We condemn the court’s decision convicting Carlos Celdran of “offending religious feelings” and we support the fight for freedom of expression. The ruling against Celdran is clearly a repressive act and an assault on civil liberties and free speech.
The plight of Celdran highlights the need to intensify the fight for human rights. Even artists like Ericson Acosta have been held by the state for exercising their right to expression and dissent. There are more than 300 political detainees in the country now. We hope Celdran takes up the cudgels for all who are unjustly detained and those oppressed.
We urge the courts to reverse its ruling versus Celdran. We also call on the present Aquino administration to uphold human rights and free expression.
Free all who are unjustly imprisoned because of their convictions.
—VENCER CRISOSTOMO,
national chair, Anakbayan,
anakbayan.media@gmail.com