On 14 June 2024, around 300 legal professionals, bar association representatives, academics, criminal justice experts, human rights advocates and journalists from around the world gathered online and in person in Manila, the Philippines to participate in the 2024 International Fair Trial Day and Ebru Timtik Award at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Each year, the IFTD highlights the barriers to a fair trial in a specific country, with a focus on solutions. In 2024, the Philippines was chosen due to persistent reports of serious and widespread fair trial rights violations. Grave flaws in the justice system prevail, including a failure to observe due process guarantees, a lack of independence of the judiciary and corruption. Against this background, lawyers, judges, prosecutors, journalists and human rights defenders face a range of risks including threats, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and enforced disappearance. Some have even been killed. A climate of impunity, notably with ineffective and delayed investigations, ensures there is a lack of accountability for these violations.
On IFTD, the Ebru Timtik Award is granted to individuals or organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment and sacrifice in upholding fundamental values related to the right to a fair trial. In 2024, the Ebru Timtik Award was awarded to the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, in the Philippines, for its outstanding legal services and advocacy in defence of access to justice and fair trial rights for all in the Philippines. The full programme and recording of the conference are available to view online.
This report summarises the key issues raised by panellists during the 2024 IFTD conference. They are presented under core themes that emerged during the discussions. The insights shared in this document reflect the personal opinions of the panellists based on their individual knowledge and experience. It is important to note that the perspectives of each speaker may not necessarily align with the official views of the endorsing institutions or other panellists. Information presented in this report is current as of 14 June 2024. Since that date, some relevant events may have transpired that are not accounted for in the report. These subsequent developments may impact the context and understanding of some of the subject matter.
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