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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC allows UN Special Rapporteur Khan to act as 'friend of the court' in Nobel Laureate Ressa's cyber libel conviction

SC allows UN Special Rapporteur Khan to act as 'friend of the court' in Nobel Laureate Ressa's cyber libel conviction

Published Mar 25, 2024 07:45 am

The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan to act as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the appealed libel conviction of Nobel Laureate Maria A. Ressa.

In a resolution issued by its first division, the SC also noted the amicus curiae brief submitted by Khan through Atty. Rodel A. Taton.

The SC also allowed the filing of a brief “by way of special appearance” for Ressa by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute through Atty. Maria Cristina Yambot.

Khan visited the Philippines early this year.

Ressa, chief executive officer of Rappler news outfit, and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. were convicted by the regional trial court (RTC) of cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

On July 7, 2022, the Court of Appeals (CA) upheld their conviction and their jail term ranging from a minimum of six months and one day to a maximum of six years, eight months and 20 days.

With the CA’s denial of their motion for reconsideration, they elevated the case to the SC.

Khan had asked the SC to allow her to be an amicus curiae in Ressa’s cyber liber conviction.  She expressed her “concerns” that the law in the Philippines fails to adequately protect the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in which the Philippines is a party.

She claimed that the cybercrime law in the Philippines “limits the ability of journalists to expose, document and address issues of important public interest, thereby violating the right to receive and impart information.”

 

 

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