“We appeal to the Commission of Human Rights to help us remind the government to honor the rights of Cumpio under the Mandela Rules and other human rights related to her being a political detainee.”
Under Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, hors de combat (incapacitated combatants/out of fight) either through sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall be treated humanely.
Khan noted the order replacing the recently concluded “United Nations Joint Programme on technical cooperation and capacity-building for the promotion and protection of Human Rights in the Philippines” (UNJP) downgrades the role of CSOs, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the UN instead of encouraging full participation.
The fact-finding team on the disappearance of a labor organizer said that there are eyewitness reports that the Philippine military is involved.
“Given the example set by the late CHR Chair Chito Gascon, Atty. Palpal-latoc has big shoes to fill. But we hope to see the same exacting standards of integrity, independence, probity, steadfastness as well as openness and support for victims of human rights violations that are demanded of him and the entire commission especially amid a pervasive climate of impunity.”
“The country lost a dedicated public servant who never cowered in fear in asserting people’s rights and civil liberties despite every curse and insult of a tyrannical president since 2016.”
“This only proves that the ‘nanlaban’ narrative of the police is a lie.”
This Women’s Month, rights group Karapatan called on the Commission on Human Rights to look into the case of pregnant Elizabeth Estilon, and Enriqueta Guelas, 62, who were arrested on Dec. 24, 2020 following a raid in barangay Lalod, Bulusan, Sorsogon and charged with violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
“Rights are not won through silence, through fence sitting and inaction. Rights are won and claimed through difficult, arduous, beautiful, creative and vibrant struggle.”
Clamor said the attempts to discredit human rights defenders and progressive organisations aim to prevent them from pursuing justice for the victims of rights violations.
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective What is the impact of practically dissolving or immobilizing the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) when the House of Representatives gave it a preposterously meager budget of P1, 000? What are the implications of moving for the impeachment of another Supreme Court Chief Justice, this time around it’s Chief Justice…