(Eagle News) — The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday, Feb. 28, called on the government to ensure the protection of “leftist lawyers,” noting what it said were their “harassment and vilification.”
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia specifically mentioned the members of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao and the National Union of People’s Lawyers, whose member, Atty. Ben Ramos, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men in November last year.
“Lawyers who choose to bravely fight for the poor and oppressed must be supported and protected, not threatened nor disparaged,” De Guia said.
According to De Guia, “equal protection of the law must be accorded to all.”
“Harassment and vilification of lawyers labeled to be ‘leftists’ is another addition to the continuing trend of attack against groups that are progressive in upholding the people’s rights,” De Guia said.
“We continue to denounce this and repeat our urgent plea to the government to ensure (their) protection and security,” she added.