Asia Europe People’s Forum
August 8, 2022

We are shocked at the charges of cyberlibel against Dr Walden Bello an internationally acknowledged professor and activist. We condemn the subsequent arrest and persecution that Prof. Walden is facing. We believe that the charges and the treatment being meted out to Prof Walden indicates that democracy and democratic rights that the Philippino people have struggled for over so many years is imperilled.

Charging and arresting Walden Bello- an internationally recognised dissident and thought leader who fought a legitimate mass campaign in the recent elections, shows that opposition voices are facing all kinds of harassment by state authorities.

We call for the immediate release of Dr Bello. We ask that all charges against him be dropped. We ask the Philippines government to deepen democracy, ensure the space for human rights and a culture of tolerance.

#FreeWaldenBello