The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression has recommended to the Philippine government the issuance of an “executive order denouncing the practice of red-tagging” and measures that “discourage, disincentivize and discipline those who violate the policy.”
In her report on the Philippines presented at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled from June to July 2025, Special Rapporteur Irene Khan also called on the country to accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
“In the light of the history of enforced disappearances, unlawful killings and persistent impunity in the Philippines, the Special Rapporteur encourages the Government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to open discussions for re-accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC),” Khan’s report said.
“Both instruments would significantly enhance human rights protection and support the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression,” it added.
In her report, Khan also called on the Marcos administration to establish a clear policy condemning red-tagging and to impose penalties on those who engage in the practice.
During her visit, the Special Rapporteur met with dozens of individuals who claimed to have been targets of red-tagging.
“On the basis of complaints received during the country visit, the Special Rapporteur has communicated with the Government of the Philippines on allegations of vilification, harassment, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the killing of 27 individuals, at least eight of whom had been publicly subjected to red-tagging before they were murdered,” the report read..
It added that more than 450 red-tagging incidents were identified in the first half of 2024 alone, 17 percent of which targeted young people and 61 percent were attributed to government actors, representing a much larger number of affected persons based on the impact that red-tagging targeting civil society organizations, unions or educational institutions has on the rights and well-being of affiliated members, staff or students.
“Red-tagging isolates and antagonizes those who are targeted, putting them in a vulnerable position and possibly increasing their risk of being exploited by others. The vilification is deeply unfair, as there is no effective recourse against false accusations,” Khan said.
The Special Rapporteur recommended that the government “provide individual victims of vilification, such as red-tagging, with adequate and effective support and protection, including in relation to their complaints made to the Ombudsperson, the Commission on Human Rights or the courts.”
She also expressed support for “self-regulated media systems with a view to ensuring that such groups are able to operate effectively, safely and inclusively” and to respect the right of peaceful assembly, “with the only limitations those permitted under international human rights law.”
Khan also urged the Philippine government to ratify key international human rights treaties and reinstate its commitment to the ICC.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “UN Rapporteur proposes EO vs. red-tagging”
