(ARTICLE 19/CMFR/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 and CMFR press release: Room for Improvement on Freedom of Expression in the Philippines ARTICLE 19 and the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility have made a submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on freedom of expression in the Philippines, to be considered by […]
(ARTICLE 19/CMFR/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 and CMFR press release:
Room for Improvement on Freedom of Expression in the Philippines
ARTICLE 19 and the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility have made a submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on freedom of expression in the Philippines, to be considered by the Committee as part of its regular country reporting process (1). The Philippines country report will be considered by the Human Rights Committee on Monday 20 October 2003.
The submission notes that there is still cause for concern regarding freedom of expression in the Philippines. Three issues are of particular importance:
* The anti-terrorism legislation currently being debated in the Congress would, if adopted, pose a serious threat to freedom of expression.
* Philippine journalists continue to be murdered at a rate second only to Colombia in retaliation for their pursuit of their profession, particularly in the provinces.
* Despite Constitutional guarantees, there is still no binding freedom of information law.
1. The submission is available on ARTICLE 19’s website at: http://www.article19.org/docimages/1687.doc
