Presumption of innocence and equal protection of the laws are constitutionally guaranteed rights. It is upon the government to ensure that all citizens—regardless of gender, economic status, religion, or political affiliation—enjoy these safeguards against injustices and assaults to human dignity.

As such, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) calls out the Philippine National Police in their treatment of former CHR chairperson and now elected senator, Leila M de Lima. The Senator has consistently been heavily guarded and covered by police escorts with their extended hands in attempt to hide her from the public and media during her attendance at court hearings. This visual is a stark contrast with how the police handles other high profile personalities accused of crimes.

Even in detention, the UN Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners equally asserts that: “Except for those limitations that are demonstrably necessitated by the fact of incarceration, all prisoners shall retain the human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [emphasis added].”

We call on the government to exercise impartiality in applying these human rights standards to Senator de Lima, as well as all persons deprived of liberty. It is their obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone, as well as ensure that the foundational principles of a democracy, as reflected in our Constitution, are preserved. ###