September 9, 2019
Joint written statement* submitted by Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, Lawyers for Lawyers, and International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL),non-governmental organizations in special consultative status, and Asian Legal Resource Centre, non-governmental organization in general consultative status.
The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL), and the Philippines National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), NGO(s) without consultative status, also share the views expressed in this statement.
Philippines: Extrajudicial killing of jurists as part of a pattern of widespread and systematic violations of human rights
1. Introduction
Since 30 June 2016, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (the Philippines) has engaged in a campaign of extrajudicial killing in violation of the Philippines’ international law obligations. Since President Rodrigo Duterte (President Duterte) took office on 30 June 2016, up to 27,000[1] persons have been extrajudicially killed with impunity, as part of a “war on drugs.” The Philippines’ official number is 5,526.[2] The victims include 45 lawyers, prosecutors and judges (jurists) assassinated between August 2016 and July 2019, and 134 human rights defenders (defenders).[3] This pattern of gross and systematic violations contravenes the Philippines’ obligation to prevent and remedy violations of the right to life. The widespread murders of jurists also cause violations of the rights to legal representation and fair trials.
In few cases are suspects in custody or charges pending against suspects. In the majority of cases there has been no effective investigation or minimal progress on investigations. In addition to 45 jurists murdered, eight lawyers have survived murderous attacks, and one has been abducted and disappeared. A court worker and two paralegals are also among the additional victims. The online Appendix to this report lists the jurists with dates of death and status of investigations.[4]
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Philippines: Extrajudicial killing of jurists as part of a pattern of widespread and systematic violations of human rights | Joint Written Statement to the 42nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G19/248/09/PDF/G1924809.pdf?OpenElement
Thousands of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines: “A pattern of gross and systematic violations of human rights,” say seven legal organisations to the UN | Press release
Colmenares: There’s proof that EJKs are state-sponsored
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/09/09/1950349/trillanes-denies-lawyer-jude-sabios-allegations-his-ties-bikoy
Prosecutor in bulletproof vehicle shakes off gunmen
DOJ rejects 3 OSG witnesses in sedition raps vs Robredo, 32 others
Ex-Daraga mayor tagged in Batocabe slay freed after posting bail
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/09/10/1950467/ex-daraga-mayor-batocabe-murder-released-jail
Oro church leaders, journos, lawyers ready for march vs red-tagging
Filipino lawyers attacksed Sept 2019 (IAPL MONITORING COMMITTEE REPORT)
PHILIPPINES – 6 septembre 2019
Dix avocats abattus depuis le 1er janvier 2019 – 1 survivant
Le 6 septembre 2019, Datu Khadaffy Dilangalen Blao, 30 ans, a été tué par balles dans une mosquée de Barangay Olandang.
Le 5 septembre 2019, Irineo Cabugoy, 73 ans, a été abattu alors qu’il déjeunait avec sa famille dans un McDonald’s à Antipolo, dans l’État de Rizal.
Le 2 septembre 2019 : Inocencio dela Cerna a été touché par des tirs de deux hommes armés en tandem devant l’immeuble Quimonda, à Cebu.
Il a survécu parce qu’il a pu conduire son véhicule jusqu’à un poste de police situé à proximité. Il avait récemment défendu Niño Rey Boniel, membre du conseil d’administration de la province de Bohol, dans l’affaire d’enlèvement et de détention illégale de sa femme, ancien maire de la ville de Bien Unido.
Auparavant, 7 avocats avaient été assassinés aux Philippines au cours de l’année :
En 2018, 16 avocats ont été victimes d’attaques de tueurs à gages, aux Philippines. 4 ont miraculeusement survécu aux balles, 12 sont morts. Voir : Ces avocats en danger dans le monde, Edition 2019, pp. 52 à 57).
( Photos : Anthony Trinidad et Inocencio dela Cerna).
(L’Observatoire des Avocats 08/09/19)