CHR on 3 foreign missionaries in PHL: Even foreigners entitled to human rights

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday called for the swift resolution of cases involving three foreign missionaries who have been detained.

CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline De Guia said the rights body is concerned for Zimbabwean missionary Tawanda Chandiwana, Miracle Osman who is from Malawi and American Adam Thomas Shaw.

"We remind the government that even foreign nationals in the Philippines are entitled to their human rights,"  De Guia said.

"Hence, we call for the swift and just resolution of their cases  -- cognizant of our national laws, guided by the rule of law, and mindful of their right to due process," she added.

We remind the government that even foreign nationals in the
Philippines are entitled to their human rights. Hence, we call
for the swift and just resolution of their cases—cognizant of
our national laws, guided by the rule of law, and mindful of
their right to due process. pic.twitter.com/vrFq3OvqMq

— CHR Philippines (@chrgovph) July 4, 2018

According to the CHR, Tawanda remains in indefinite detention at Camp Bagong Diwa following his arrest in May while attending a seminar in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Osman's passport is reportedly still being held by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) while Shaw is prevented from leaving the country.

The Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church had also called on the Philippine government to "immediately release" Chandiwana and provide Osman and Shaw permission to leave.

According to BI spokesperson on Tuesday, the BI has ordered the deportation of all three missionaries for their for allegedly engaging in prohibited “political activities." — Margaret  Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News