Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) — A United States-based human rights group has called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise human rights concerns — including the drug war and “red-tagging” of government critics in the Philippines — when he meets President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Friday.
Albanese’s arrival in the country on Sept. 7 will mark the first visit by an Australian prime minister in 20 years.
He earlier said his trip will focus on cooperation with the Philippines on defense, security, development, and education, but Human Rights Watch (HRW) said his discussions with Marcos “can’t be fruitful without seriously discussing human rights.”
“The Australian government should recognize that it would be a mistake to deepen defense and security ties with the Philippines while ignoring human rights concerns,” HRW Australia director Daniela Gavshon said after the group made public its open letter to Albanese on Wednesday. “A security partner that routinely violates basic human rights will ultimately provide little safety and security for anyone.”
HRW asked the prime minister to tackle the brutal drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which it noted has continued with nearly 400 killings of suspects since Marcos assumed office last year. The figures it cited were from the University of the Philippines-based research group Dahas.
Albanese should urge the Philippines to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s probe into Duterte’s drug crackdown, as well as to “impartially investigate” related killings in both previous and current administrations, the organization said.
It added that he should make a statement regarding the potentially deadly practice of “red-tagging” and other forms of abuses against those who speak out against the government.
“Officials – including Marcos’ vice president, Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter – have red-tagged journalists, social media users, and teachers, who can subsequently face harassment, intimidation, and assault,” HRW said.
“Albanese should use his visit to publicly and privately urge Marcos to abandon red-tagging and to uphold freedom of speech,” the group added.
It further appealed to the prime minister to make clear the need to drop politically motivated charges against human rights defenders.
