Dismal human rights record

EDITORIAL

One year after Benigno Aquino III became President of the Philippines, his administration has shown little progress in addressing human rights violations such as torture, enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings in the country and in Northern Luzon.

This, according to Amnesty International which said, “progress is slow, far in between and sometimes inconsistent.”

“The prosecution of perpetrators of human rights abuses is still not a priority for the Aquino administration. We still do not know what lies ahead for the victims of human rights abuses and their families. After a full year in office, it is time for President Aquino to give the attention to human rights that is necessary for the respect and protection of the right to life, right against enforced disappearance and freedom from torture, among others.”, said Aurora Parong, director of Amnesty International Philippines at a press conference in Baguio City .

Amnesty International released on June 30, 2011 “Progress, Stagnation, Regression? The State of Human Rights in the Philippines under Aquino.” The 28-page briefing examines the Aquino administration’s progress on 26-key human rights recommendations, which the organization put forward to the newly-elected president Aquino in June 2010.

Amnesty International assessed the Aquino administration’s performance on curbing political killings, enforced disappearances and torture. It found that Aquino has failed to establish accountability over the state security forces including paramilitary groups and has not made enough progress in disbanding and disarming private armies and in ensuring justice for victims of human rights violations.

Based on Amnesty International’s assessment, out of the 26 human rights action points, this is how the Aquino Administration has fared:

significant improvement, 0; some progress, 2; little change, 8; stagnant, 8; failed. 7 and regressed at 1.

The international human rights organization expressed concern over continued human rights violations in and delayed justice in Northern Luzon. The human rights watchdog particularly mentioned Nelson Asucena , who was shot dead in 2006 by men in camouflaged uniforms in Cagayan Valley and the case of James Balao, who disappeared in 2009 in La Trinidad, Benguet.

“We call on President Aquino to create a Presidential Accountability Commission to ensure the investigation and expedient prosecution of cases of political killings, enforced disappearances and torture. This will ensure that adequate attention is given to investigation and prosecution of alleged perpetrators of those who disappeared, tortured and killed in the first year of the Aquino government and those killed in the last decade under the Arroyo government.

Many people of Northern Luzon face insecurity every day and they await the delivery of justice as promised by President Aquino.” Dr. Parong said

Amnesty International in its Global Human Rights Report 2011 mentioned cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, and ill-treatment, violations of indigenous peoples rights and sexual reproductive rights.