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Now known as Bloody Sunday, it is the latest in the ongoing state-sponsored violence and deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines.
Ottawa (22 March 2021) — 65 organizations and prominent individuals have sent a joint letter calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to publicly condemn the state-sponsored terror perpetrated by the Duterte government in the Philippines.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) joins the civil society organizations, unions, and Filipino associations and individuals in signing the letter with respect to the military operations during March 4-7, 2021, that resulted in the killing of 9 labour and Indigenous leaders and human rights activists. Now known as Bloody Sunday, it is the latest instance of ongoing state-sponsored violence and deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines.
Horrifying pattern of violence, rights violations
The Bloody Sunday killings are part of the implementation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called, and increasingly brutal, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism campaigns. International and local human rights groups, as well as United Nations experts, have warned that these campaigns no longer make any distinction between armed rebels and non-combatant activists, labour leaders, and human rights defenders.
Pointing to the Canadian government’s “Voices at Risk: Canada’s guidelines on supporting human rights defenders”, the letter urges Prime Minister Trudeau to follow through on Canada’s commitment to protect and promote human rights and end its policy of quiet diplomacy. It calls for the ending of Canada’s military trade, aid, and cooperation with the Philippine government.
Read the full letter on the ICHRP Canada website.
Take action
NUPGE and allies have been sounding the alarm on the human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines and urging the Canadian government to act.
Individuals can speak out, too. They can add their names by using the letter-writing tool on ICHRP Canada's website.