CHR urges gov’t action on activist harassment after killing of labor leader

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday renewed its call for the government to take action against the harassment of activists after a labor leader was killed just weeks after the “Bloody Sunday” operations.

CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said the killing of Pamantik-Kilusang Mayo Uno vice-chairman Dandy Miguel is the latest in a “spate of violence against rights defenders.”

“The escalating situation of violence and harassment against union leaders and activists calls for urgent action and tangible measures,” she said in a statement.

Miguel was shot eight times on a street in Laguna over the weekend.

The slain labor leader was among those who filed complaints before the CHR over the killing of nine activists during police operations on March 7.

“We call on all concerned agencies – including Congress, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor and Employment – to give preferential attention to this prevalent disregard to the right to life, security, and rule of law,” De Guia said.

“In this week of solemnity, we ask for the ceasing of operations and crackdowns against rights defenders,” she added.

The DOJ is set to conduct a preliminary assessment to see if Miguel’s killing was connected to his leadership of a labor group.

Progressive lawmakers, meanwhile, expressed concern that the week-long lockdown of Metro Manila and neighboring areas would be used as an opportunity to harass activists. — DVM, GMA News