Schakowsky, DeLauro Lead Call for President Biden to Raise Human Rights Concerns with President of the Philippines
WASHINGTON – In advance of President Biden’s meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led 13 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to President Biden calling on him to raise concerns over the worsening human rights crisis in the Philippines.
“We have heard from and represent organizations and individuals working to improve the Philippines for all its citizens and we share their concerns that human, labor, environment, and indigenous rights communities continue to be targeted and silenced,” wrote the lawmakers.
There were very well documented human rights violations under the previous Duterte Administration in the Philippines, but recent reports from human rights groups show a “lack of redress” and “ongoing impunity” under the current administration. Karapatan Human Rights Alliance reports that from July to December 2022, there were 17 extrajudicial killings, 165 illegal arrests, and a total of 825 political prisoners, 73 of whom are elderly.
Furthermore, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) named the Philippines one of the top ten worst countries for workers. Filipino workers are often vulnerable to violent attacks and arrests. Alex Dolorosa, an organizer and paralegal with the BPO Industry Employee Network (BIEN) was found dead after years of surveillance and red-tagging of him and his organization.
“Tragedies like Alex’s are far too common for trade unionists, where the military and the government target unions, union leaders and workers attempting to organize with red-tagging, allowing for aggressive surveillance, mistreatment, torture, imprisonment, and even killings,” continued the lawmakers.
The lawmakers would like to see President Marcos “address the historic and current injustices” by :
- Resolving and providing appropriate compensation for the many outstanding cases of martial law victims.
- Ensuring the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of human rights violations.
- Taking steps to guarantee a judicial system that is capable of investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to justice members of the police and military who have committed human rights abuses.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Susan Wild (PA-07), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (PA-01), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13).
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