Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Leila de Lima has urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to show her commitment to the protection of human rights by certifying as 'urgent' the passage of legislative measures against human rights violations.

At the same time, she urged the Senate to demonstrate the same level of commitment as their counterparts in the House of Representatives for the immediate passage of these landmark measures and compel the Executive to perform its mandate by signing these measures into law.

De Lima warned that the failure to enact a law on human rights will be taken as a sign that the Philippines government is ignoring pressing concerns such as the prevalence of torture, extrajudicial killings and internal displacement.

Since Mrs. Arroyo was swept to power through a military coup in 2001, at least 900 activists and members of left-wing groups in the Philippines have reportedly been killed, while more than 300 remained missing.

The European Union and the United States, human rights watchdogs and the UN have condemned the spate of unexplained killings in the country and urged Manila to resolve the problem and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Special courts have been created to address human rights violations believed to be perpetrated by the state security forces, but killings have continued.

Urgent

De Lima said urgent action, on the other hand, would dispel international perceptions that the Philippine government lacks political will to address the issue.

“It bears to stress that the Philippines, whenever it ratifies or accedes to international human rights treaties, obligates itself to translate the same into national legislation," she said in a statement.

Three legislative measures were recently passed on the third reading at the House of Representatives. These are the bills against torture, enforced disappearance and against internal displacement of persons.

De Lima lauded the proponents of the measures led by Reps. Lorenzo Tañada III and Matias Defensor Jr., chairmen of the House Committee on Human Rights and the House Committee on Justice, respectively, for showing their dedication and commitment to address prevalent human rights violations in the country.

“It is high time that the Philippines, through relevant laws on human rights, demonstrates its sincerity and seriousness in responding to the issues of impunity and human rights violations haunting the country today," she said.

Milestone

De Lima said the passage of these bills at House of Representatives “marks a milestone in Philippine legislative history" considering that these measures have been pending in Congress for 22 years.

Next month, the government’s report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment will be considered by the Committee Against Torture.

De Lima said the CHR will be present in the deliberations to continue its call to government to make good its commitment as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on Human Rights.

Date: 14 March 2009

Source: GMANews.TV