A high-ranking official from the European Union (EU) on Wednesday, March 29, called for the release of detained former senator Leila de Lima “without further delay” as he embarked on a three-day visit to talk about human rights in the country and the region.

EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore visited De Lima inside the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) custodial facility, where she had been held in detention for the past six years.

“I have just visited @AttyLeiladeLima, in prison. Senator Leila de Lima, Human Rights and Social Rights champion, has been in ‘pre-trial’ detention for more than 6 years. She should be released without further delay,” he tweeted.

EU in the Philippines’ official Facebook page also posted about the visit.

“EU Special Representative for #HumanRights Eamon Gilmore visited former Senator Leila de Lima at her detention cell in Camp Crame. The EUSR heard about Atty. de Lima’s situation and prospects. The (European Union) continues to be attentive to the former Senator’s case,” the post read.

                                       (Photo from the Office of Atty. De Lima)

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The delegation also posted photos of the visit and credited them to De Lima’s office.

The former senator, who sought reelection but lost in the 2022 polls, was arrested and detained under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte after she was accused of enabling the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison to fund her 2016 senatorial campaign.

She had so far been acquitted in one of the three drug charges against her, while witnesses also retracted their statements against her.

De Lima was a critic of the former president.

Meanwhile, Gilmore also met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday, March 28, to talk about human rights issues in the Philippines, the region, and in Europe.

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He was accompanied by EU Ambassador to Manila Luc Veron.

“At the start of my 3-day visit, I meet with Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo @SecManalo. We discussed #HumanRights issues in PH and the region, including progress and challenges, #EU trade preferences and areas for co-operation,” he said in a separate tweet.

Manalo also shared on Twitter about the meeting, calling it a “constructive dialogue” and a reaffirmation of the commitment to strengthen ties.

“Had a constructive dialogue with @EamonGilmore, EU Special Representative on Human Rights. We reaffirmed our commitment to strengthen PH-EU partnership based on our shared values of democracy, rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights,” he wrote.

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Veron expressed his “delight” to accompany the EU Special Representative.

“We discussed further engagements in international human rights fora,” he said.