Human Rights

UN Calls for Repeal of New Anti-Terror Law

The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights, Martin Scheinin, said today the recently passed anti-terrorism bill, called the Human Security Act, should be changed or abolished since, according to him, “implementation of this law could have a negative impact on human rights in the country and undermines the rule of law.”

“I am concerned that many provisions of the Human Security Act are not in accordance with international human rights standards,? Scheinin said, in this statement published on the UN website.

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‘Bombo Radyo: No One to Blame But Adonis Himself’

The following is the statement issued by Bombo Radyo in response to Lex Adonis claim that the network abandoned him. This was originally published in three parts in the Feb. 23, 24 and 25, 2007, issues of the Mindanao Daily Mirror.

Broadcaster Alexander ?Lex? Adonis should not blame Bombo Radyo, his former employer, for his conviction in the libel case filed by Congressman Prospero Nograles arising from the ?Burlesk King? controversy. He only has himself to blame for his woes.

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‘Burlesque King’: Libel Law Dooms Davao Newsman

Lex Adonis, one of Davao City’s hard-hitting radio broadcasters, is behind bars after a court convicted him of the libel case filed by House majority leader Rep. Prospero Nograles. Adonis’s misfortune illustrates what happens when a powerful public official uses the country’s libel laws to get back at a journalist who was too poor to hire a lawyer or attend court hearings.

Related item: ‘No One to Blame But Adonis Himself — Bombo Radyo’

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Digos Peasant Leader Laid to Rest

Renato “Ka Atong” Pacaide, who was shot dead on March 2 by suspected military agents in Digos City, was laid to rest on Friday. Before the burial in Digos City, his family, friends and colleagues paid tribute to the slain peasant leader through testimonies, songs and prayer. They then marched around the city denouncing the continuing killings of political activists and the government’s campaign against leftist groups. Click here for more pictures. (Photos courtesy of Karapatan-Southern Mindanao)

Read Davao Today’s story on Pacaide.

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A Day of Outrage

The unabated killing of political activists is depicted in this stage presentation by members of Gabriela, the women’s group, in observance of International Women’s Day today, March 8. According to women leaders, Filipino women have suffered enough under the Arroyo regime, whose security forces are being blamed for the atrocities. Click here for more pictures. (davaotoday.com photos by Barry Ohaylan)

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