Kapihan on Human Rights Situation in the Philippines
The Philippine Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights
Mechanism (PWG) and the Philippine Commission on Human
Rights (CHR) sponsored a forum on the human rights situation
in the country. The Kapihan on the Human Rights Situation
Today was held at Balay Kalinaw in the University of the
Philippines on December 8, 2003.
Representatives from civil society and government made
their respective presentations on the current situation
of human rights in the Philippines, which was followed
by an Open Forum. The discussion was moderated by former
CHR Chair Mercy Contreras-Dannenberg.
In his Welcome Remarks, Mr. Wigberto Tañada, Chairperson
of PWG, asserted that unity, development, and peace will
not be achieved until due respect and protection are given
to the human rights of the people. He also pointed out
the importance of the people’s confidence and trust
in the state as it protects and upholds its citizens’
human rights.
The Keynote Speech of Hon. Purificacion C. Valera Quisumbing,
Chairperson of CHR, focused on how the role of the Commission
can be strengthened by the policies formulated by the
government.
Max de Mesa of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
provided the participants with how the civil society views
the country’s human rights situation. He explained
how the three branches of government play a pivotal role
in advancing the advocacy. “It seems that
there is ignorance and ignoring of human rights,”
he said. He ended his presentation with a hopeful note
that upgraded partnerships and an improved system in report-making
and transmittal of violations may improve existing human
rights conditions.
Prof. Sedrey Ordoñez, former Secretary of the
Department of Justice (DOJ), CHR Chairperson, and Ambassador
to the United Nations, graced the activity and identified
the recent developments in the advocacy. He also affirmed
the possibility of establishing a regional mechanism
on human rights while keeping in mind the varying
situations in different ASEAN states.
Atty. Byron Bocar of the Office of Rep. Etta Rosales
detailed the House Committee on Human Rights’ efforts
in ensuring that bills to promote and protect the human
rights of the people are passed in the Lower House. He
discussed the studies on putting up a Truth and
Justice Commission and explained that its results
may yield recommendations that can be incorporated in
the bill.
CHR’s report on the human rights situation was
delivered by Commissioner Quintin Cueto III. DOJ Undersecretary
and concurrent Head of the Presidential Human Rights Committee
Merceditas Gutierrez discussed the report of the Philippine
Government to the Committee on Human Rights on its compliance
with the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights.
The Kapihan was synthesized by Mr. Carlos Medina, Jr.,
Secretary General of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human
Rights Mechanism. He explained how the context of human
rights situation is largely affected by the political
condition, situation of war, globalization, and poverty.
The urgent need to address human rights violations and
impunity and strengthen the existing mechanisms on human
rights were the key points raised in the forum.
