MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has once again said that former Senator Leila de Lima must be released from detention and her remaining case of alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade must be dropped.
In its decision dated October 27 but made public Wednesday, the Commission on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians said that the criminal cases filed against de Lima were moves against her for speaking out against former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign.
“The Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians remains convinced that the steps taken against Ms. De Lima came in response to her vocal opposition to the way in which the then President Duterte was waging war on drugs,” it said.
IN THE KNOW: The Inter-Parliamentary Union
The IPU “expressed grave concern” that even with the recent recantations of prosecution witnesses, de Lima remains in detention.
“[…]Expresses grave concern that more than seven years after she was first charged, Ms. de Lima continues to languish in detention, even though the prosecution’s case has collapsed and the latest recantations of witnesses underscore the serious deficiencies that had already been identified early on in the evidence presented against her,” the IPU added.
READ: IPU renews call for De Lima’s release
In October, two prosecution witnesses recanted their testimonies against the former senator in her last case. According to their letter, which contained their intent to recant, the two said they were “bothered by their conscience.”
The organization reiterated that de Lima should be released and urged authorities to take necessary actions.
‘[…] Renews it call, in light of the foregoing, for Ms. de Lima to be released immediately and for the remaining criminal case against her to be dropped; and urges the authorities to take the necessary action forthwith,” it added.
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