We are a network of women human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and advocates expressing our concern over the arrest and detention of 20 members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines as they led the Pride March in commemoration of the International Pride Month in Manila today. We condemn the threats, arbitrary arrest, and detention of the members of the LGBTQ+ organization Bahaghari-Metro Manila, together with their allies Salinlahi (an alliance of child rights advocates), Gabriela Women’s Party, and GABRIELA. We also denounce the alleged threats of the Manila Police District (MPD) to shoot the protesters if they resisted arrest.
It is ironic how, on the day to celebrate the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, their very rights are violated. Amid the pandemic, threats to apprehend peaceful protesters under the guise of violating the general community quarantine (GCQ) rules are rampant. Despite practising social and physical distancing, the protesters were still arrested. This recent incident was meant to silence the Filipino people’s continuing call for democratic rights in light of the worsening human rights situation in the country.
We call on the MPD to release the 20 LGBTQ+ members and supporters of Bahaghari-Metro Manila who are only exercising their right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. We call on the Philippine government, including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the MPD to uphold human rights. We stand with the LGBTQ+ community and the Filipino people in the call for justice, peace, and democracy.
We also call on the international community to stand with the arrested LGBTQ+ and supporters, to stand against police harassment and brutality, and to stand with the Filipino people for democracy.
Signed,
Just Associates Inc. (JASS)
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD)
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos (IM-Defensoras)
350 Pilipinas
Protection International (PI)
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)
Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB), Philippines
Backyard Politics, Thailand
Buku, Thailand
Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), Philippines
Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa (SAMAKANA), Philippines
GABRIELA Philippines
GABRIELA-Youth, Philippines
Forum Aktivis Perempuan Muda (FAMM-Indonesia)
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Sangsan Anakot Yawachon Development Project, Thailand
V-Day Thailand
Young Feminist From Salawin River, Thailand
School Of Feminists, Thailand
ThaiConsent, Thailand
Tantang Group, Thailand
Aro/Ace-clusionist: Aromantic & Asexual Exist
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC)
SHero, Thailand
Perempuan Mahardhika (PM), Indonesia
Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM)
Green South Foundation (GSF), Thailand
Non-Binary Thailand
BAI Indigenous Women’s Network in the Philippines
Union of Homeland Struggle, Indonesia
Front Line Defenders
Tanggol Bayi (Defend Women) – Philippines
Karapatan Alliance Philippines
Movimentu Feto Foin Sae Timor-Leste (MOFFE)
Cambodian Food and Service Workers’ Federation (CFSWF)
Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM)
Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan (KMK), Philippines
People Like Us Hang Out! (PLUHO), Malaysia
Transmen of Malaysia
Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality, Fiji
Pacific Feminist SRHR Coalition, Pacific SIDS
Justice for Sisters, Malaysia
Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM), Thailand
Innabuyog – Cordillera, Philippines
Girls4Peace Network, Philippines
Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC), Philippines
National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates – Youth (NNARA Youth), Philippines
AMIHAN, Philippines
Photo Credit: League of Filipino Students (LFS)
