The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) underscored that the creation of the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination under Administrative Order No. 22, series of 2024 started on the wrong foot with no meaningful consultation and participation from human rights and civil society groups in the country.
In a statement, the TFDP belied the claim of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its March 8, 2024 Facebook post that civil society organizations participation is indispensable in the whole of nation approach for the promotion and protection of human rights and that the civil society organizations received the proposal to establish a Human Rights Coordinating Council that will continue to enhance the implementation and monitoring of government policies and programs in the field of human rights.
“TFDP has consistently engaged with the United Nations Joint Program (UNJP) and other government agencies not only for capacity building, but more importantly, to demand accountability, promote transparency in governance and ultimately to break the cycle of impunity,” the statement added.
The group pointed out that in order to clear the cloud of doubt hanging over the creation of the Special Committee and to preclude any conclusion that it is meant to window dress government performance on human rights and justice, it recommended some measures for immediate action.
Among the said recommendations include the fact that as a meaningful step towards accountability, dismantle the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflicts (NTF-ELCAC); prosecute the ‘red-taggers’ and perpetrators of human rights violations; repeal the Anti-Terror law; rejoin the International Criminal court (ICC); implement whatever actions the ICC would take; implement the recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and allow unhampered visits of the UN Special Rapporteurs.
The group challenged government officials to translate into actions their pronouncements that they are human rights defenders.
On the other hand, the TFDP asserted that the Special Committee should endorse the enactment into law of the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Act; the enactment of the proposed law seeking to establish the National Preventive Mechanism in compliance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and the immediate ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
“The measures of respect for human rights is not in words but in deeds. Real action for real justice! Break Impunity. Be Accountable. Dispense Real Justice,” the statement stressed.
The group stipulated that it welcomes any and all efforts to promote, protect and defend human rights in the country.
Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued Administrative Order No. 22, series of 2024 that created the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination which will be chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin with the Justice Secretary and Foreign Affairs Secretary as members. By Dexter A. See