On this day of the first session of the newly-formed United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) we, members of the Philippine human rights community, human rights defenders and progressives, converge today in front of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to present the real human rights situation in the country.
We cast doubt to the Philippines’ pledges to the UNHRC thus we demand that the government of Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo take concrete steps in fulfilling the said pledges otherwise its nothing more than a stunt to impress the international community.
The Philippines pledged to “continue to be sensitive to current and emerging human rights challenges...” yet amidst numerous victims of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, the GMA government has not brought to justice even a single perpetrator. Up ‘til now it has not done anything to break impunity.
It stated that the Philippines intends to continue its “pioneering efforts in instilling a human rights-based approach in the realization of the UN Millennium Development Goals, the right to development and economic, social and cultural rights...” Unfortunately, this very government has an utter disregard to people’s just discontent and any sign of legitimate dissent is quelled in an instant, as demonstrated by the now declared unconstitutional Calibrated Pre-emptive Response and Presidential Proclamation 1017.
It stated that it will “improve access to justice of the poor and other vulnerable sectors of society”. But sadly, with regards to the Subic Rape Case that involved four US marines, it is the Department of Justice (DOJ) itself who wants to absolve the said suspects.
Of all the pledges, there is only one that we are sure that the government is very much committed to, and that is the Philippines’ pledge to “campaign for the passing in Congress of an Anti-Terrorism Law which shall put in place measures to combat international terrorism in the perspective of respect for and protection of human rights”. Actually it has a very high commitment to its campaign against terrorism that activists, leaders and members of the people’s organizations perceived to be leftist were killed on the average of three to four per week-such a perspective of respect for and protection of human rights!
We are doubtful of the Philippine governments’ commitments to the UNHRC and this is all the more strengthened by Ms. Arroyo’s latest pronouncement of her militarist solution to crush communist insurgency in two years, echoing Major General Jovito Palparan Jr.’s crusade to annihilate all dissent-the military officer suspected of perpetrating Extra-Judicial Killings.
We call on the people to assert their human rights with full determination and courage. We shall monitor government implementation of its pledges. We shall demand state accountability.
Documents:
Challenge to the Philippines as Member of the UNHRC
Letter to DFA
Cases of Human Rights violations under GMA: 2004 to 2006