Parliamentary sponsorship for Philippine human rights defender Jazmin “Minet” Jerusalem

Originally published on Gökay Akbulut - Mitglied des deutschen Bundestags

As part of the German Bundestag programme “Parliamentarians Protect Parliamentarians”, I have applied to sponsor Philippine human rights defender Jazmin “Minet” Jerusalem. Jazmin Jerusalem is the Executive Director of the Leyte Center for Development and Empowerment. For decades, the organisation has supported poor, marginalised and disaster-affected communities on the islands of Leyte and Samar. It provides humanitarian relief, strengthens local structures and works for social justice, climate justice and community-based disaster preparedness.

It is precisely this work that has become a target of state repression. Jazmin Jerusalem was publicly labelled a terrorist and charged with alleged terrorism financing. In April 2024, the Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council ordered the freezing of the organisation’s bank accounts, as well as personal accounts belonging to Jerusalem, staff members, relatives and local suppliers. These measures severely restricted the organisation’s humanitarian work.

Charges dismissed by the courts

On 27 February 2026, the Regional Trial Court in Tacloban dismissed the terrorism-financing charges against Jazmin Jerusalem. On 15 April, the court upheld its decision. The court found that statements by prosecution witnesses could not serve as the sole basis for the charges without further corroborating evidence. It also found that, at the time of the alleged offences, there had been no legally valid national designation of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army as a terrorist organisation. Under Philippine law, a foreign or supranational designation cannot be enforced without official publication.

On 20 February 2026, a court in Manila had already ruled that the freezing and civil forfeiture of the assets should be lifted. It found that there were insufficient grounds to continue the measures. Despite these decisions, Jazmin Jerusalem still has no access to her accounts. The banks have so far refused to release the funds. At the same time, the civil forfeiture proceedings are continuing. Following a pre-trial hearing on 19 June 2026, another hearing was scheduled for 30 July to allow the defence to submit further evidence.

Red-tagging as a tool of state repression

Jazmin Jerusalem’s case is not an isolated one. In the Philippines, human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists, Indigenous activists and progressive organisations are repeatedly labelled as communists or terrorists. This practice, known as red-tagging, is a tool of political intimidation. Public accusations are often followed by surveillance, threats, frozen bank accounts or criminal proceedings. Anti-terrorism laws are used to silence critical voices and place social movements under financial and organisational pressure.

Organisations working against poverty, social inequality, exploitative working conditions, land grabbing or environmental destruction are particularly affected. Instead of addressing the causes of social conflict, the state criminalises those who support and organise affected communities. Through this sponsorship, I want to help bring international attention to Jazmin Jerusalem’s case. Her accounts must be released immediately and the civil forfeiture proceedings must be terminated. Her safety, as well as that of her colleagues and family members, must be guaranteed.

The German government and the European Union also have a responsibility. Human rights must not be subordinated to economic, geopolitical or security interests. They must clearly call on the Philippine government to end red-tagging and protect civil society.

Supporting poor and disaster-affected communities must not be criminalised. Humanitarian aid is not terrorism. Human rights defenders need protection and international solidarity.