Liberals, Human Rights Defenders Call for Release of Detained Philippine Senator De Lima

More than 60 prominent politicians and human rights activists across the world, including incumbent members of parliament and former prime ministers, signed a statement urging the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte “to release Senator Leila De Lima and drop the fictitious allegations made against her.” The release of the statement coincided with the awarding of the 2018 Liberal International (LI) Prize for Freedom to the senator in a ceremony held in Quezon City, Philippines last July 28, 2018.

“I am extremely and unconditionally blessed, so much so that there is no room in my heart for regrets and second thoughts; no room for could-haves, would-haves, or should-haves. I am where I am because I did the right thing.” These were the words of Senator de Lima, as read by her brother, Mr. Vicente De Lima, as she received the award in absentia. Senator De Lima is only the second Filipino to be bestowed the prestigious award; the first one being the late President Corazon Aquino, who was recognized in 1987.

The Prize for Freedom is awarded annually by LI to honor an individual who has sacrificed significantly for the advancement of human rights and political freedoms.

The ceremony honoring Senator de Lima was the first time in over a decade that the awarding was held outside of Europe. Around 200 guests joined the event, including key officials of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), and LI.

“We call ourselves defenders of human rights, and we align ourselves with those who are the same”, said Philippine Vice President and LP Chairperson Leni Robredo in her inspirational message. “For Senator Leila, that fight has also been clear as day, that even in detention, she has shaken ground and inspired fellow advocates of the law, here and abroad.”

The rule of law was also the subject of CALD Secretary General Kiat Sittheeamorn’s message of solidary. Emphasizing the importance of due process in any campaign against drugs, he said: “We are not trying to stop the government from fighting drugs. We are fighting for the innocent people.” He related that in Thailand’s own drug war more than a decade ago, one-third of the almost 3000 killed were later proven to be innocent.

Prior to the awarding, the international delegation met with the families of the victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs), who also claimed that their murdered loved ones were innocent. These mothers and widows of the victims, who came with their now orphaned grandchildren or children, related the brazen circumstances surrounding the death of their loved ones, many of them still reeling from the pain and anguish brought about by their family members’ untimely demise. In his message, LI President Juli Minoves noted: “We see numbers, but we don’t see those who were left behind… For our next message to the UN, we need to make sure we also reflect the human side of these killings, and not just the idea.”

LP President Senator Kiko Pangilinan, in his message, reaffirmed his conviction that the Filipino people would soon awaken to the dire state of human rights in the country, particularly in relation to the war on drugs. He said: “… it will be the people, inspired, organized, and mobilized down to the grassroots, who will resist the prevailing darkness brought upon thel country. It will be the people who will undo the state of criminal violence and impunity that now covers our land. It will be the people who will raise awareness, who will save all of us, by choosing truth over lies, love over hate, sovereignty over subservience, freedom over tyranny, and the light over the prevailing darkness.”