By NATIONAL, June 14, 2024 – The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) was awarded the Ebru Timtik Award in Manila on June 14, 2024. The Ebru Timtik Award is named after a Turkish lawyer who died during a hunger strike in August 2020 while demanding fair trials in Turkey.
Most of the Ebru Timtik Selection Committees voted for NUPL to receive the award due to its sustained advocacy for fair trials in the Philippines, despite challenges such as red-tagging, death threats, and state attacks. NUPL successfully upheld the people’s rights through action and utilization of the Philippine Constitution.
The Selection Committee also recognized NUPL members for providing quality legal services to political dissenters, political detainees, and marginalized communities without seeking reward. In their statement, NUPL expressed gratitude for being chosen for the Ebru Timtik Award and appreciated the Committee’s recognition of their credibility as activist lawyers genuinely serving the people.
“We dedicate this Award equally to the sons and daughters of our fallen comrades-in-law and those who have gone with their boots on and passed on the baton to us to finish the journey. No matter the manner of death, they are all heroes in our hearts. Ultimately, we share this Award to our clients, our brave clients who deserve brave lawyers, as well as future clients, as the case will be. It is after all, the social movement that makes people’s lawyering an imperative,” said NUPL.
NUPL reaffirmed their commitment not to falter in their support for the poor, oppressed, and exploited in society, both locally and globally. They also renew their commitment to continue battling injustice relentlessly, even at the risk of great adversity./PT
