GWP Calls for Protection of Women Human Rights Defenders

“The justness of the Filipino women’s active defense and promotion of human rights in the country is the strongest power that protects them against the continuing state vilifications and harassments. Their activism is vital as they effectively advance the rights of all people by challenging inequality and repression as they call for ever-increasing efforts towards the building of peace based on justice,” said GWP Rep. Emmi De Jesus as women gather today to celebrate the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders.

“It is also with the resolve to pursue protection for our human rights defenders that we co-authored a House bill which mandates the observance of November 29 of each year as National Consciousness Day for the Protection of the Rights of Women Human Rights Defenders,” added De Jesus.

According to the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (commonly known as the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders), a human rights defender is anyone working for the promotion and protection of human rights. This broad definition encompasses professional as well as non-professional human rights workers, volunteers, journalists, lawyers and anyone else carrying out, even on an occasional basis, a human rights activity.

“Gabriela Women’s Party stands in solidarity with all women human rights defenders and all women victims of human rights violations. We will continue fighting for the day when violence will no longer be tolerated. As our collective voices gather volume, we seek justice for all victims of the continuing state violence under the Aquino adminitration’s Oplan Bayanihan,” ended De Jesus.