DEFEND AND PROTECT
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE!

THE LATEST

Showing Jovito Palparan to Families of Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan Not Enough to Disprove Special Privileges Accorded by Bureau of Corrections to Convicted Human Rights Violator

Showing Jovito Palparan to Families of Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan Not Enough to Disprove Special Privileges Accorded by Bureau of Corrections to Convicted Human Rights Violator

Jun 29, 2026

Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño, mothers of abducted University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, conducted a personal verification of retired Major General Jovito Palparan’s detention at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) last June 25, 2026. The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) had no choice but to allow the request of the private complainants after much public outcry following reports and official court records pointing to Palparan’s transfer in Baguio City despite his 2018 conviction for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of Sherlyn and Karen.

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.

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NOMINATIONS TO THE EBRU TIMTIK AWARD ARE NOW OPEN!
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THE PHILIPPINES IS A

DANGEROUS

PLACE FOR LAWYERS.

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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