Zara Alvarez

Zara Alvarez (1981 – 17 August 2020) was a Filipina human rights advocate, educator, paralegal and prominent social activist who predominantly campaigned against human rights violations which were witnessed during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte. She was well known for her active campaign on protecting Human rights in the Philippines which became a matter of concern during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. During her career as a human rights activist, she was often a prime target of political mafia and reported to have received numerous death threats due to her active campaigns against human rights violations. On 17 August 2020, she was assassinated by unknown gunmen and her murder showcased a serious major crackdown and harassment against human rights activists and civilians in the Philippines.[1]

Not to be confused with Zayra Alvarez.
Zara Alvarez
Bornc. 1981
Died17 August 2020(2020-08-17) (aged 38–39)
Bacolod, Philippines
Nationality Philippines
OccupationSocial activist, human rights advocate, educator, paralegal

Career

Alvarez, a single mother, was actively involved in social activism and served as a paralegal staffer helping to spotlight cases regarding human rights violations on Negros Island to the United Nations Human Rights Council. She also worked as a volunteer for the human rights organization Karapatan where she served as the education director and also associated closely with the Negros Island Health Integrated Program as an advocacy officer.[1]

In 2018, she was purposely included in an official terror list among 600 individuals by the Duterte administration as to silence her. She was held in custody by the Philippine National Police and faced an imprisonment term of nearly two years until 2020.[2]

Murder
See also: Negros Island killings

On 17 August 2020, at around 8pm in the evening, she was reportedly shot several times by unidentified gunmen along the Sta. Maria Street in Eroreco, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.[2] She was apparently targeted by gunmen while she was heading to her home after buying dinner.[3]

She was killed on the day of the funeral of peace activist Randall Echanis who was assassinated on 10 August 2020.[4] She was the 13th member of the Karapatan organisation to be murdered during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte since 2016.[5]

Reactions

International rights group, International Coalition for Human Rights condemned and denounced the killing of the activist and, in an official statement, it stated that Alvarez was a brave figure and staunch defender of farmers and Filipino rights.[6]

Her murder sparked hot debate in the international community criticizing newly passed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Republic Act No. 11479), a measure giving the government more powers to act against persons or groups falling under what critics say is a dangerous and vague definition of terrorism.[7][8]

See also

References
  1. Regencia, Ted. "Human rights leader killed in Philippine 'war against dissent'". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  2. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (17 August 2020). "Negros-based activist killed in Bacolod – rights group Karapatan". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. "Two More Philippine Activists Murdered". Human Rights Watch. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  4. "Social Activist and Rights Advocate Zara Alvarez Murdered in the Philippines". NewsClick. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  5. Patag, Kristine Joy. "Zara Alvarez is our 13th rights worker killed under Duterte admin — Karapatan". philstar.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  6. Lozada, Bong (19 August 2020). "International rights group condemns killing of activist Zara Alvarez". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  7. "Catholic Bishop laments murder of human rights activist in Philippines". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  8. "Philippines: Human rights defender shot dead as 'cycle of bloodshed continues'". www.amnesty.org.uk. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
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