We in the Altermidya Network welcome the statement issued by five UN Special Rapporteurs and independent experts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urging the provisional release of Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights defender Marielle Domequil.
Five UN experts expressed alarm over the conviction of Frenchie Mae and Marielle on charges of financing terrorism after nearly six years of pre-trial detention. The five UN special rapporteurs Irene Khan, Ben Saul, Gina Romero, Mary Lawlor, and Margaret Satterthwaite are in contact with the Philippine government on this case, their statement read.
We join the UN experts in their call to grant bail to Frenchie and Marielle while they pursue their appeal on their unjust conviction.
Their conviction of terrorist financing, in the first place, rests heavily on testimonies that have been criticized as inconsistent, dubious, and politically motivated. The decision to deny them bail puts the fairness of the court into question.
The media community and press freedom advocates locally and abroad have repeatedly raised alarm about the distinct pattern of harassment, red-tagging, and retaliatory charges against journalists and human rights defenders in the Philippines. Frenchie and Marielle’s case has become symbolic of journalists and human rights defenders who continuously face risks because of their truth-telling and pro-people advocacy.
We assert that denying Frenchie Mae and Marielle their temporary freedom further creates a chilling effect on truth-telling and free expression, especially in these times when those who amplify critical voices play a vital role in holding power to account.
Frenchie and Marielle should not be made to endure this prolonged detention. We reiterate our call for their immediate release and for the reversal of their unjust conviction. #