The Filipino people and all victims of human rights abuses committed by the Marcos and Duterte regime extend their sincere gratitude to Australian Senator Janet Rice for her courageous protest during a session where Marcos Jr. was speaking. She raised a placard with the words ‘Stop the Human Rights Abuses’, demonstrating solidarity and support. In her tweet, she also stated, “Under President Marcos Jr., corruption in the Philippines is worsening. There are hundreds of political prisoners, and anti-terrorism laws are used as legal cover for extrajudicial killings. Yet, the Australian Government invited him to address the Parliament today. Shame.”
On the same day, various grassroots organizations, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Australia, held a short protest outside Parliament Hill while the Australian Parliament was in session to express the dismay of the Filipino community in Australia and other human right groups that support the campaigns to uphold human rights in the Philippine regarding the numerous human rights abuses of Marcos Jr., the human rights violations of Duterte’s barbaric drug campaign, and the attempts of the Marcos Jr. regime to change the constitution for term extensions and to sell off the Philippines’ economy to foreign capitalists. They were also joined by other members of parliament who oppose the AUKUS alliance and joint military exercises in the Asia Pacific region. They also emphasized the need for the Philippines to have an independent foreign policy.
Sr. Patricia Fox, Spokesperson of Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines in the Open letter to Members of the Australian Parliament, said “The Marcos Jr administration has undermined justice, democracy, and the rights of the Filipino people. It is a mistake for the Australian Government to accord Marcos Jr. the high honour of addressing the Australian Parliament. He will try to cover up injustice in his country, and his family’s legacy of corruption. Shame on the Albanese Government for allowing this to happen.”
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