CAT Alert! Cannot Allow Torture!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Arroyo signs anti-torture bill into law

Arroyo signs anti-torture bill into law
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:58:00 11/13/2009

Filed Under: Human Rights, Laws
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) The Philippines finally has an anti-torture law after 22 years.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, which criminalizes “torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo.

To read more...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Phillipine Alliance of Human Rights (PAHRA)

Press Release

Signing the Freedom from Torture Law
see also : Open Letter to Ms Arroyo, 30 September 2009

Paris - Quezon City : 20 October 2009 - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Phillipine Alliance of Human Rights (PAHRA) wish to convey their concern regarding the delay of the signing of the new Anti-Torture Act of the Phillipines despite the fact that it has been adopted by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Our organisations are convinced that the bill will constitue a crucial and fundamental step for human rights protection in the Philippines after decades of civil society's efforts to have domestic legislation on the criminalization of torture.

FIDH and PAHRA consider that in signing the Anti-Torture Act the Phillipines may influence other States in Asia to take similar positive steps. The adoption of this bill will be a significantly positive step towards the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights bodies which have called upon the Philippines' authorities to elaborate specific domestic law criminalizing torture as stated in the country's Constitution.

Emmanouil Athanasiou
Responsable du Bureau Asie - Head of Asia Desk

(FIDH) -
International Federation for Human Rights
Fédération
Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l'Homme
17, Passage de la Main
d'Or
75011 Paris, France

Tél.: 0033 1 43 55 25 18
Fax.: 0033 1 43 55 18 80

Let us assert our common humanity… We Cannot Allow Torture in any way

Since time immemorial, torture has been humanity’s option for clinging to power and in suppressing truth. This happened to St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, during his stoning to death. This was humanity’s betrayal of Christ which ended up in the nailing on the cross. Indeed, He was a torture victim. Being sold for thirty pieces of silver; tried in public to denounce the supremacy of God over Ceasar; scourged at the pillar to test the vulnerability of the Son of God; crowned with thorns to disgrace the very sanctity of His Father. Torture was a method perpetrated with presumed regularity within the very procedures in the implementation of the law of man. Today, this is still happening. This is happening to any Juan, Pedro, and Maria in their quest to protect integrity and dignity as individuals or communities in the Philippines.