The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) welcomes the formal communication sent by United Nations human rights experts to the Marcos Jr. administration regarding the case of long-time women’s rights advocate Sally Ujano.


The letter was issued by Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Matthew Gillett, Vice-Chair on Communications of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and Laura Nyirinkindi, Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.


The communication, addressed to the Philippine President, outlines serious concerns about Nanay Sally’s arrest and detention, and formally requires the government to respond. This is a strong signal of international concern over the treatment of a long-time advocate and the shrinking space for civil society in the country.


“This is a significant step forward in the fight to free Nanay Sally,” said PAHRA Secretary-General Edgar Cabalitan. “The support of the international community urging the government to act renews our hope that justice will finally be served for an innocent woman who has dedicated her life to the rights of women and children.”


PAHRA has been at the forefront of the campaign to free Nanay Sally, consistently asserting her innocence and calling attention to her worsening health. The alliance recently convened fellow human rights defenders to amplify the call for her immediate release.


“Now that this case has been brought to the attention of Philippine authorities and they are required to respond, we urge the government to act without delay,” Cabalitan emphasized. “Every day of inaction is a day of injustice and neglect. It is time to uphold truth and restore Nanay Sally’s freedom.”