On Monday, 10 August 2020, FMA joined a coalition of civil society groups and lawyers in filing the 27th petition seeking to nullify Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. The group, led by the Center for International Law (CenterLaw) assailed the constitutionality of the law, stating that it “reveals the Respondents’ misplaced priorities in the midst of a deadly Covid-19 pandemic and lays bare the government’s design to weaponize the law to suppress fundamental freedoms.” Included in the assailed provisions are those granting increased surveillance powers to law enforcement and military officers. The petitioners argue that these provisions violate the rights to privacy of persons and their communications, and the rights of the accused.
Previously, FMA also joined other civil society groups in publicly condemning the Anti-Terror Law for being violative of human rights.
Read more about the petition:
- Coalition of journalists, lawyers, HR advocates seek nullity of anti-terror law
- 27th petition vs. anti-terror law to be filed by CenterLaw, journalists on Monday
- Centerlaw, more journalists challenge anti-terror law
*Featured photo from Rappler
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