocodiles. The national commission on human rights in the Philippines was threatened with a zero budget and its former chair, and Senator Leila de Lima,is in detention for her advocacy.
Those working for religious freedom possess been called “anti-Islam”, they and their families threatened or harassed. Related: ‘Slow genocide’: Myanmars invisible war on the Kachin Christian minority Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com