Groups back Maria Ressa’s Oslo travel

MANILA, Philippines — Several groups have expressed support for Maria Ressa’s motion to travel to Oslo, Norway to personally accept her Nobel Peace Prize on Dec. 10.

The organizations, including the human rights group Karapatan, urged the Court of Appeals (CA) to grant Ressa’s motion.

“This historic occasion, whereby a Filipino will be honored to receive the most prestigious international award, cannot be understated,” the Movement Against Discrimination said in a statement. “Between 1901 and 2021, only 109 individuals have been conferred with this award. This brings honor and recognition not only to Ressa but to the entire Philippines and all journalists whom she represents through this award. Her presence in the ceremony is symbolic, urgent and necessary.”

The groups said Ressa’s conviction for cyber libel in 2020 remains under appeal, and until the same has been decided with finality, she is presumed innocent.

Calling Ressa a “flight risk,” Solicitor General Jose Calida has filed an opposition before the CA seeking to bar the Rappler CEO from attending the Nobel ceremony.

She was allowd in the past to leave the country on bail.