Karapatan slams PNP for 'psychological torture' of Sona protesters

Human rights group Karapatan on Wednesday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop the alleged “psychological torture” of nine protesters arrested during Monday's rallies relating to the State of the Nation Address (Sona). In a statement, Karapatan said the apprehended persons were questioned without their lawyers and pressured to identify other protesters. The group asserted that such actions violate international human rights laws. The arrests occurred as part of protests typically held around the time of the Sona, where citizens express their views on government policies and social issues. However, allegations of pressure on demonstrators by authorities have been raised by human rights groups on several occasions. Karapatan demanded that the PNP respect the rights of those arrested and ensure they are treated fairly. The group also called for prompt access to legal counsel for all detainees and transparency in the interrogation process. As of this report, the PNP has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo