The International Barrister Joins A Legal Team To Work With Maria Ressa
AMAL CLOONEY – The Lebanese-British barrister from the Doughty Street Chambers joins a legal team to work on Maria Ressa’s cases.
The Filipino-American journalist and author, popularly known as new outlet Rappler’s CEO, Maria Ressa has been facing several cases as the News company have published critical reports about the administration.
Ressa appeared recently in pop star Madonna’s new music video – “I Rise” together with protesters from the Philippines and around the world.
In her stand to pursue press freedom, she was arrested one time back in February for alleged cyber libel. She also faced a security fraud case filed against her back in March.
Counting since 2018, the veteran Filipino-American journalist and the News Source Company’s staff have faced a total of 11 charges.
Came to Ressa’s defense, Amal Clooney – Human rights lawyer collaborated with a team of international experts to work on the local group of journalists from the country and Maria Ressa herself on the cases she and her team are facing.
Alongside Clooney was her fellow barrister from Doughty Street Chambers. Clooney and her colleague Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC – who both specialize in international laws and laws concerning human rights – are set to lead an international legal team.
Doughty Street Chambers revealed on Monday, some other names included in the team were: Can Yeginsu, Katherine O’Byrne, and Daniel Feldman (former US Ambassador) from law firm Covington & Burling LLP.
Clooney also expressed her appreciation towards Maria Ressa’s firm stance in her statement:
“Maria Ressa is a courageous journalist who is being persecuted for reporting the news and standing up to human rights abuses.”
This is according to an article from CNN.
She also claimed that the team would on the case to defend press freedom. She said:
“We will pursue all available legal remedies to vindicate her rights and defend press freedom and the rule of law in the Philippines.”
That is all there is to it, at least for now. We’ll post updates as soon as we got them.
