Human rights group KARAPATAN staged a protest in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, September 9, calling for the repeal of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The group also submitted a petition to the Supreme Court seeking a review of cases filed against activists under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA), RH Tina Nolasco reported.
KARAPATAN Deputy Secretary General Maria Sol Taule said their letter to the high court included copies of court decisions dismissing several cases due to insufficient evidence.
“Gusto namin sana ipa-review yung mga cases ng anti-terror law and terrorist financing law na isinasampa sa mga aktibista at iba pang members ng civil society,” Taule said.
She added that the group wants the Supreme Court to reconsider the controversial laws, which KARAPATAN claims have been used against human rights defenders, community organizers, development workers, and other civil society members.
The group said the review is intended to address what it described as the misuse of anti-terrorism and terrorist financing laws in cases involving activists and civil society organizations.
