Tell the House to Support the Philippines Human Rights Act

Last year, Representative Susan Wild (D-PA) re-introduced the Philippines Human Rights Act in response to the lack of justice and accountability for extrajudicial killings and countless more human rights violations against labor organizers, dissidents, journalists, political opposition leaders, clergy members, and others. The legislation would block U.S. security assistance to the Philippines until human rights standards are met.

Leading human rights organizations have assessed that as many as 30,000 extrajudicial killings have occurred in the Philippines since 2016 under President Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs.” Furthermore, state security forces have conducted widespread use of torture, arbitrary imprisonment, “red tagging,” and other suppression of dissent.

According to Human Rights Watch, targeted assassinations and lack of accountability continue in the Philippines under President Marcos, Jr. It is pivotal to work for a U.S.-Philippines relationship that places the fundamental rights and dignity of the Filipino people at its center.

The United Methodist Church has long supported the Filipino people and spoken out against human rights violations (2016 United Methodist Book Resolution #6117). The Church has also raised concern over militarization, especially the militarized approach of the Philippine and U.S. governments to economic development and humanitarian crises in the Philippines (2016 United Methodist Book Resolution 6118).

Stand in solidarity with those seeking justice - use the form below to contact your Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R.1433, the Philippines Human Rights Act.