‘Amnesty Int’l flags gov’t-sponsored online harassment like red-tagging’
Art Dumlao — April 14, 2025
‘Amnesty Int’l flags gov’t-sponsored online harassment like red-tagging’
BAGUIO CITY (April 10,, 2025) -- Online harassment allegedly by the Philippine authorities, including the practice of “red-tagging” or labelling individuals as communists, creates a climate of fear that is deterring young human rights defenders from engaging in activism and expressing themselves freely, Amnesty International’s first ever youth-led report bared.
The “Left to their own devices: The chilling effects of online harassment among young human rights defenders (YHRDs) in the Philippines,” report said, “young activists aged 18 to 24 shared experiences of being red-tagged, doxed with personal information published online without their consent, and trolled.” They describe how online harassment has led to self-censorship, infringed their rights to freedom of expression and association, and in some cases, forced them to abandon their work as activists or journalists.
According to Mia Tonogbanua, Amnesty Philippines Vice-Chairperson and former Youth Board Representative, “The chilling effect of online harassment severely impairs the rights of these young human rights defenders. It not only threatens the individual, but also undermines their capacity to do their work to defend human rights.”
“Left to their own devices: The chilling effects of online harassment among young human rights defenders (YHRDs) in the Philippines,” report highlights how young activists’ age, sexual orientation, student status and institutional affiliations magnify the risks and impact of online harassment that they experience.
This current research is part of RightUp, AI’s first youth-led research project in which young voices, often overlooked in traditional human rights work, take center stage.
Nine young researchers documented and investigated the experiences of YHRDs through desk research, an online questionnaire, and interviews with young people aged 18 to 24. Amnesty International provided resources, guidance, and technical support.
The report further said that State-sponsored online harassment has had disturbing effects on young activists. They describe suffering psychological distress, being isolated from families and social circles and feeling that their contribution to human rights work was devalued.
Tonogbanua citing ther experience of (Habagat), a student activist, who received death threats after being publicly red-tagged on the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) Facebook page. “I couldn’t sleep properly for three weeks after it happened,” he recalled. “I was constantly afraid for my safety.”
NTF-ELCAC established by Philippine government in 2018 as part of government’s response to the ongoing communist insurgency in the country. It has been criticized though by activists and human rights groups, including AI, for allegedly red-tagging activists including social critics.
AI also cited the experience of environmental defender (Marisol) who had resorted to “playing it safe” and self-censorship to minimize backlash over controversial issues. However, this approach has left her conflicted: “It’s like you’re not taking a stand on what needs to be done.”
While (Sarita), a young advocate for peace and security in southern Philippines, told AI that online harassment “made me feel so weak, so inferior compared to these politicians with all the powers that they have.”
AI believes online harassment affects various rights, including the right to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, health, remedy, non-discrimination and the right to defend human rights.
Young activists also spoke of a pervasive fear of participating in public discussions. Some of the YHRDs attributed this to concerns about reprisals from the authorities in the form of online harassment. Many expressed doubts about the value of their voices and expertise as young people in the face of violence and hatred in online spaces,, it added.
Despite these challenges, YHRDs have found ways to adapt their approach to ensure they can continue their human rights advocacy. These include establishing internal well-being committees, enforcing safety protocols, and accessing mental health services, AI said. “Being a young human rights defender in the Philippines is not safe, comfortable, or ideal. Yet…young activists continue to fight, spurred onwards by strategies for care and commitment to justice,” Tonogbanua added.
The AI blamed the Philippine government for “consistently fail(ing) to fulfill its obligations to protect the rights of human rights defenders in the country. Perpetrators of online harassment are not effectively held accountable, while YHRDs must cope with the consequences of this harassment without sufficient support or protection.”
The Philippine government, which had not commented on the findings of AI’s report, is being urged “to end state-sponsored red-tagging, intimidation, harassment, threats or attacks against activists, including young human rights defenders.
