“[W]e refuse to live in fear and demand that our safety and security be ensured, knowing that the independent exercise of our profession is crucial for maintaining the rule of law and upholding justice.”
DEFEND AND PROTECT
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE!
THE LATEST
International Fair Trial Day Manila Conference
In commemoration of the annual International Fair Trial Day, we are inviting the public to the 2024 Manila Conference of the IFTD and the Ebru Timtik Awarding Ceremony on 14 June 2024, Friday, 10am to 5:30pm at the Malcolm Theater, Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law....
CDRC questions basis of freezing of bank accounts and constitutionality of AMLC’s power to freeze
“The overreaching powers inherent in the TFPSA and the ATA only serve as potent weapons to silence dissenting voices that the government has indiscriminately labeled as terrorists. But in what world can providing services to poor, disaster-stricken communities be considered an act that carries out, finances, or facilitates terrorism?”
Remembering Atty. Mario Niel “Bong” San Felix, Panay People’s Lawyer
Atty. Bong’s life was a testament to an extraordinary journey along the less-traveled path of people’s lawyering. His legacy is one we should honor by continuing his work and unwavering commitment to justice.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The NUPL is hosting two major international events this year. Mark your calendars!
22 - 28 April 2024
Strategies to Enhance Advocacy Relating to the Independence of the Legal Profession and the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines
The NUPL is partnering with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute in organizing a series of activities to support human rights defenders, including lawyers at risk, strategize, coordinate and undertake advocacy at national and international levels in relation to the independence of the legal profession and for the promotion and protection of human rights.
14 June 2024
International Fair Trial Day Conference and the Ebru Timtik Award Ceremony
The Philippines — where fair trial rights are being systemically violated– was chosen as the focus country for this year’s International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) Conference. A series of advocacy initiatives will be held to draw attention to the human rights situation in the country. The decision to establish an IFTD in 2021 by more than 100 legal associations all over the world was accompanied by the establishment of the Ebru Timtik Award. Ebru Timtik was a lawyer from Turkey who lost her life as a result of a 238-day hunger strike she undertook to protest against the systemic violations of fair trial rights which people in Turkey are facing. Every year, on the occasion of the IFTD, the Ebru Timtik Award is made by an independent jury to an individual or individuals and/or an organisation who have or which has made a significant contribution to the defense and promotion of the right to a fair trial in the focus country.
THE PHILIPPINES IS A
DANGEROUS
PLACE FOR LAWYERS.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) has been documenting and monitoring prima facie profession or work-related attacks and threats against lawyers and judges since its establishment in September of 2007.
The attacks and threats against lawyers continued in the first two years of the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The NUPL recorded a total of three (3) incidents of killings and 39 other forms of attacks beginning July 1, 2022 until December 31, 2023. The highest number of documented incidents involves the vilification and red-tagging of human rights lawyers by current and former state officials.
Atty. Ma. Saniata Liwliwa Alzate
Killed in September 2023
Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Vice-Chairperson
Atty. Juan Macababbad
killed in September 2021
NUPL-Negros Secretary General
Atty. Benjamin Ramos
killed in November 2018