Global parliamentarian group calls for De Lima’s immediate release
Credit to Author: BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO| Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 04:47:55 +0000
THE Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Sen. Leila de Lima, whom it cited as one of the 187 persecuted members of parliament (MPs) worldwide.
De Lima was detained in February 2017 at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center on drug charges which were filed before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court.
The IPU claimed that the drug charges against the opposition senator were based on unsubstantiated statements of convicted felons.
With 178 members and 12 associate members, the IPU is an organization of national parliamentarians worldwide. Formed in 1889, the IPU aims to “protect and build global democracy through political dialog and concrete action.”
During its 140th assembly in Doha, Qatar in April, the IPU adopted a resolution urging the Philippine government to drop all politically-motivated charges against de Lima.
In a statement, the IPU expressed concerned that, “more than two years after her arrest, Senator Leila de Lima is still in detention despite the absence of any corroborated evidence to justify the charges against her.”
“The IPU calls on the authorities to release her immediately and for the legal proceedings against her to be dropped,” it added.
According to the IPU human rights panel, 84 percent of the 187 persecuted MPs across the world are members of the opposition. In several countries with records of human rights violations against MPs, it noted that 25 percent are women.
The post Global parliamentarian group calls for De Lima’s immediate release appeared first on The Manila Times Online.