Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that the court hearing of Fernando Obedencio, an activist who has been held for nearly eight years over fabricated charges, is once again postponed indefinitely because of the absence of the judge hearing his case.
UPDATED INFORMATION: (Based on the information received from Moro Women Center Inc.)
In our previous appeal (AHRC-UAC-107-2013) we mentioned that Fernando Obedencio, a human rights activist who was tortured and laid with fabricated charges of illegal drugs, has since been detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in General Santos City.
While in police custody during his arrest in September, 2005, Obedencio was tortured by the police. He made a complaint of torture in the same police station where he was tortured, but, as expected, the police did not record his complaint. Thus, his allegation of torture was never investigated.
On September 13, 2013, the court was supposed to hear his case, but the hearing was postponed because the judge hearing his case had another activity to attend. Obedencio has since been waiting for his case to be heard. Such postponement has occurred on many other occasions as well. Until now, the court has not scheduled a date to hear his case.
The AHRC is renewing its call upon the concerned government authorities to ensure the immediate conclusion of Obedencio’s trial. It also urges the Philippine National Police to initiate an investigation into his allegation of torture which has remained uninvestigated for 8 years.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
