The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses alarm on the arrest of Maria Salome “Sally” Crisostomo-Ujano, a respected women and children’s rights advocate and national coordinator of Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT).

We raise concern over the propriety of the use of a 15-year-old warrant of arrest in order to hold in custody a 62-year-old women human rights defender (WHRD). Contrary to reports that she was in hiding, she represented civil society in various government programs including the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking, worked with various agencies including the Philippine Commission on Women and even with the Philippine National Police since 2004 when she was with the Women’s Crisis Center. Just this year, CHR has participated in the joint program of PACT and the Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB) in implementing the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313) in select educational institutions and local government units.

Statements of family members as well as various women’s and children’s rights organizations attest to her legitimate work as a WHRD. She is a recognised ally of government in combatting trafficking of women and girls, the promotion reproductive health services, and addressing violence against women.

The continuing arrests and criminalisation of human rights defenders are seen by the human rights community as attacks against the right to organise, freedom of expression, and the right to defend rights. This recent arrest has the effect of silencing human rights advocates especially women’s and children’s human rights defenders, contributing to the shrinking civic space in the country.

The CHR’s National Capital Region office is currently investigating the case and closely monitoring Sally’s situation in detention.

As we move towards the 25th of November, the kick off for the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, we take this occasion to remind the State that the obligation to eliminate all forms of violence against women does not only include preventing and protecting women from violence committed by third parties. We remind the Government that it has the primary responsibility to create an enabling environment for all human rights defenders to perform their role and be protected from threats and attacks. We call for an urgent review of the case specifically to seriously consider the grant bail and for Sally’s immediate release pending proceedings. ###