PR for the Celebration of International Human Rights Day

Communities are not Targets: Defend the People

QUEZON CITY – Alyansa Tigil Mina joins various human rights and advocacy groups in marching to celebrate the International Human Rights Day. They are voicing out their concern on the alarming threats against human rights defenders, caused by the politics of fear perpetuated by the current administration.

Global Witness, an international human rights NGO, identified the Philippines as the most dangerous country for environmental and human rights defenders. Human rights defenders have been attacked and in some cases, killed by unknown men allegedly part of illegal logging, destructive mining, and corrupt agribusiness operations.

"Mga biktima kami ng mapanirang pagmimina. Kami ay nag hahangad lang ng magandang kinabukasan para sa aming pamilya tapos gagawin pa kaming target. Ginagawa lang nilang mas mapanganib ang buhay namin," argued Malou Verano, Council of Leader, Alyansa Tigil Mina

We are already the victims of destructive mining practices. We only aspire for a better future for our family, but we have become targets. They have endangered our lives.

The institutionalization of the whole-of-nation approach through Executive Order No. 70, s. 2018 has only increased the risk amongst anyone who would oppose the continued aggressive development practices. This policy enables individuals and groups from destructive mining operations to act violently against those who would oppose these harmful practices.

"Instead of targetting communities that have already been victimized, we call on the government to stop endangering environmental defenders and start holding these companies accountable for the destruction they have caused our environment," stated Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator, Alyansa Tigil Mina.

Alyansa Tigil Mina continues to uphold and defend the rights of environmentalists and activists that continue to protect the environment.

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