CMNT_TITLE

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Philippines (RATIFICATION: 1960)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. The Committee notes that, under section 3 of the “Human Security Act of 2007,” which took effect in July 2007, a person commits the crime of “terrorism” in committing certain existing offences, if a consequence is “sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the Government to give in to an unlawful demand”. Such acts are subject to a penalty of 40 years imprisonment without the benefit of parole. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the application in practice of this provision, including copies of any relevant court decisions, so as to enable the Committee to ascertain that its application in practice does not lead to the use of compulsory labour as a punishment for holding or expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system, in contravention of the Convention.