The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) reiterates and amplifies its call for the immediate release of child rights advocate Sally Ujano, who marks her 68th birthday this day behind bars at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).
Ujano, a lifelong defender of women’s and children’s rights, was arrested in November 2021 on trumped-up charges stemming from decades-old allegations. She has now spent 17 months in detention, despite her clear record of advocacy and service to the Filipino people.
“Our birthday wish for Nanay Sally is still the same wish we make every day, for her to have her freedom and justice,” said Edgar “Egay” Cabalitan, PAHRA Secretary General. “For someone who has dedicated her life to protecting the vulnerable, it is unjust that she remains the one deprived of liberty.”
Cabalitan emphasized that Ujano’s decades-long commitment to advancing human rights and child protection stands as a testament to her integrity and selflessness.
“Magpipitong dekada nang nabubuhay si Nanay Sally sa mundo, at ilang dekada ang tinaya niya para sa adbokasiya at karapatang pantao,” he said. “She deserves to spend her remaining years surrounded by her family and community, not in a prison cell built on lies.”
He further pointed out the glaring double standard in the country’s justice system. “Corrupt politicians with piles of evidence proving their guilt are still out, while Nanay Sally, who has piles of evidence to prove her innocence, is in jail,” Cabalitan said. “This is the kind of injustice that must end.”
“Patanda na nang patanda si Nanay Sally,” Cabalitan added. “Tama na ang pagbibirthday niya sa loob ng kulungan, lalo na’t inosente siya. Palayain si Nanay Sally Ujano.”
PAHRA requested a dialogue with the Office of the President to raise pressing human rights concerns. The dialogue took place on October 8 with the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination (SCHRC), an interagency body of the government tasked with addressing human rights issues. During the meeting, PAHRA appealed for the immediate release of Nanay Sally Ujano on humanitarian grounds and reiterated the urgent call for the enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Law. The alliance emphasized that Nanay Sally’s case reflects the continuing criminalization of human rights work in the country. In response, the SCHRC informed PAHRA that the case of Sally Ujano has been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for appropriate action.###
PAHRA: Free Sally Ujano - PAHRA
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