In 2005, Philippines Australia Solidarity Association (PASA),  an organisation of Australians and Filipino volunteers, lobbied various Parliamentary Ministers and Senators to address the escalating human rights violations in the Philippines. PASA, together with other organisations such as Filipino migrant organisations and supporters around Australia continued to raise the issue of human rights to the Australian government. This was reinforced by various peaceful protests and vigils.wrote to PASA in 2006 advising PASA that the human rights situation in the Philippines was being monitored and that they have raised the issue to the Philippine government.

The then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer,