Parliamentarians from other countries are to visit the Philippines to check on the condition of detained Sen. Leila de Lima, whom they believe is being persecuted and politically harassed for criticizing President Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians on Wednesday said it had received approval from Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to look into De Lima’s case.
“[The committee] is pleased that the President of the Senate would welcome a visit by a delegation of the committee in order to address the concerns and questions that have arisen in this case …,” it said in a resolution that was addressed to the IPU Governing Council for adoption of its decisions regarding De Lima’s case.
It underscored the importance for the committee delegation to be sent to Manila to meet with De Lima and her lawyers and with “relevant parliamentary, executive and judicial authorities.”
The committee, in its resolution addressed from the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka, said it had examined the case of De Lima and was “deeply concerned” about her “arrest, detention and the accusations levied against her.”
It said the accusations against her did not make sense, and questioned public statements made by President Duterte and his justice secretary that effectively condemned the senator even as legal proceedings against her had yet to begin.
“There is serious reason to believe that she is targeted due to her outspoken criticism of the impact of the current government’s policies on human rights in the Philippines,” the IPU said.
It said Mr. Duterte’s statements “forcibly carry great weight and may put undue pressure on the course of the criminal cases.”
De Lima expressed hope on Thursday that the IPU would visit her soon.
“The IPU’s resolution to send a fact-finding mission to the Philippines in order to get a clearer view on my case is indeed a welcome development. The Senate President has likewise welcomed this, and I hope that this would happen at the soonest time,” she said in a statement.