The United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) expressed “deep concern” over the Philippine government’s labeling as “terrorists” two UN executives.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Joan Carling, focal person for Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development were among a hundred of other individuals who the Philippines government alleged should be declared as terrorists. “These charges must be dropped immediately, and support provided for the legitimate activities of these individuals who have UN mandates, and the civil society organizations with which they work,” said Erik Solheim, Unep in a news statement posted on its web site.
Solheim said UN Environment has a long-standing relationship with Tauli-Corpuz and Carling, in line with its mandate as leading global environmental authority, and its normative framework on international human-rights standards. “It is deeply concerning that authorities have routinely responded to the expressions of environmental- and human-rights defenders by criminalizing and delegitimizing their voices. The shrinking space available to independent people to carry out legitimate work and to speak on behalf of many voiceless indigenous and local communities globally is an issue that must be addressed through increasing openness and participation,” he added.
He said UN Environment has developed a policy on promoting greater protection for environmental defenders, which recognizes and relies on the critical work of the United Nations Special Procedures and civil society actors. The policy is grounded in international environmental law, including in relevant UN instruments and resolutions.
“UN Environment also emphasizes the important role those named can play in implementation and effective policy-making. It is on this basis that UN Environment is calling for these allegations to be dropped, and the safety of those named in the legal petition be assured,” Solheim said. Internet sources said Tauli-Corpuz, of Igorot ethnicity, assumed responsibilities as the third United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on June 2, 2014.
She is the first recipient of the Gabriela Silang Award, which was conferred in 2009 by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. She was the former chairman of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2005-2010).
She was a graduate of the Philippine Science High School in Diliman, Quezon City, in 1969 and completed her nursing degree at the University of the Philippines College of Nursing, University of the Philippines Manila.