human rights

RA 7610 was approved on June 17, 1992 for the purpose of protecting children against all forms of abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, given their unique standing in society. It is written in this law that the State should create sanctions to deter violations against children such as trafficking, child prostitution and other forms of sexual abuse, and discrimination against children from indigenous communities. Children should also be protected from maltreatment through special provisions in cases of child employment.

A consolidation of women’s rights with the aim of empowerment, non-discrimination, and equal participation of women, RA 9710, known as Magna Carta of Women, was approved on August 14, 2009. As all human beings are equal and free in their rights and the dignity of their own personhood, women should be able to partake in all privileges and responsibility, entitling them the equal availability of opportunities in the development of state and society. The State should create provisions to eliminate gender stereotyping in all their endeavors, whether political, economic, social, or cultural.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) is the first substantive agreement produced by the GRP-NDF peace talks.

CARHRIHL was signed by the two parties on 16 March 1998 in The Hague, The Netherlands. The government issued Memorandum Order No. 9 on 7 August 1998 to implement the Agreement. But CARHRIHL was activated with the formation of the GRP-NDF Joint Monitoring-Committee only in 2004.

The signing of Republic Act 9851 or the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law” into law last December 11, 2009 was considered by many human rights groups and activists a landmark legislation. RA 9851 mandates both state and non-state armed groups to observe international humanitarian law standards, giving victims of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity legal recourse. For as long as the victim is a Filipino citizen, any violators whether government or non-government, may be charged so long as the victim is a Filipino citizen.

In an act to safeguard the rights of people engaged in armed conflict, the Republic Act No. 9745, otherwise known as the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 was passed on September 2, 2009. To ensure that all the rights of the detainees, suspects or prisoners are respected, RA 9745 penalizes torture or any degrading treatment of captives that would cause physical or psychological harm. Family members or any persons related to the captive are also given protection by imposing penalties to any maltreatment done upon them.

Sulong CARHIHL as a Peacekeeping Strategy
By Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer
Co-convener, Sulong CARHRIHL

Presented at the Workshop on “Peace Policy Dialogue: Peacekeeping Initiatives in the Philippines,” Asian Institute of Management, Makati City, September 14-15, 2005