De Lima hailed as most distinguished Filipino rights defender

MANILA — Rights watchdog Amnesty International Philippines named Sen. Leila de Lima as the most distinguished individual human rights defender.

The detained senator bested fellow Sen. Risa Hontiveros, LGBTIQ and rights advocate Ryan Silverio, PhilRights Executive Director Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan and DAKILA Executive Director Leni Velasco for the individual category.

De Lima considered the recognition as a vindication from what she called "politically-motivated trumped-up charges" filed by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"It is with great honor to receive this latest accolade as recognition for my unwavering stance on human rights despite my continued unjust detention and political persecution," the former Commission on Human Rights chairperson said.

De Lima, accused of protecting and coddling drug traders inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as Justice secretary, is currently detained in Camp Crame.

A Muntinlupa court on Monday denied her plea to be allowed to attend the graduation rites of her youngest son.

De Lima has been also recognized as one of the world's greatest leaders by Fortune Magazine, one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine, one of the leading Global Thinkers in 2016 and 2017 by Foreign Policy Magazine and one of the Southeast Asia's Women to Watch by the Diplomat Magazine.

In 2017, she was recognized by AI as one of the notable women human rights defenders.

Aside from de Lima, DAKILA was recognized as the most distinguished human rights defender for organization. Floyd Scott Tiogangco and Christia Angela Roque were the recipients of Outstanding Young Human Rights Defender and Art that Matters for Film, respectively.

AI Philippines on Monday announced the awardees of the first-ever Ignite Awards for Human Rights– which recognizes the awardees' impact in changing peoples' lives through policy advocacy, mobilization and activism.