“Red tagging” and Harassment of Activists and HR Defenders

“Activists not Terrorists: The controversy of Red Tagging”

In recent years, Red tagging has become a more serious issue than it was before. It’s
becoming a more serious issue in the Philippines as authorities are using it as a form
of intimidation on Indigenous leaders and activists opposed to government backed
projects in the Philippines. Some people may not know what the issue is about and
why it is happening. Our infographic aims to answer those questions and to make
people more conscious of the issue.

In the Philippines, Red tagging refers to the malicious blacklisting of people or groups
that are critical of or do not fully support the policies of the current government
administration. Regardless of their actual political views or affiliations, these people
and organizations are “tagged” as either communists or terrorists, or both. Red
tagging is a form of incitement and has harmful effects on its targets. It may be
carried out by security forces, public servants, or shills.

The root of red tagging did not come from the Philippines but from America, where
the term “red scare” is sometimes used. The very first red scare occurred after the
Bolshevik victory in 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union. The US saw the
new powerful communist state as a threat to American capitalism.

It is important to spread awareness about red tagging because it violates basic human
rights and can have severe consequences for those who are labeled. Red tagging can
lead to arbitrary arrests, torture, and even extrajudicial killings. It is a tactic used to
silence critics and suppress free speech, and it undermines democracy and the rule of
law. To spread awareness about red tagging you can do the following: Share
information on social media, Attend and organize events, and support organizations.