Protesters reiterate call to abolish Anti-Terror Law

Despite the rainy weather, human rights activists on Thursday held a protest before the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reiterate their call to abolish the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA).

In a statement, the group Karapatan said that the ATA and TFPSA pose threats to freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to due process.

“They legitimize political persecution under the guise of protecting national security,” Karapatan said.

“In targeting activists, community organizers, journalists, and other dissenting voices using broad and vague definitions of terrorism, these laws are nothing but instruments to violate the rights, harass and red-tag those who speak out against injustice,” added the group.

According to Karapatan, at least 227 individuals have been charged with violating the ATA and the TFPSA.

“We demand a stop to the persecution, an end to the weaponization of the ATA and the TFPSA, and the immediate repeal of these draconian laws,” Karapatan said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News