International human rights lawyer, Amal Alamuddin Clooney has brought the plight of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Alamuddin is the wife of Hollywood superstar George Clooney. Arroyo’s lawyer confirmed the UN council will hear the plight of the former Philippines president through the assistance of Amal Clooney.
The case has been filed through the UN working Group on Arbitrary Detention which was supposedly prepared and written by Alamuddin-Clooney herself.
Alamuddin-Clooney said the Philippines government has violated several provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. She is demanding the UN intervene on the matter immediately, and release Arroyo who is detained under charges of plunder over the alleged misuse of the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes money.
International legal experts say that Arroyo must be temporarily released from prison to receive medical treatment abroad. Arroyo has been under hospital arrest after a bone mineral disorder was discovered once she was detained.
Clooney has personally cited Articles #9 – #14 – #19 and #25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. She also wants a full investigation into the circumstances in which criminal proceedings were brought against the former president.
Clooney is also saying that those who illegally incarcerated Arroyo should be slammed with appropriate measures. She has also noted that she is seeking a public apology for the violation of Arroyo’s rights – saying in fact that adequate compensation should be afforded to the former president.
But wait, it doesn’t end there – she also wants Arroyo to have unrestricted access to communications via cellphone, internet and computer. She is also asking the UN to press the Philippines to reform its laws on “non-bailable” offenses.
The legal team of Alamuddin-Clooney are pursuing “urgent action procedure” after her motion for bail was ignored for over 10 months – a pure violation of the duty for prompt decisions by her view.