Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, carried out an official country visit to the Philippines from 23 January to 2 February 2024. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur expresses her recognition of the vibrant civil society and diverse media landscape in the Philippines as well as the serious threats and challenges that they face. While acknowledging the measures taken by the Government since it took office in June 2022, the Special Rapporteur finds that they have not been sufficient. She calls upon the Government to carry out substantive legal, policy and institutional reforms to strengthen freedom of expression, end the intimidation and harassment of, threats to and attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and civil society actors, release urgently those in prolonged detention, and ensure that the perpetrators of such attacks are brought to justice in a timely manner.