UNP - Student Handbook Development/ Human Rights & Drug Education

On November 2, we officially started the 30 days countdown for the Human Rights Week.

Series of fun-filled activities and learning opportunities prepared for all. Keep posted for more details!

"Democracy is not just the right to vote; it is the right to live in dignity."
— Naomi Klein

[READ] Statement of Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana on the findings of the Commission on Human Rights report on drug-related extrajudicial killings in the country

In aid of seeking truth and accountability behind deaths allegedly linked to the government's anti-drug campaign, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) offers its findings based on an earlier analysis of incidents of killings and violence documented since the said campaign started in 2016 until February 2020.

The report covers 579 incidents found in NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A. While killings span across administrative regions, these areas have registered the highest numbers of killings allegedly linked to the government's anti-drug campaign. At the same time, the status and content of the investigation records and reports available to CHR, as well as the recurring obstacles in accessing police records pertaining to cases in question, impacted the extent of the study.

CHR's report, nevertheless, was able to observe the widespread nature of killings. From the sample 579 cases, 870 were recorded as victims, at least 71 of whom are women, and at least 24 were minors. Four hundred fifty one (451) incidents of killings were allegedly attributed to police operations; 104 were said to be committed by unidentified perpetrators; while 24 incidents have no sufficient information as to the circumstances.

The 451 cases of killings allegedly linked to police operations tallied 705 victims and, out of this number, the police claims 466 individuals initiated aggression or resisted arrest or the so-called 'nanlaban' cases. However, despite police protocols prescribing necessary and reasonable force in subduing resistance by an aggressor, only two (2) percent or 11 individuals survived the alleged 'nanlaban' incidents.

Records of at least 87 victims contained information on the wounds or injuries found—mostly multiple gunshot wounds on different parts of the body, usually the head, chest, trunk, and abdomen. Blunt force and injury and lacerations were also found on some of the victims.

Notably, the Supreme Court, in decision on the plea of the self-defense of law enforcement (Ocampo v. People of the Philippines), ruled that the location of a deceased aggressor's gunshot wounds may suggest an intent to kill and not just to defend oneself.

It was also observed that, for investigation reports secured by CHR from the police, 77 out of 90 reports complete with results of internal investigation findings contained recommendations that police operatives involved in the said incidents are either to be awarded, rewarded, or recognised. Some reports, while no mention of commendation, upheld legitimacy of operations and, in few reports, recommended that participating operatives be absolved from criminal or administrative liability.

There are also other patterns of discrepancies based on eyewitness accounts during drug operations by law enforcers, including: that the alleged operations might have not actually been conducted; that alleged 'nanlaban' victims could not have initiated a shootout; that some victims were said to be already under police custody when they were killed; that allegedly unjustified violence was prevalent in the conduct of said operations; that planting of evidence was observed by witnesses in some incidents; and that some victims killed might not have been the intended target of the operations.

With these findings, CHR continues to reaffirm its willingness to partner with the government in uncovering the truth behind these incidents of killings and other forms of violence allegedly linked to the government anti-drug campaign.
We continue to look forward to the realisation of the commitment of the government, through the Department of Justice (DOJ) in June 2020 before the Human Rights Council, that CHR, in our capacity as an independent monitoring body, will be involved in the review panel of some 5,655 cases of anti-drug operations where deaths occurred, including those being handled by the Administrative Order No. 35 Inter-agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture, and Other Grave Violations to Life, Liberty and Security of Persons.

CHR stresses that speedy, impartial, and transparent investigations are crucial in delivering justice; thereby, addressing the observed 'persistent impunity and formidable barriers to accessing justice' flagged by the UN Human Rights Office to the Philippine Government.

Part of CHR's report includes recommendations to the government to adopt the UN Minnesota Protocol in investigating potentially unlawful deaths in a prompt, effective and thorough, independent, impartial, and transparent manner. As such, the consequences of EO No. 02, s.2016 should also be revisited in view of the State's obligation to investigate and hold every perpetrator to account.

We also appeal to Congress to enact a bill that defines and punishes extrajudicial killings based on international human rights laws and standards, and for the Supreme Court to develop a body of jurisprudence, adhering to the principle of stare decisis and the Bill of Rights found in the 1987 Constitution, to prevent courts from flip-flopping in their decisions toward the protection of their integrity and independence.

CHR welcomes the information table released by DOJ on the 52 cases currently under investigation. We hope that government uses this opportunity to finally bring cases to courts. With thousands of cases left to be scrutinised, we urge the government to do more in investigating deaths being linked to the so-called drug war. There is a clamour for justice waiting to be answered. # # # https://bit.ly/3mBkP6A

"It is important to remember that inmates have given up only one right, and that is their right to freedom of movement. All their other rights, including their fundamental and human rights, remain." — Kanwaljit Deol

"The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in democratic society, and we must use it." — Marian Wright

29 days until the start of the 2021 Human Rights Week Celebration! Cheers to Human Rights!

Pregnancy is not put on pause in the COVID-19 pandemic, and neither are fundamental human rights. All women have the right to a safe and positive pregnancy and childbirth experience, with high-quality, respectful maternity care.

ANO ANG PINAGKAIBA NG DUTY BEARERS AT RIGHTS HOLDERS?

DUTY BEARERS:

Ito ay ang estado o gobyerno kabilang ang mga opisyales at mga kawani na nanumpa sa tungkulin. Sila ay may obligasyon na respetuhin, itaguyod, at protektahan ang mga karapatang pantao ng lahat ng mamamayan lalo na ang mga mahihina at nasa laylayan ng lipunan.
Bilang mga nanunungkulan, may mga pamantayan at etika sa serbisyo-publiko na dapat ipamalas at sundin ang mga opisyales at kawani ng gobyerno. Inaasahan na gagawin nila ang kanilang tungkulin ng buong katapatan, paninidigan, at integridad. Kasama din sa kanilang tungkulin ang tumanggap, tumugon, at/o umaksyon sa mga hinaing, puna, at reklamo mula sa mga tao na kanilang pinaglilingkuran.

RIGHTS HOLDERS:

Ito ang lahat ng mamamayan, anuman ang edad, lahi, kasarian, relihiyon, at/o estado sa buhay. Lahat ng tao ay mga mga batayang karapatan na dapat itinataguyod, nirerespeto, at pinapahalagahan ng gobyerno para lahat ay makapamuhay ng may kalidad at dignidad.
Bilang mga mamamayan, sila ay may karapatan at obligasyon para magpahayag ng kanilang pangangailangan, hinaing, at puna sa gobyerno at mga opisyales sa paraang responsable at naaayon sa batas. Bahagi ito ng demokratikong kalayaan na makakatulong para mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating lipunan at maiangat ang mga mahihina at nasa laylayan ng lipunan.

Surely, you’ll pick the best “ramos”!

If you’re one of the many who troop to the Catholic churches for the observance of Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday), you’ll agree that you always try to choose the most beautiful bundle of palms to bring to this rite that marks the beginning of the Holy Week.

But in your usual rush to the church, have you had time to pay attention to the artisans behind those piles or mounds of palm leaf art? Or have you even realized that theirs are works of art?

In celebration of Women’s Month, your will hold “Laga, Tunos, ken Pammati” (“Weave, Harmony, and Faith”)”, a buri weavers’ story-sharing and demonstration, this coming Monday, March 22, at the NMP Ilocos Regional Museum in Vigan, from 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Aimed at honoring and promoting appreciation especially of the women behind the traditional art of palm crafting, the activity will be graced by expert palm weavers Ms. Maria Theresa Vitamog and Ms. Juliana Agcaoili of the buri craft town of San Juan in Ilocos Sur. It will also feature a recorded talk by scholar Mr. Elmer Nocheseda, who studies the Philippine tradition of palm leaf art. Palm craft demonstrations by the expert weavers, try-outs by a limited audience, and an instructional video on palm crafting are included in this one-day event.

A collaboration among the NMP Ilocos Regional Museum, Ethnology Division and Gender and Development Focal Point System, “Laga, Tunos, ken Pammati” is envisioned to provide the museum audience a good glimpse of the Iloko and Filipino cultural contexts of the Philippine tradition of palm crafting.

So, mark your calendar!

Come Monday, barring technical difficulties, we will be posting Mr. Nocheseda’s talk and the video on palm crafting on the NM Ilocos Regional Museum Complex FB page for you to enjoy. On the other hand, the non-live streaming of the on-site weavers’ story-sharing and demonstration will be made around Palm Sunday.







Poster by L. C. Masuli II / NM Ilocos Regional Museum

© National Museum of the Philippines (2021)

Violence against women and girls has been a pandemic for decades. But it's NOT inevitable, if we come together and take action as one.

In looking into these cases, the CHR asserts its independent, impartial position in investigating human rights violations, including those committed in the context of armed conflicts.
Read statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, urging State and non-State parties to respect international humanitarian law: http://bit.ly/3icIVAC

UN body, NGO launch digital training modules on gender, dev't MANILA — The United Nations Population Fund in the Philippines (UNFPA) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have introduced digital training modules on "Gender and Development" to support the capacity building of the government and non-government organizations to...

https://fb.me/e/1M0S8T0Zo

Let us help them fulfill their rights❤

It’s possible if we all pitch in. Support child immunization today

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REGION-I ADVISORY
CHR-RO1-LD-2020-04

“ADVISORY AGAINST ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION UPON HEALTHCARE WORKERS, REPATRIATED OFWS and NON-OFWs, COVID-19 CASES WHETHER CONFIRMED, RECOVERED OR UNDERGOING TREATMENT, AS WELL AS SUSPECT AND PROBABLE CASES, AND PERSONS UNDER MONITORING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC”

A concerned family reported to this Office the discrimination they have experienced when some of their family members were tested to be positive of COVID-19. Accordingly, they were allowed to undergo a strict home quarantine at first since their symptoms are not that severe but due to unfounded reports that they are violating IATF Protocols, they were immediately transferred to an isolation facility. The said incident have caused depression and somehow affected the well-being of the persons concerned. This matter is also already under investigation. In order to forestall occurrence of similar incident, this Advisory is hereby issued.

As the Region especially our country continues to fight the spread of this highly contagious disease, it appears that there are some individuals who cause additional suffering for those people already associated with the disease. Aside from the discrimination suffered by the aforementioned family, there are also reports in the social media that people diagnosed with the disease suffered stigma and discrimination. These acts include social avoidance, denial of healthcare and other basic services, and worse, some are subjected to physical and verbal violence. These acts produce a negative effect on the physical and mental well-being of the people already suffering because they became unwilling victims of this disease.

This Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights condemns all forms of discrimination and stigma directed not only to individuals who tested positive for the COVID-19 disease but also to our healthcare workers, repatriated OFWs and Non-OFWs, other COVID-19 cases whether confirmed, recovered, or undergoing treatment, as well as suspect and probable cases, and persons under monitoring. This is consistent with paragraph 7 of Section (8) General Provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines with Amendments as of June 03, 2020 as issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease which expressly provides that “Acts of discrimination inflicted upon healthcare workers, repatriated OFWs and Non-OFWs, COVID-19 cases whether confirmed, recovered, or undergoing treatment, as well as suspect and probable cases, and persons under monitoring are denounced in the strongest of terms. Acts in furtherance of discrimination, such as, but not limited to, coercion, libel, slander, physical injuries and the dishonor of contractual obligations such as contracts of lease or employment, shall be dealt with criminally, civilly, and/ or administratively. LGUs are enjoined to issue the necessary executive orders and/ or enact ordinances prohibiting and penalizing these discriminatory acts”.

In addition, Article II, Section 11, of the 1987 Constitution provides that the “State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.” Article 12 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also provides that, “The State parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health.” These guarantee the respect for dignity and human rights of both patients and frontline workers in our quest to fight this pandemic. The Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (Republic Act 7305) even calls for the promotion and improvement of the social and economic well-being of the health workers, their living and working conditions and terms of employment.

Furthermore, this office likewise commends those selfless individuals who generously provided and assisted the needs of people affected with this disease. We would also like to commend all the efforts of the different Regional Line Agencies, Provincial and Local Governments in combatting this disease and for the protection of all. As we continue this fight, may we consider the human rights aspect of every response and program that we implement in this time of public health crisis. May we learn to respect the rights and dignity of everyone, irrespective of their physical, mental or social condition. As posted by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines last August 24, 2020 in its official social media account, “Sympathize, do not stigmatize. When you find a person infected with COVID-19, respect them. Pray for them. Wish them get well soon”.

Lastly, the Commission on Human Rights accordingly renders this Human Rights Advisory as a reminder to all uniform personnel, LGU officials, and other government offices and officials that are currently enforcing the laws and their respective ordinances in relation to the pandemic to be humane and consider the situation of the people affected by the disease and to respond to their needs properly. Unfounded reports should never be the basis in making important decisions concerning the well-being of individuals affected with this disease.

The COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REGION-I shall be closely monitoring compliance to this Advisory.

LET THIS ADVISORY be adopted and disseminated to all duty bearers as widely as possible for their information and appropriate action.

Done in San Fernando City, La Union this 13th day of October, 2020.

Prepared by:

(SGD)
ATTY. ANNA LEAH T. ROMERO
Attorney V

Approved by:

(SGD)
ATTY. HAROLD D. KUB-ARON
Regional Human Rights Director

UNP - Student Handbook Development/ Human Rights & Drug Education The Office of Student Handbook Development and the Office of Human Rights and Drug Education are under the UNP Office of Student Affairs.

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TIKTOK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONTEST (GENERAL YOUTH CATEGORY) This year, the theme of human rights week is “Karapatan at Pagbangon sa Lahat ng Panahon: Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights”. This speaks about the importance of human rights in recovering better from the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuing value of standing up for human rights.

Survey on the Situation of Children with Disabilities in the Context of COVID-19 IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO READ BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SURVEY! The Sub-committee on Children with Disability of the Council for the Welfare of Children expresses concern over the welfare of children with disability and the possibility of severe disruption to services and other treatments with the clos...

Mga karapatan habang ikaw ay nasa custodial investigation: