MANILA, Philippines – Human rights advocates on Friday renewed calls to repeal two anti-terrorism laws which they said have long been used to silence critics who were only expressing legitimate political dissent.
“For years, the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act have served as legal weapons for unjust arrests, prolonged detention, bank account freezes and other forms of political repression, threatening the people’s fundamental rights and freedoms,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement.
According to Karapatan, at least 256 activists and even ordinary Filipinos have been charged under the so-called “terror laws” or were designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
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The group noted that 25 individuals remain imprisoned.FEATURED STORIES
