A group asked the United Nations to stop Beijing from harassing them as they cast their nets around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which the Chinese Coast Guard annexed in 2012, their lawyer said on Thursday. which has controlled the shoal since a brief 2012 stand-off with the Philippines, is violating their rights to food and livelihood by driving them away, lawyer Harry Roque told Agence France-Presse. Signed by 30 fishermen, the petition was sent via email to the UN Hign Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN organizations in Geneva on Wednesday, he said.

Displaced fishermen seek UN assistance. (2015, June 26). The Manila Times, pp. A1, A8.