MANILA, Philippines — United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan warned the UN Human Rights Council that freedom of expression faces growing threats worldwide as governments increasingly use laws, digital restrictions and emerging technologies to suppress dissent, citing the Philippines as an example in her final report submitted Wednesday.
Khan, who is concluding her term as UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, said some governments have intensified the use of national security, counterterrorism and related laws to prosecute individuals for the legitimate exercise of free expression.
In her 18-page report, Khan cited the Philippines, noting that terrorism financing laws have been used against journalists and human rights defenders. She referred to a case involving a journalist who spent five years in detention before receiving what she described as a severe sentence based on questionable evidence.
The report referenced the case of Tacloban-based journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights advocate Marielle Domequil, who were arrested in February 2020. A court convicted them in January of financing terrorism and sentenced them to 12 to 18 years in prison. Both remain in detention while appealing their convictions after a court denied their petition for bail.
During her official visit to the Philippines in 2024, Khan met with Cumpio, Domequil and detained human rights advocate Alexander Philip Abinguna at the Tacloban City Jail.
In a separate report issued in 2025, Khan said the cases highlighted the effects of red-tagging and limitations in legal remedies available to those accused. She noted that the three individuals had been involved in community journalism, environmental reporting and humanitarian work before authorities accused them of links to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.
Khan also warned that governments and private technology companies are increasingly restricting freedom of expression through the misuse of digital platforms and artificial intelligence.
In a statement accompanying her final report, she said freedom of expression is shrinking as governments use emerging technologies to suppress dissent and digital platforms manipulate information online.
She said artificial intelligence has contributed to the spread of misinformation, hate speech and online harassment. Khan cited findings from Canada’s rapid response mechanism, which identified AI chatbots that amplified leaked personal information involving journalists targeted in an operation linked to Iran.
During a press conference on Thursday, Khan urged governments to build coalitions with civil society and other stakeholders to address threats to free expression. She also called for stronger independent regulatory institutions rooted in international human rights standards.
Khan said governments should adopt regulations that protect rights while ensuring oversight bodies remain free from political influence. She also called for efforts to reduce the dominance of large technology companies and support independent and diverse media organizations.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) welcomed Khan’s report and her references to the cases involving Cumpio and Domequil.
In a statement issued Saturday, the NUJP said anti-terrorism laws have been used against journalists and human rights defenders and called for a review of their impact on freedom of expression.
The media group also agreed with Khan’s concerns about cooperation between governments and technology platforms in limiting speech and spreading harmful content online.
The NUJP urged the Philippine government to implement recommendations Khan made following her 2024 visit, including the decriminalization of libel, passage of a freedom of information law, adoption of a policy against red-tagging and a review of anti-terrorism laws.
