Submission to the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights 77th Session, 2025 Philippines
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND), a coalition of over 66 grassroots organizations and advocates from across the Philippines and abroad, welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (the Committee) as it reviews the Philippines’ Seventh Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
This submission draws upon the inputs from grassroots organizations advocating for the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights, with a particular focus on marginalized populations. It critically analyzes the Philippine government’s performance in fulfilling its ICESCR obligations, including adherence to core principles such as ensuring Minimum Essential Levels of rights, preventing retrogressive measures, and addressing discrimination. The State’s obligation to prioritize those at greatest risk remains paramount, even in the context of resource constraints.
News
The vindication of Leila De Lima
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Former Senator Leila de Lima has been granted bail and released by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court where she is facing her last drug related case. This vindicates her and the good fight she waged against the violent and criminal rule of former President Rodrigo Duterte. De Lima was ousted from the Senate leadership of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights in 2016 and slapped with trumped up charges by the Duterte government after initiating the only credible investigation into the war on drugs.
Hustisya para kay Juan Jumalon at sa iba pang mamamahayag na biktima ng karahasan at paglabag sa karapatang pantao!
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Pahayag ng iDEFEND sa pagkakapaslang kay DJ Johnny Walker
Mariing kinokondena ng In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend) ang pagpaslang sa brodkaster na si Ginoong Juan Jumalon, kilala bilang DJ Johnny Walker, sa loob mismo ng kanyang tahanan at studio, noong ika-5 ng Nobyembre. Binaril si Jumalon ng ilang salarin habang naka livestream sa Calamba, Misamis Occidental. Si Jumalon ang ika apat na mamamahayag na pinaslang sa ilalim ng gobyernong Marcos Jr.
iDefend Condemns Israel War Crimes
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In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) vehemently condemns the unabated bombings of Gaza and the attacks on its civilian population including the bombing of the Al-Ahli Hospital last week, and continued threats to target civilian establishments, especially hospitals. These acts including ongoing raids and killings in Ramallah, East Jerusalem and the West Bank amounts to crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by Israel on the Palestinian people.
JUSTICE CANNOT WAIT
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Statement on the ICC decision rejecting the Philippine appeal on its investigation