CWA, Filipino-American, and Human Rights Groups Applaud Newly-Introduced Philippine Human Rights Act

As Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte escalates his campaign to punish and execute trade union activists, CWA, The Malaya Movement, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), and Kabataan Alliance united to urge Congress to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act (H.R. 8313).

"Rodrigo Duterte's brutal regime is using the pretext of a so-called 'Anti-Terrorism Law' to ramp up efforts targeting labor organizers, workers, and political opponents," said Rep. Susan Wild (D-Penn.), the lead sponsor of the legislation, on the House floor. "This law allows suspects to be detained by the police or military without charges for as long as 24 days and placed under surveillance for up to 90 days. Let us make clear that the United States will not participate in the repression. Let us stand with the people of the Philippines."

"We cannot stand idly by while Duterte kills labor activists one by one," said CWA's Senior Director for Government Affairs and Policy Shane Larson. "We must condemn it, and do every single thing within our power to stop it. And that starts with mobilizing to enact legislation like the Philippine Human Rights Act. CWA is committed to battling against the sorts of egregious labor and human rights abuses that are the reality facing the Filipino people under the Duterte regime and we are proud to be in this fight with all of you."

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