Latest news with #CommissiononHumanRights
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR urges stronger PH enforcement of Int'l Humanitarian Law
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday called on the government and stakeholders to strengthen the enforcement of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) as persons displaced by armed conflicts now face evolving threats. In a statement, the CHR stressed that conflict situations are becoming increasingly complex with changing technology and new modes of warfare. Addressing the issue, the CHR said, is a "shared responsibility." "The CHR calls on the government, policymakers, and non-government partners to adapt the implementation of IHL to local contexts while also ensuring stronger enforcement," the CHR said. Tangible actions are needed, the CHR said, including strict application of the law, prosecution of violators, and enhanced training for military and police personnel. "The Commission urges the government to reassess the situation of persons displaced by armed conflicts. Protection is only one step. Ensuring access to basic needs, restoring livelihoods, and safeguarding dignity are equally critical," it added. "The CHR calls for full accountability from all parties in upholding IHL, so that justice and protection become lived realities for every civilian affected by armed conflict," the Commission said. Taking concrete steps on the IHL, also known as the law on conflict situations, is front and center of CHR's observance of IHL Month this August. This year's theme is, "Galvanizing Commitment to International Humanitarian Law: Challenges and Opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region." The CHR recognized that the country is hosting a four-day Asia Pacific Regional Conference on IHL from August 11 to 14. The conference is a vital opportunity for the country to strengthen its role, the CHR said, as a "champion of IHL, especially in addressing emerging challenges, such as cyber operations, and autonomous weapons systems." While it clamored for stronger IHL enforcement, the CHR nonetheless commended the government's "active commitment" in advancing the IHL. According to CHR, this was evident in the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 9851, or An Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity; and RA 11188, or The Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act. It also acknowledged the Marcos administration's declared intent to seek a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2027-2027 as this "further underscor[es] the country's commitment to global peace and security grounded in humanitarian principles." — Mariel Celine Serquiña/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- GMA Network
CHR seeks swift prosecution of child sellers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called for the immediate prosecution of perpetrators of child selling, including through online platforms. CHR issued the statement in light of the case of a one-month-old child sold online. 'CHR expresses grave concern and vehemently condemns the ongoing practice of child selling in the country. The sale of children—even by their own parents, and regardless of intent—is a clear violation of Philippine law and constitutes child trafficking, punishable under Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and Republic Act No. 9208, as amended (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act),' it said. 'The government should immediately strengthen the monitoring and regulation of online platforms, enhance surveillance and investigative capabilities, as well as swiftly prosecute these perpetrators of child trafficking,' it added. In addition, the commission urgently called on the Philippine government to uphold its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 35 of the UNCRC provides that all state parties should 'take all appropriate measures to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children,' given that 'these acts represent grave human rights violations that must be addressed with utmost urgency.' 'Let us stand united against the exploitation of children. No child should ever be bought, sold, or treated as a commodity,' the CHR said. Further, it said individuals and couples seeking to adopt a child should do so under a legal and ethical process as provided under Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. 'Legal adoption safeguards the rights and welfare of the child. It is imperative that prospective adoptive parents follow lawful procedures,' the CHR said. 'We urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of child trafficking to the proper authorities. Protecting our children is a collective duty and a shared societal responsibility,' it added. —Llanesca Panti/LDF, GMA Integrated News
The Star
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Philippine senator seeks inquiry into selling of babies online
MANILA: Sen Pia Cayetano (pic) is calling for a Senate investigation into the increasing number of posts offering babies for sale on social media platforms. Cayetano formalised her motion in a resolution filed on Wednesday (July 16). This came after the Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Beda Epres, in an interview with dzMM Teleradyo on Monday, raised an alarm over the uptrend in online posts that commodify babies, with most of them even having their own families complicit in their selling. Cayetano strongly denounced the treatment of children as commodities and issued the resolution in response, calling for a thorough probe on the illegal trade of children. 'These are heartbreaking reports that demand swift and coordinated action. The sale of children online is a gross violation of their rights and a crime under our laws,' she said. Law enforcement and social agencies were tapped to look into whether the transactions occur in the oversight of organised syndicates and to address the systemic gaps that enable the widespread perpetration of the crime. Cayetano called for the strict enforcement of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which recognizes the selling of children and adoption for cash as acts of human trafficking. The Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act was also cited as a means to strengthen affordable and efficient adoption procedures for Filipino families. The senator also pressed for concentrated efforts in educating the community and digital monitoring, on account of reports of unborn babies already being placed for adoption in exchange for money. 'This issue is a painful reminder of the deep poverty and desperation that some families face, but that cannot justify the exploitation of our children. We must give mothers and families real alternatives, including accessible social services and a humane, efficient adoption system,' said Cayetano. The senator vowed to lobby for legal measures that shield Filipino children from cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
27-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH gov't not directly cooperating with ICC on drug war witnesses — Palace
Malacañang on Friday clarified that the government is not directly cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite the recent pronouncement of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that the tribunal had requested the government to provide protection for witnesses. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the government would help witnesses. "Parang sa ating pagkakadinig ay tutulungan ng DOJ (Department of Justice) ang mga witnesses para makapag-testify, para mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat mabigyan ng hustisya. Hindi directly makikipagtulungan sa ICC," Castro said. (From what we hear, the DOJ will help the witnesses to testify so that justice will be attained by those who seek it. Not directly cooperate with the ICC.) "Still, ang tutulungan po natin ay kapwa Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong para mabigyan sila ng hustisya. 'Yan din naman po ang sinasabi ng Commission on Human Rights," she added. (Still, assistance will be given to our fellow Filipinos who need help so they may achieve justice. This is aligned with the statements of the Commission on Human Rights.) Pressed if this matter has the go signal of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Castro said, "'Yun po ay, 'yan din naman po ang gusto ng Pangulo, mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat mabigyan ng hustisya." (That's also what the President wants, that justice be provided to those who deserve it.) Remulla earlier said three to four witnesses in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte before the ICC are currently under government protection. According to Remulla, more individuals may be placed under witness protection. Remulla also said cooperating with the tribunal does not contradict with the government's position that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in March 2019 during the Duterte administration. Castro recently said the President was open to having discussions with regard to the Philippines rejoining the ICC. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR calls for more legal protection for media workers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called on the government to provide more legal protection for media workers "to ensure press freedom, dissent, and civic participation." "CHR urges the Philippine government to act on the need to enhance the country's legal framework, including proposed legislation such as the Media Workers' Welfare Bill and Journalist Protection Bill, as well as existing mechanisms like Administrative Order No. 35 (creating an inter-agency task force on extrajudicial killings) and Executive Order No. 31, the decriminalization of libel, and a re-examination of key provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020," the CHR said in a statement. The CHR issued the statement after UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan urged the Philippine government to ratify international human rights treaties and restore its past ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. "The findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur align with the vision of a democratic society where every Filipino can participate in a healthy ecosystem of truthful information," added the CHR. The CHR also said there is a need to further strengthen the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, as well as expand the mandate of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. On the international level, CHR echoed Khan's call for the Philippines to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to reaccede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. "Every Filipino's right to freedom of expression and opinion is inherently linked to access to diverse sources of information, protection from threats, and meaningful participation in public life. As such, CHR remains firm in its stand that while the Philippines has seen improvements in this area, there remains a clear need for fundamental reforms to ensure that the free flow of information remains central to the country's democracy," the CHR added. Likewise, the CHR echoed the Special Rapporteur's deep concern over the continued occurrences of red-tagging, persisting cases of enforced disappearances and media killings, incidents of arbitrary detention, and the vilification of human rights defenders. Meanwhile, the CHR also welcomed Khan's recommendation to strengthen the independence of the Commission through the passage of the CHR Charter Bill. CHR hopes that the recommendations set forth by the Special Rapporteur will reinforce the foundations already established toward fostering a safer environment for all Filipinos," said CHR. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
