MANILA, Philippines — Environmental organization Greenpeace urged the government to junk the list seeking to label more than 600 individuals as “terrorists,” saying the move puts the lives of innocent people in danger.
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“We are gravely alarmed over such moves that target, harass and criminalize individuals and organizations that legitimately work to protect human rights, including those who seek to protect our rights to enjoy the blessings of nature, to a stable climate and to a healthy environment,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director Yeb Saño said.
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Saño stressed that the tagging of environmental and human rights defenders is being used “to make sure that the exploitation of the people and our environment goes on unabated.”
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“The listing is obviously a mechanism to discourage and limit the capacity of communities to stand up against environmental destruction, land grabbing, illegal fishing, illegal logging and the general corporatization of natural resources,” he said.
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READ: Int’l group condemns Philippine bid to label rights defenders as terrorists
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Saño, moreover, raised alarm that the government petition might result in more killing of activists.
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In 2017, the Philippines ranked in the deadliest countries for land and environmental defenders, according to a report by non-governmental organization Global Witness.
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“A working democracy is necessary to uphold the welfare and well-being of our people. Activism is not a crime. We will not be cowed,” he said.
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Last month, the Department of Justice sought to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, as terror bodies under the Human Security Act of 2007. This came months after Duterte signed a proclamation tagging CPP and NPA as terrorist groups.
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Under the law, the Anti-Terrorism Council can order the arrest of suspected terrorists even without a warrant.
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Duterte had repeatedly accused groups identified with the national democratic movement of being communist fronts. Activists said that the president’s “red-tagging” of individuals and organizations put their lives at risk.
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READ: Terrorist petition a ‘virtual hit list’ — Human Rights Watch
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