Paying lip service to human rights

EDITORIAL

Republic Act No. 9851, the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity” which President Arroyo recently signed was cited by the Civil Society Initiatives for International Humanitarian Law (CSI-IHL), a non-governmental organization who described it as a “breakthrough law” for human rights’ enforcement in the Philippines.

Following this, a government press release said the “Philippine government strongly condemns all human rights violations that caused harm and danger to the point of taking life to satisfy one’s lust for power. The significant enactment of RA 9851 will substantiate our local laws in order to advance the protection of human rights.” Lawyer Soliman M. Santos, Jr. of CSI-IHL said that this could even surpass RA 9745, or the “Anti-Torture Act of 2009,” which Ms Arroyo signed on Nov. 10.

More of the press release: “RA 9851 is a tool against human rights violation. The government will implement this without fear or favor. No human being is over or above another human being in terms of right to live a decent life, right to freedom and expression, right to education and others. Respect for human rights is a priority advocacy of the government. Our country has outlived many violations of human rights and this has devastated the Filipino people and the world. This is why the government vows to protect any individual against violence, abuse and inequality. Deference for every person creates a high standard of morality because life is highly regarded.

“The PNP and other law enforcement agencies and security sectors will always respect human rights. People in authority are trained to serve others before self. Even criminals and other law violators should be treated as human beings and not animals. Respect to one’s rights and individuality should be practiced without the use of force or threat. In no case will the PNP will violate constitutional guarantee on human rights.”

Personnel of PNP/AFP and other security sectors who will commit actuations in violation of human rights, the press release said, will face the full force of the law. The primary function of these organizations is to protect any individual from violence and abuse, prevent and suppress crime and not to inflict fear and violence in the community.

More of the press release: “Protection to human rights is a shared responsibility. The promotion of peace and order is being intensified by the PNP and other line agencies in all parts of the Philippines. Our local leaders sit together to discuss and act on the concerns of the community and support each other in the programs and projects to assist the government in this common goal. We look out for each other. We are our neighbor’s keepers and we are accountable for them. This partnership of enforcers and community is a strong binding effort in protecting the right of every individual. Its realization will only be felt if the government and community will work hand in hand in supporting the different plans and programs on this matter. “

People are tired of government paying lip service to issues like human rights. There are a lot of human rights violations which had been happening in the country ever since the present administration took over, the latest of which was the case of the “Morong 43,” a group of medical workers who were arrested by the military who claimed they were members of the New People’s Army. They are still detained and allegedly had been subjected to torture and other atrocities, violations of international laws on human rights.

Before the government issues more presS releases on its advocacy for human rights, it better do something first to improve the dire human rights situation in this country wherein a lot of human rights advocates and innocent civilians have been killed by members of the AFP and PNP who were supposed to protect them in the first place.