Sanchez: Dignifying human rights

In the New Testament, St Paul appealed to Christian brothers and sister 1 in Corinthians 12:13 that “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

The same call holds true to the Visayan-wide human rights community is pushing for the strengthening of human rights to live a life of dignity in a peaceful community, and in pursuing social development.

The call is a bit late. But as they say, better late than never.

On August 16, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte instructed Philippine National Police personnel to “shoot those who are part of [drug activity]. If they [members of human rights organizations] are obstructing justice, you shoot them.”

He added, “When it comes to criminals, [human rights organizations] will proclaim, ‘human rights violations’ [to protect them].”

Duterte also warned that human rights organizations may face criminal investigations for criticizing his anti-drug campaign.

“One of these days, you human rights groups, I will also investigate you. That’s the truth. For conspiracy.”

Whoa, human rights defense is now a criminal conspiracy, according to the President? Not according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

In its Article XIII Social Justice And Human Rights Section 1, it says “The Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.”

Further, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is an independent office created by Section 18, Article XIII of the Philippine Constitution, with the primary function of investigating all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights in the Philippines.

It seems human rights can be placed on auto-pilot. Despite what the fundamental law of the land says, human rights are not to be taken as a given. Its realization is still an ongoing struggle.

Thus, we see as part of the initiative, representatives from different sectors such as labor, urban poor, farmers, fisherfolk, women, youth, persons deprived of liberty, transport workers, church, and the academe launched the Tindog Katungod (Stand up for Human Rights) at the Planta Centro Bacolod this coming Saturday, May 26.

We read in a press statement that the launching was the outcome of five months of consultations and group discussions among basic sectors, and civil society organizations working for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Visayas region.

These initiatives are in cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights under its Governance in Justice or Go Just program.

The Visayas process was facilitated by the Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa, with Partido Manggagawa, and Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa as lead organizations.

I salute the CHR for this initiative. Congratulations.

(bqsanc@yahoo.com)

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