IPU members call for transparency in De Lima trial
LOOK: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Cmte on Human Rights Pres Fawzia Koofi & Fazle Chowdhury visit De Lima in jail this pm @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/MAJ4lqZQsv
— Julliane de Jesus (@JLDejesusINQ) May 24, 2017
Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which earlier expressed concern about the detention of Senator Leila de Lima over illegal drug allegations, visited former Justice secretary in jail on Wednesday.
IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights president Fawzia Koofi, Fazle Karim Chowdhury, and Rogier Huzienga, IPU Human Rights programme manager, paid De Lima a visit at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center at Camp Crame past 12 noon.
Their meeting lasted until 1:30 p.m.
Koofi, an Afghan women’s rights activist, said they visited the former Justice secretary to “have an assessment of the situation on the ground about her case.”
“The IPU is concerned about the fact that human rights of a parliamentarian or a member of the Senate is in this case to be respected, due process to be implemented with respect to fair trial and justice to be implemented,” Koofi told reporters at Camp Crame.
Koofi said once they are done with the assessment, the group will relay their findings to concerned officials, hoping “this will further support the transparency in the trial process for Senator de Lima.”
The Afghan politician added that De Lima had no complaints about how she was being treated in prison.
But Koofi said they hope Philippine authorities, particularly judiciary officials, would respect the rule of law and give De Lima a fair trial.
She also urged the Senate leadership to allow De Lima to exercise her right to vote on crucial landmark legislations.
On Monday, minority lawmakers from the House of Representatives also visited De Lima at Camp Crame.
Minority leader Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones, Akbayan Rep. Tomasito Villarin and Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza all backed De Lima’s request for occasional furlough.
