The APHRN is a national network of Filipino-Australians who advocate for human rights and peace in the Philippines, Australia, and other parts of the world. It was established in 2016 to advocate against the return of dictatorship in the Philippines after the assumption into office of Rodrigo Duterte whose War on Drugs led to extra-judicial killings (EJK) of 12,000 + people (ICC, 2021).
In 2017, the APHRN lobbied then Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop to apply genuine pressure on then President Rodrigo Duterte to halt his country’s systematic program of EJKs, but this was not heeded. Through Australian Greens Senator Janet Rice, the APHRN was able to raise a question at the Senate Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs regarding Australia’s $20 million rehab fund for Marawi City and ADF training of Philippine National Police and Philippine Military personnel.
In 2018, APHRN brought Tao Po production (a monologue performance on stories of Extra Judicial Killing victims) to Australia to raise awareness amongst Filipino-Australians on human rights violations in the Philippines.
In 2021, APHRN through its state convenors, participated in the organising of campaign rallies in Australia in support of the progressive candidates of the Philippine’s political opposition parties. For the first time, Filipino-Australian youth participated in campaign rallies in Australia pinning their hope on Leni Robredo, who embodied the integrity, leadership and dignity they see lacking in most Filipino politicians.
After the disastrous outcome of the Philippine elections in May 2022, APHRN informed the Australian PM Anthony Albanese that thePhilippine Elections did not meet the standard of a “free and fair” election. APHRN asked Mr. Albanese to fulfill his government’s promise that “Australia takes all allegations of human rights abuses seriously” and that “Human rights are a core part of our relationship and engagement with the Philippines.”