The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) – Germany was launched in Berlin to mark the 76th International Human Rights Day. The event brought together Filipinos, Germans, and other international solidarity supporters. ICHRP-Germany aims to amplify the campaigns for human rights in the Philippines, expand the solidarity network and promote wide global support for the cause.
Under the theme “Living Solidarity – ICHRP Germany for Human Rights in the Philippines,” the event opened with a discussion on human rights violations in the Philippines, led by Cynthia Deduro of Gabriela Germany. A victim of human rights abuses herself, Deduro recounted being forced to seek asylum in Germany due to government harassment targeting her and her husband for their activism and staunch defense of human rights. She emphasized the worsening situation under the Marcos regime, highlighting the continous and even worsening human rights abuses from Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to his son, the current Presidnet Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She added that there had been no fundamental changes to the dismal human rights situation in the Philippines.
The discussion followed by testimonies of Revd. Christopher Ablon and Kiri Dalena on the genesis and development of their activism. Dalena, a Filipina filmmaker and human rights activist, revealed that her desire for film making exposed her to basic sectors in society who fell victims of human rights violations. These strengthened her resolve to engage in activism and expose these social injustices using the lens of her camera. She added that because of her activism, she and other activists were charged with perjury filed by the National Security Adviser and retired general Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Reb Chris, a Filipino priest, activist and musician, recounted that his faith and ministry shaped his engagement in activism. He shared that it started with his involvement with the ecological justice campaign programs of the Church, then later in human rights and peace activism. He live by the conviction to stay grounded in the faith that humans are made in God’s image. He also mentioned the failed “riding in tandem” attempt on his life together with five other priests in Manila in 2019 and the intensified red-tagging against him in 2022 and 2023 that eventually forced him to leave the country.
The launching was also graced by congratulatory messages by Peter Murphy, chairperson of the ICHRP Global Council and Christina Palabay, chairperson of KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights in the Philippines. Both emphasized the importance and urgency of international solidarity to expose and fight against the grave human rights abuses under the US-supported Marcos Jr. regime.
The event concluded with group discussions where relevant recommendations and perspectives on next steps forward and desired activities to further campaign for the protection of human rights in the Philippines were collected. As a manifestation, the participants created two placards, one with a call for the release of Tomas Dominado, a political prisoners, arrested only a few day before December 5; and one placard calling for action and accountability: “Kung hindi tayo, sino? Kung hindi ngayon, kalian? (If it is not us, who will? If it is not now, when will it be?).##
What is ICHRP?
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) is a global network dedicated to campaigning for just and lasting peace in the Philippines.
We coordinate with partner organizations on the ground in the Philippines to draw attention to the most pressing issues, and generate moral, political, and material support for the most oppressed and exploited people in the country.
With 65 member organizations across 15 countries—ranging from grassroots solidarity groups to churches, trade unions, and environmental organizations—ICHRP is more active than ever and is always growing.
Here are some of the highlights of our solidarity work this past year:
Campaign on US-backed counter-insurgency
In response to calls from the mass movement in the Philippines, ICHRP prioritized the issue of US-backed counterinsurgency and its effects on the Filipino people this year.
We recognize the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) as a co-belligerent force with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), qualifying the civil war in the Philippines as an armed conflict subject to international law. The GRP’s frequent violations of international rules of war disguised as counterinsurgency continues to block efforts to build a just peace in the country.
In 2024 we exposed the so-called “counter-insurgency campaign” of the Philippine government through statements, urgent alerts, webinars, videos, and submissions to governments and intergovernmental bodies. We also fundraised for peasant communities who are facing the brunt of state violence.
International People’s Tribunal
In May of 2024, ICHRP was an official sponsor of the International People’s Tribunal (IPT) in Brussels. The tribunal was organized by the grassroots solidarity movement, and brought together a panel of legal experts to produce a verdict based on evidence and testimonies.
The 2024 IPT focused on the war crimes of the Duterte and Marcos Jr regimes, and identified the Biden administration as culpable. After hearing over a dozen harrowing testimonies, the jury unanimously agreed that the Philippine government was guilty of gross violations of International Humanitarian Law with the backing of the US government.
The verdict of the IPT was an important moment in exposing the world to the realities of “counter-insurgency” in the Philippines, which amounts to sweeping repression and violence against any and all dissent.
Conference on Peace Talks
In Europe, ICHRP member organization Catalan Association for Peace held a conference on the path towards peace which featured members of the NDFP negotiating panel and representatives from various other liberation movements around the world, including Columbia, Ireland, Guatemala, and South Africa.
A new ICHRP member organization, CHRP-Germany, was founded and launched this year.
Get involved!
ICHRP’s mission is to advocate for just and lasting peace in the Philippines. Our solidarity is most powerful when we’re unified and organized in action. You can help us build this unity by joining a local ICHRP member organization, or forming your own. Reach out to ICHRP at ichrp.net/contact if you aren’t sure how to get involved!
