Akbayan on SC decision on Anti-Terror Law: A devastating blow to human

Akbayan Partylist today expressed its ‘grave disappointment’ at the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the Anti-Terrorism Law. It called the decision a “devastating blow” for human rights, a day before the country marks International Human Rights Day.

The progressive group said that while it welcomes the high tribunal’s move to strike down certain provisions of the measure which it deemed detrimental to the right to dissent, it said that the measure largely is still a threat to human rights and political and civil liberties.

Akbayan said that even as it acknowledges that terrorism is a serious threat which needs to be addressed,  it stressed that government measures meant to address terrorism, shouldn’t be turned against ordinary citizens.

“This is a devastating blow for human rights and democracy. The Supreme Court missed the opportunity to defend the Filipino people’s human rights and democracy,” Akbayan First Nominee Percival Cendana said.

Akbayan said that the government must not “terrorize the public in order to address terrorism.”

“You don’t defeat terrorism by terrorizing the people and stifling their rights. The answer to non-state terrorism is not state terrorism.  Dahil sa batas na ito, ang karapatan at demokrasya ng mamamayan ay nanganganib sa kamay ng iba’t-ibang terorista, mapa nasa gobyerno man o sa labas,” Cendaña said.

Prior to today’s decision by the Supreme Court en banc, 37 different petitions were filed against the measure on various grounds – two of which Akbayan chair emeritus Etta Rosales and Akbayan 2nd nominee Dr. RJ Naguit are petitioners respectively. Many of them expressed concern that the definition of terrorism used in the law is far too broad, opening the measure for potential abuse. Akbayan called on the public to exercise vigilance and for people to know their rights.

Akbayan said that it is in the process of consulting with legal experts, particularly from the human rights community, to see what other legal remedies are available so that the Supreme Court can reconsider its decision. It added that in order to truly address terrorism, government should address its root causes, and fix the conditions that drive people towards terrorist groups.

“Terrorism is not just a security issue, and beating it through force and fear are not enough. It involves all of society. We must all work to address the systemic causes of discontent – poverty, disenfranchisement, and gross inequality. If we meet these challenges, only then we will enjoy a nation that is truly free of fear,” Cendaña said.