Tuesday 29 May 2018

De Lima hailed as most distinguished Filipino rights defender by AI


 

Senator Leila De Lima never fails to get the accolades…even behind detention bars.

De Lima who is being detained for allegedly protecting and coddling drug traders inside the National Penitentiary (NewBilibid Prison) in Munitinlupa during her stint as Justice Secretary of  the previous administration.

She was able to clinch the distinction from fellow opposition senator Sen. Risa Hontiveros – as the most distinguished individual human rights defender as hailed by Amnesty International Philippines.
Detained Opposition Senator Leila De Lima (photo credit to CNC)

Other nominees for the distinction were LGBTIQ and rights advocate Ryan Silverio, PhilRights Executive Director Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan and DAKILA Executive Director Leni Velasco for the individual category.

In a statement given to the media, the senator considers this recognition as a vindication from what she called a “politically-motivated trumped-up charges” filed by the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“It is with great honor to receive this latest accolade as recognition for my unwavering stance on human rights despite my continued unjust detention and political persecution,” the former Commission on Human Rights chairperson said.

Prior to this award she has been also recognized as  one of the world’s greatest leaders by Fortune Magazine, one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine, one of the leading Global Thinkers in 2016 and 2017 by Foreign Policy Magazine and one of the Southeast Asia’s Women to Watch by the Diplomat Magazine.

Amnesty International last year also recognized the detained senator as one of the notable women human rights defenders.

 In the same awards night, DAKILA was was recognized as the most distinguished human rights defender for organization. Floyd Scott Tiogangco and Christia Angela Roque were the recipients of Outstanding Young Human Rights Defender and Art that Matters for Film, respectively.


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