The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the oldest human rights lawyers’ network in the Philippines, has launched its commemorative book “FLAG: Frontliners for Human Rights at Fifty.”
The book chronicles FLAG’s involvement in over 9,000 cases, including desaparecidos during martial law, challenges against the death penalty, petitions for the Writ of Amparo, and opposition to the anti-terrorism law, among others.
FLAG interim national chairperson lawyer Theodore Te described the publication as “both tribute and summons,” honoring the courage of lawyers and volunteers while issuing a clear call to action for the next generation.
“It has always been our view that the law to be meaningful must remain an instrument of justice and that has been what the last 50 years have been about… This book, therefore, is both a record and a reminder; a record of the much that has been done and a reminder of the much more that remains to be done,” Te said.
The book was launched at the University of the Philippines College of Law’s Malcolm Theater on October 10.
The highly anticipated event was attended by legal luminaries, as well as partners from civil society and academia, alongside FLAG’s former clients.
