Submission to the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights 77th Session, 2025 Philippines
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND), a coalition of over 66 grassroots organizations and advocates from across the Philippines and abroad, welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (the Committee) as it reviews the Philippines’ Seventh Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
This submission draws upon the inputs from grassroots organizations advocating for the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights, with a particular focus on marginalized populations. It critically analyzes the Philippine government’s performance in fulfilling its ICESCR obligations, including adherence to core principles such as ensuring Minimum Essential Levels of rights, preventing retrogressive measures, and addressing discrimination. The State’s obligation to prioritize those at greatest risk remains paramount, even in the context of resource constraints.
News
100 days and failing: Marcos Jr’s first hundred days as President
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The first 100 days of President Marcos Jr.’s administration spelled 100 days of failed governance as inflation continues to wreak havoc on the people’s income. Reaching the highest at almost seven percent in four years, and even at double digit figures in some regions, inflation meant that the most basic food items such as rice, sugar and salt are disappearing from the dining table of the poorest populations. Rising prices in fuel, electricity, water and other utilities have also affected major goods and services.
TUMINDIG para sa Katotohanan, Kasaysayan, at Demokrasya
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Pahayag ng iDefend sa ika-50 taong anibersaryo ng pagdeklara ng batas militar
Limampung taon mula nang ideklara ang batas militar sa ating bayan. Nagawa ng mamamayang Pilipinong ipagtanggol at ipagwagi ang laban na muling umiral ang demokrasya sa bansa. Ngunit ito’y patuloy na pinipilit nakawing muli, binabaluktot ang kasaysayan, itinatanggi ang katotohanan, at pilit na pinaliliit ang espasyo para sa ating karapatang magpahayag at kalayaang magprotesta sa lahat ng kamaliang nagaganap sa bansa.
The State of Human Rights and urgent demands
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iDefend statement for SONA 2022
On World Criminal Justice Day, we demand accountability for generations of crimes against humanity
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July 17 is International Criminal Justice Day. It marks 20 years since the ratification of the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court, by 60 states. Today there are over 120 States Parties to the ICC. The Philippines ratified the Rome Statute in 2011, and nominated the first Filipino to serve a full term as one of the ICC judges in 2015. In the midst of the brutal war on drugs, the Duterte government withdrew from the ICC in the mistaken assumption that it could avoid investigation for the thousands of extrajudicial killings.