Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has become part of a team of international counsels who are working closely with journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s local team. Clooney will be working with her co-barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC who also specializes in human rights and international law. Together, they will lead the team in defending Ressa and working on Rappler’s cases.
I am delighted to be leading this superb international legal team with @DoughtyStIntl colleague Amal Clooney, acting for @mariaressa. We will be working with Can Yesingu @KatieLOByrne @CovingtonLLP, & coordinating closely with domestic counsel in Manila. #journalismisnotacrime https://t.co/Kc7bf9eLCe
— Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC (@caoilfhionnanna) July 8, 2019
“Maria Ressa is a courageous journalist who is being persecuted for reporting the news and standing up to human rights abuses,” Clooney said, as reported by CNN. The lawyer continued that their team will “pursue all available legal remedies” to instill Ressa’s rights and defend press freedom in the Philippines.
Photo of Amal Clooney from Shannon Stapleton/REUTERS
According to Rappler, Ressa currently faces nine cases in Philippine court. However, together with Rappler staff, there have been about 11 total complaints and investigations which started after President Rodrigo Duterte called out the news site in his 2017 State of the Nation Address.
Clooney previously represented Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who were imprisoned in Myanmar after reporting about the massacre of Rohingya civilians. The journalists were released in May.
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