GABRIELA Women’s Partylist Representative Liza Largoza Maza today welcomed the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) decision upholding the Philippines’ Supreme Court decision as it closed its investigation on the Department of Justice’ rebellion case against the Batasan 6.
“The IPU has affirmed the Supreme Court decision on the rebellion case filed against us, finding the case baseless and without merit. We likewise welcome their commitment to keep tabs on developments on the murder charges against Rep. Satur Ocampo in Leyte and Nueva Ecija provinces and on the sedition case filed against Rep. Crispin Beltran.” said Maza.
Maza and Ocampo attended the 117th IPU assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland from October 6-9. Last Monday, the militant lawmakers gave the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians an update on the human rights situation in the country particularly on the political persecution against progressive legislators. They likewise reported on the cases of extrajudicial killings and disappearances involving members and leaders of militant partylist organizations.
“The IPU has recognized the persecution and harassment against us and our partylist organizations as politically motivated. Indeed, the human rights crisis in the Philippines has reached such proportions that the international community cannot ignore.” said Maza.
The IPU CHRP was convened by Senator Sharon Carstaires of Canada with five other committee members from Algeria, Chile, France and the United Kingdom. #
