Remember Repression, Remember Resistance, Remember Courage
{Blog about torture, enforced disappearance, EJK and human rights}
Showing posts with label Human rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Human rights. Show all posts
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Friday, July 4, 2014
June 26 Declaration on the Fight against Torture Impunity in the Philippines
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| Photo by Medical Action Group |
June 26
Declaration on the Fight against Torture Impunity in the Philippines
The undersigned participants of the Forum-Dialogue, “End
Torture in the Philippines” held at the InterContinental Hotel in Makati City,
Philippines on June 26, 2014, International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture have adopted the following:
Considering,
1.
That
torture is one of the most serious violations of human rights; it destroys
dignity, body and mind and has far reaching effect on family and community;
freedom from torture is enshrined in various international human rights
instruments and national laws; and prohibition of torture is absolute and can
never be justified in any circumstance or “non-derogable”;
Bearing in mind,
2. That crime of torture
is committed against men, women and children. In most cases, torture
perpetrators go unpunished;
3. That
impunity is the failure of the authorities to fully investigate violations; to
bring to justice and punish perpetrators; to provide victims with effective
remedies; and to take all necessary steps to prevent the violation to happen
again;
MAKE THE WHEEL OF JUSTICE WORK-UATC
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| Photo by Medical Action Group |
UATC STATEMENT
June 26, 2014
MAKE THE WHEEL OF JUSTICE WORK
Fight Impunity, Demand for
Accountability
Today, we, the United Against
Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines and various anti-torture advocates on the
eight consecutive year marks the International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture through the “Basta! Run Against Torture 8” (BRAT VIII) as we renew our
resonating call to stop torture and to fight impunity.
While the UATC recognizes the
significant improvement in the legal protection against torture in the
Philippines, we observed that the implementation of the law and policies has
not been made so far with due diligence and efficacy as torture remains
prevalent and is still being committed with total impunity. Every year, we are
expecting new cases to undoubtedly arise.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
NITOY WAS A FALL GUY AND ONLY ADMITTED KILLING ROWE BECAUSE HE WAS TORTURED. #StopTorture!
NITOY WAS A FALL GUY AND ONLY ADMITTED KILLING ROWE BECAUSE HE WAS TORTURED. #StopTorture!
August 27, 1989, 6:30 in the evening. Down South in Mindanao, Juanito, a 25-year old bachelor, had boarded a passenger jeep on his way to church. Suddenly it was blocked by a vehicle loaded with armed men. “A hold-up”, Juanito thought, but the men got hold of him, bound his arms and legs, blindfolded him and threw him the back of the van, the way it is done with pigs for their last trip to the slaughterhouse.
All throughout the night and the next day he was interrogated, beaten and choked by different shifts to force him into confessing of being the triggerman in the Rowe murder, until he lost consciousness. A few days later, Juanito was presented to the press as a prize catch and subsequently condemned to serve a life sentence in Muntinlupa, the huge penitentiary South of Manila...
August 27, 1989, 6:30 in the evening. Down South in Mindanao, Juanito, a 25-year old bachelor, had boarded a passenger jeep on his way to church. Suddenly it was blocked by a vehicle loaded with armed men. “A hold-up”, Juanito thought, but the men got hold of him, bound his arms and legs, blindfolded him and threw him the back of the van, the way it is done with pigs for their last trip to the slaughterhouse.
All throughout the night and the next day he was interrogated, beaten and choked by different shifts to force him into confessing of being the triggerman in the Rowe murder, until he lost consciousness. A few days later, Juanito was presented to the press as a prize catch and subsequently condemned to serve a life sentence in Muntinlupa, the huge penitentiary South of Manila...
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Countdown to June 26: ACCOUNTABILITY (PANANAGUTAN)
TORTURE must end NOW!
Make it happen by helping the “Wheel of Justice” work.
Join us in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on #June26.
#StopTorture
#JoinBRAT8
#BastaRunAgainstTorture
#HumanRights
#IDVST
#TortureFreePhilippines
Countdown to June 26
Day 1: ACCOUNTABILITY (PANANAGUTAN)
Accountability refers to the processes and mechanisms that hold any individual legally responsible for his or her own actions with imposed sanctions for violations of the law.
Make it happen by helping the “Wheel of Justice” work.
Join us in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on #June26.
#StopTorture
#JoinBRAT8
#BastaRunAgainstTorture
#HumanRights
#IDVST
#TortureFreePhilippines
Countdown to June 26
Day 1: ACCOUNTABILITY (PANANAGUTAN)
Accountability refers to the processes and mechanisms that hold any individual legally responsible for his or her own actions with imposed sanctions for violations of the law.
Basta Run Against Torture VIII on June 26, 2014
DEAR FRIENDS,
Warmest greetings from the Medical Action Group (MAG)!
The United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)- Philippines commemorates
the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture every June 26,
through BASTA! Run Against Torture (BRAT).
BRAT is a symbolic call to various stakeholders to take concrete and effective steps to address the routine use of torture through the effective implementation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 and putting in place structural changes that can help facilitate the quest of torture survivors for justice. We are doing this flagship activity for the eighth time.
This year, we are expecting to gather more than 300 participants for the run. We will assemble at the front of the University of the Philippines Oblation Statue at around 7:00 am and after a brief program, the run will start at 8:00 am which will take the route of PHILCOA going to Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon Avenue corner EDSA.
In this regard, we would like you and your organization to participate in this activity. We are also requesting you to wear a blue T-shirt for us to have a uniform color.
For your confirmation or inquiries, please free to contact us at telephone number 441.1073/433.1594 or email us at mag.1982@magph.org.
We are looking forward to your favorable response.
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
(Sgd.)
Ms. Edeliza P. Hernandez, RN
Executive Director, Medical Action Group
Warmest greetings from the Medical Action Group (MAG)!
BRAT is a symbolic call to various stakeholders to take concrete and effective steps to address the routine use of torture through the effective implementation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 and putting in place structural changes that can help facilitate the quest of torture survivors for justice. We are doing this flagship activity for the eighth time.
This year, we are expecting to gather more than 300 participants for the run. We will assemble at the front of the University of the Philippines Oblation Statue at around 7:00 am and after a brief program, the run will start at 8:00 am which will take the route of PHILCOA going to Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon Avenue corner EDSA.
In this regard, we would like you and your organization to participate in this activity. We are also requesting you to wear a blue T-shirt for us to have a uniform color.
For your confirmation or inquiries, please free to contact us at telephone number 441.1073/433.1594 or email us at mag.1982@magph.org.
We are looking forward to your favorable response.
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
(Sgd.)
Ms. Edeliza P. Hernandez, RN
Executive Director, Medical Action Group
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
“Wheel of torture” symbolizes culture of torture impunity in the Philippines
Press
release
February 3,
2014
“Wheel of
torture” symbolizes culture of torture impunity in the Philippines
The
existence of “wheel of torture” game at a Philippine National Police (PNP)
detention facility in Biñan, Laguna where detainees are reportedly tortured by
authorities and its discovery by the Commission on Human Rights of the
Philippines (CHRP) last week only shows of what it seems everywhere before you
is a sight of impunity.
“While
noting the action by the CHRP in its inspection of the PNP lock-up cell in
Laguna, is deeply concerned on the existence of such detention facility which
only confirms the consistent and on-going allegations of routine and widespread
use of torture and ill-treatment of suspects in police custody, “ the United
Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines said.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Dismissal from service of torturers not enough, implement RA9745, convene the Oversight Committee-TFDP
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
Reaction to the alleged torture of inmates in a secret detention in Binan Laguna
January 30, 2014
DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE OF TORTURERS NOT ENOUGH, IMPLEMENT RA9745, CONVENE THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Suspension and dismissal from service of the 10 suspected torturers are not enough. Cases should be filed against the alleged perpetrators under the Anti-Torture Law (ATL) or RA9745 and prosecute torturers.
The alleged torture of detainees if proven should not only penalize the 10 police personnel. Their immediate superiors should also be held liable. The ATL provides,
Moreover, they should also be held liable for maintaining a “secret prison” in Binan, Laguna. Section 7 of RA 9745 states that
This is also to urge the Commission on Human Rights to convene the oversight committee, as provided by the law. The committee shall be composed of representatives from both houses of Congress for the purpose of monitoring compliance to the act.
EMMANUEL AMISTAD
Executive Director
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
09178569830; ecamistad@yahoo.com, office: 9950246, 4378054; tfdp.1974@gmail.com
Reaction to the alleged torture of inmates in a secret detention in Binan Laguna
January 30, 2014
DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE OF TORTURERS NOT ENOUGH, IMPLEMENT RA9745, CONVENE THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Suspension and dismissal from service of the 10 suspected torturers are not enough. Cases should be filed against the alleged perpetrators under the Anti-Torture Law (ATL) or RA9745 and prosecute torturers.
The alleged torture of detainees if proven should not only penalize the 10 police personnel. Their immediate superiors should also be held liable. The ATL provides,
The immediate commanding officer of the unit concerned of the AFP or the immediate senior public official of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies shall be held liable as a principal to the crime of torture or other cruel or inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment for any act or omission, or negligence committed by him/her that shall have led, assisted, abetted or allowed, whether directly or indirectly, the commission thereof by his/her subordinates. If he/she has knowledge of or, owing to the circumstances at the time, should have known that acts of torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment shall be committed, is being committed, or has been committed by his/her subordinates or by others within his/her area of responsibility and, despite such knowledge, did not take preventive or corrective action either before, during or immediately after its commission, when he/she has the authority to prevent or investigate allegations of torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment but failed to prevent or investigate allegations of such act, whether deliberately or due to negligence shall also be liable as principals.
Moreover, they should also be held liable for maintaining a “secret prison” in Binan, Laguna. Section 7 of RA 9745 states that
Prohibited Detention. - Secret detention places, solitary confinement, incommunicado or other similar forms of detention, where torture may be carried out with impunity.
This is also to urge the Commission on Human Rights to convene the oversight committee, as provided by the law. The committee shall be composed of representatives from both houses of Congress for the purpose of monitoring compliance to the act.
EMMANUEL AMISTAD
Executive Director
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
09178569830; ecamistad@yahoo.com, office: 9950246, 4378054; tfdp.1974@gmail.com
PHILIPPINES: ‘Torture wheels’ is tip of the iceberg — Asian Human Rights Commission
PHILIPPINES: ‘Torture wheels’ is tip of the iceberg — Asian Human Rights Commission
Photo by CHR
The discovery of a ‘torture wheel’ “inside a private subdivision in Laguna,” which is under the control of intelligence officers in Biñan, Laguna, where detainees arrested for illegal drugs are tortured and held, drew outrage as to how the police conduct its investigation into crimes.
The “torture wheel” was discovered by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) after conducting onsite inspections of the detention facility. The facility, however, was not included in the list of official detention centres; and, in fact, its operation reportedly surprised the Philippine National Police (PNP). The facility is “never included in the regular status reports of all police custodial and detention centers.”
With the discovery and exposure of this practice, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) expresses its appreciation to the CHR for investigating and conducting the onsite inspection. On this occasion the CHR went out of its way by investigating promptly and effectively into the complaints of torture.
The CHR’s investigation was in response to complaints received by the public attorney attached to the Public Attorney Office (PAO) in Laguna. The PAO lawyers filed the complaint with the CHR based on the allegations of torture by victims detained by the intelligence officers and policemen.
Read more @www.humanrights.asia
Photo by CHR
The “torture wheel” was discovered by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) after conducting onsite inspections of the detention facility. The facility, however, was not included in the list of official detention centres; and, in fact, its operation reportedly surprised the Philippine National Police (PNP). The facility is “never included in the regular status reports of all police custodial and detention centers.”
With the discovery and exposure of this practice, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) expresses its appreciation to the CHR for investigating and conducting the onsite inspection. On this occasion the CHR went out of its way by investigating promptly and effectively into the complaints of torture.
The CHR’s investigation was in response to complaints received by the public attorney attached to the Public Attorney Office (PAO) in Laguna. The PAO lawyers filed the complaint with the CHR based on the allegations of torture by victims detained by the intelligence officers and policemen.
Read more @www.humanrights.asia
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
e-sumbong ang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao!
Karapatan natin ang isang #TortureFreePhilippines. Labag ito
sa RA 9745 ang batas laban sa tortyur. Kaya ‘pag may kilala kang natortyur o
nangtortyur, e-sumbong na ‘yan! https://www.facebook.com/ESumbong
Wheel of torture: 10 cops relieved - INQUIRER.net
Wheel of torture: 10 cops relieved
41 detainees maltreated at secret PNP facility
By Cynthia D. Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 29, 2014
MANILA, Philippines — Ten Philippine National
Police officers have been sacked following revelations they played a
so-called “wheel of torture” game at a secret detention facility to
extract information from criminal suspects and also to have fun, the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Tuesday.
The CHR is looking into the alleged
maltreatment of up to 41 detainees in the PNP facility in Biñan, Laguna
province, according to the commission.
Under the game, detainees—mostly suspected
drug traffickers—were punched if the “torture wheel” stopped at “20
seconds Manny Pacman,” referring to a nickname of popular boxer Manny
Pacquiao, or hung upside down if it stopped at a punishment called
“30-second bat,” said Amnesty International, the London-based rights
group. It called the practice despicable.
“It’s horrible,” said CHR chair Loretta Ann
Rosales of the revelation more than three decades after the Philippines
emerged from the brutal era of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship.
41 detainees maltreated at secret PNP facility
By Cynthia D. Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 29, 2014
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| Photo by CHR |
Police officers have been sacked following revelations they played a
so-called “wheel of torture” game at a secret detention facility to
extract information from criminal suspects and also to have fun, the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Tuesday.
The CHR is looking into the alleged
maltreatment of up to 41 detainees in the PNP facility in Biñan, Laguna
province, according to the commission.
Under the game, detainees—mostly suspected
drug traffickers—were punched if the “torture wheel” stopped at “20
seconds Manny Pacman,” referring to a nickname of popular boxer Manny
Pacquiao, or hung upside down if it stopped at a punishment called
“30-second bat,” said Amnesty International, the London-based rights
group. It called the practice despicable.
“It’s horrible,” said CHR chair Loretta Ann
Rosales of the revelation more than three decades after the Philippines
emerged from the brutal era of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship.
Sotto bill revives death penalty - IQUIRER.net
Sotto bill revives death penalty
By Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net
January 28, 2014
MANILA, Philippines—Alarmed by the influx of heinous crimes, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has sought the revival of Republic Act 7659 or the Death Penalty Law in the country through lethal injection.
In filing Senate Bill 2080 known as “An Act imposing death penalty in the Philippines,” Sotto sought to repeal Republic Act No. 9346 otherwise known as “An act prohibiting the imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines…”
“The influx of heinous crimes committed poses an alarming situation in the country nowadays,” he said in his explanatory note in the bill.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/570377/sotto-bill-revives-death-penalty
Follow INQUIRER.net: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
By Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net
January 28, 2014
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| Photo file by INQUIRER.net |
In filing Senate Bill 2080 known as “An Act imposing death penalty in the Philippines,” Sotto sought to repeal Republic Act No. 9346 otherwise known as “An act prohibiting the imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines…”
“The influx of heinous crimes committed poses an alarming situation in the country nowadays,” he said in his explanatory note in the bill.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/570377/sotto-bill-revives-death-penalty
Follow INQUIRER.net: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Police torture chamber found in Laguna - INQUIRER.net
Police torture chamber found in Laguna
MANILA, Philippines—A previously unlisted Philippine National Police detention facility in Laguna has been the venue for many instances of torture of its detainees, the Commission on Human Rights disclosed Friday.
The CHR announced at a news conference it had recently caused the relief of a police official and nine other officers of the PNP Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) in Biñan for the alleged maltreatment of suspected drug pushers.
“It came as a surprise that the PIB has detainees in their office, because they should be turning them over to the police stations,” said Jacqueline dela Peña, acting director of the CHR Regional Office 4. “Some (provincial) police officials were surprised there’s such a detention facility. The PNP had not informed us (about it).”
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/568875/police-torture-chamber-found-in-laguna#ixzz2rgYLdWYl
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
The CHR announced at a news conference it had recently caused the relief of a police official and nine other officers of the PNP Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) in Biñan for the alleged maltreatment of suspected drug pushers.
“It came as a surprise that the PIB has detainees in their office, because they should be turning them over to the police stations,” said Jacqueline dela Peña, acting director of the CHR Regional Office 4. “Some (provincial) police officials were surprised there’s such a detention facility. The PNP had not informed us (about it).”
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/568875/police-torture-chamber-found-in-laguna#ixzz2rgYLdWYl
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Monday, November 4, 2013
Continuing Struggle for Endless Remembering -AFAD
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| File photo by AFAD |
Until now, hundreds of thousands of families around the world are in the eternal search for answers and endless grief to find closure. They are continuously tormented by the fact that as time passes by, they remain uncertain of the fate and whereabouts of their dear desaparecidos. They are being deprived by their own governments of their right to know the truth and to obtain justice. They are forever placed in limbo of hope and despair without knowing when to mourn and to start moving on.
Enforced disappearance is undeniably one of the cruelest forms of human rights violations. It is not only an affront to the person’s basic rights and fundamental freedom but also a trample on the human dignity of the disappeared and of his or her family. It is a tragedy hovering everywhere. Based on the 2012 report of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGEID), enforced disappearance is occuring in 84 countries around the world. It is most prevalent in the Asian region, a continent where there is no strong regional mechanisms for protection and redress.
Paggunita sa kagitingan at sakripisyo ng mga biktima ng sapilitang pagwala -FIND
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| Photo by FIND |
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
[Urgent Appeal] Arrest and alleged torture of a 16-year old boy in Zamboanga City by members of the AFP
URGENT APPEAL
Dear Friends,
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, writes to inform you about an arrest and alleged torture of a 16-year old boy in Zamboanga City by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on September 20, 2013. He is an alleged member of the Moro National Liberation Front.
Case Details
Mudzmer Abdulla, 16 years of age, was arrested along with seven other men suspected to have taken part in the siege in Zamboanga City, Philippines by the Moro National Liberation Front.
According to Mudzmer, they were all wounded when they were forced to surrender. He said that the military commanded them to put their hands over their heads and to drop flat to the ground. After, the military in boots stepped on them and tied them up with a rope. After, they were kicked and punched as they were being forced to admit being MNLF fighters.
Mudzmer claimed that one of his companions was slashed to death by one of the military personnel when he denied involvement with the MNLF. Fearing for their lives, they all admitted to be members of MNLF under duress.
He was blindfolded and taken to a venue he believes to be the Southern City College since he overheard his captors. Mudzmer was interrogated and asked about the other men. In fear, he confessed that he is originally from Sulu and was part of a certain Commander Nasser Adja’s team. His commander has already been killed by the military.
Mudzmer had shrapnel wounds in his left ankle, right knee and his thighs that needed medical attention but rather than provide him health care, he was punched in the eye, kicked on his injured knee and stabbed at his right hand.
At dawn, Mudzmer was taken to Zamboanga City Central Police Station. According to him, this is when his captors took off his blindfolds. He was put in a detention cell with other alleged members of the MNLF. He said that though he was given bread that day, he along with the other detainees, were not provided food for five days. They were only given water.
Now, Mudzmer has been transferred to the San Ramon Penal and Prison Farm. He said that he was given a dental examination to verify his age but is yet to receive the result of the test.
He said that his co-detainees inside the cell have been treating him harshly and that some even takes his share of food during mealtime.
Mudzmer said that his father, who was an MNLF member, convinced him to join a peace rally to Zamboanga City. He was promised that they will be given five thousand pesos each and that after taking part in the peace rally, they will be becoming integrees of the government. They were given an armalite rifle and an MNLF uniform before leaving Sulu for Zamboanga.
Dear Friends,
Case Details
Mudzmer Abdulla, 16 years of age, was arrested along with seven other men suspected to have taken part in the siege in Zamboanga City, Philippines by the Moro National Liberation Front.
According to Mudzmer, they were all wounded when they were forced to surrender. He said that the military commanded them to put their hands over their heads and to drop flat to the ground. After, the military in boots stepped on them and tied them up with a rope. After, they were kicked and punched as they were being forced to admit being MNLF fighters.
Mudzmer claimed that one of his companions was slashed to death by one of the military personnel when he denied involvement with the MNLF. Fearing for their lives, they all admitted to be members of MNLF under duress.
He was blindfolded and taken to a venue he believes to be the Southern City College since he overheard his captors. Mudzmer was interrogated and asked about the other men. In fear, he confessed that he is originally from Sulu and was part of a certain Commander Nasser Adja’s team. His commander has already been killed by the military.
Mudzmer had shrapnel wounds in his left ankle, right knee and his thighs that needed medical attention but rather than provide him health care, he was punched in the eye, kicked on his injured knee and stabbed at his right hand.
At dawn, Mudzmer was taken to Zamboanga City Central Police Station. According to him, this is when his captors took off his blindfolds. He was put in a detention cell with other alleged members of the MNLF. He said that though he was given bread that day, he along with the other detainees, were not provided food for five days. They were only given water.
Now, Mudzmer has been transferred to the San Ramon Penal and Prison Farm. He said that he was given a dental examination to verify his age but is yet to receive the result of the test.
He said that his co-detainees inside the cell have been treating him harshly and that some even takes his share of food during mealtime.
Mudzmer said that his father, who was an MNLF member, convinced him to join a peace rally to Zamboanga City. He was promised that they will be given five thousand pesos each and that after taking part in the peace rally, they will be becoming integrees of the government. They were given an armalite rifle and an MNLF uniform before leaving Sulu for Zamboanga.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Families and Advocates Against Enforced Disappearance urge Asian governments to bring the Desaparecidos home -AFAD
PRESS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISAPPEARED
AUGUST 30, 2013
Families and Advocates Against Enforced Disappearance urge Asian governments to bring the Desaparecidos home
On the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) vows to make full use of Republic Act 10353, the Anti Enforced Disappearance Act of 2012 to bring home all Filipino desaparecidos and to exact accountability from its violators.
Republic Act 10353 or the “Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act of 2012, which was enacted into law on 21 December 2012 and whose Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was promulgated on 12 February 2013, clearly define and penalize the act of enforced disappearance as a distinct and separate criminal offense.
The families of victims enforced disappearance in the Philippines have pledged to utilize the new law as a measure to combat impunity and guarantee substantial remedies to victims and their families.
While AFAD members laud the Philippine government for the passage of RA 10353 as an acknowledgement that the country needs to seriously address the problem of enforced disappearance, they are however disturbed that enforced disappearances persist under the present dispensation even as past cases remain unresolved. They take note for example, of the case of the three Islamic scholars en route to Sudan who were disappeared inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on January 3, 2012. While the Manila-based AFAD takes pride in the fact that the Philippines is the first Asian country to have an anti-enforced disappearance law in Asia, it stresses the importance of ensure the law’s full implementation and set a good example for its neighboring Asian states to imitate.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISAPPEARED
AUGUST 30, 2013
Families and Advocates Against Enforced Disappearance urge Asian governments to bring the Desaparecidos home
Republic Act 10353 or the “Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act of 2012, which was enacted into law on 21 December 2012 and whose Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was promulgated on 12 February 2013, clearly define and penalize the act of enforced disappearance as a distinct and separate criminal offense.
The families of victims enforced disappearance in the Philippines have pledged to utilize the new law as a measure to combat impunity and guarantee substantial remedies to victims and their families.
While AFAD members laud the Philippine government for the passage of RA 10353 as an acknowledgement that the country needs to seriously address the problem of enforced disappearance, they are however disturbed that enforced disappearances persist under the present dispensation even as past cases remain unresolved. They take note for example, of the case of the three Islamic scholars en route to Sudan who were disappeared inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on January 3, 2012. While the Manila-based AFAD takes pride in the fact that the Philippines is the first Asian country to have an anti-enforced disappearance law in Asia, it stresses the importance of ensure the law’s full implementation and set a good example for its neighboring Asian states to imitate.
Why is there no investigation into the torture of a rape suspect two months on? -AHRC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-STM-157-2013
August 29, 2013
A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission
PHILIPPINES: Why is there no investigation into the torture of a rape suspect two months on?
On June 21, we reported that Alfredo Lim, the former Mayor of Manila, had tortured a rape suspect in full view of the public, while the senior police officers present did nothing to prevent him. We rightly demanded that Lim, who perpetrated the torture and the policemen, who did nothing to stop the torture, be investigated for violation of the Anti-torture Act of 2009. The criminal liability under this law applies not only to public officials who commit torture but also those who knowingly allow it to happen and do nothing to prevent it.
In our previous statement, we also published the transcript of the video. By reading the transcript of the conversation between Lim and the suspect it was clear that the infliction of physical and psychological pain by Lim on the man was to extract a confession. In full view of the public, the suspect was forced to admit that he had raped, not one, but several women in separate incidents.
In response to our demand for a full investigation, without any reservations Lim defended his actions arguing as to why they were necessary and why he was not liable under the Anti-torture Law. In this report, Lim was quoted to have said:
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
#FREEourDEFENDERS! Poster out soon
Government keeps denying the existence of political
prisoners. We need to assert the truth! Join us in a call to #FREEOURDEFENDERS!
Free all political prisoners!
In previous
statement, PNoy’s spokesperson Lacierda declared that ‘We have no political
prisoners.’ Then the Department of
Justice (DOJ) failed to deliver Government’s commitment to look into the plight
of all victims of political incarceration as a result of the hunger strike more
than one year ago. There’s unconfirmed
information that the existing mechanism for the release of alleged political
offenders (PCBREP) is to be dissolved by the government. If this information is
true then the Aquino Government has no intention to release political prisoners
through executive action.
While the
general public and even most advocates are not aware of the situation and
continuing violation of political incarceration and criminalization of
political offense, these violations are used to attack freedom of belief and
even human rights defenders.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Make Philippines Torture Free Zone!-UATC
Make Philippines Torture Free Zone!
On its seventh year, as it marks the June 26 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, members of the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines and various anti-torture advocates runs in the “Basta! Run Against Torture 7” (BRAT VII) to call on the government to make the Philippines a Torture Free Zone.
To make the Philippines a torture free zone, the UATC said “among others we need to ensure that all authorities including jail staff are fully aware of the Anti-Torture Law that reported violations will not be tolerated and will be investigated, and that perpetrators will be prosecuted.”
“While we laud the government on the enactment of the Anti-Torture Law (Republic Act No. 9745) in November 2009, but it has so far been implemented without diligence and effectiveness since many torture allegations have not been effectively investigated by authorities and detainees who are in custody do not have immediate access to legal and medical services,” Ernesto Anasarias, Executive Director of Balay Rehabilitation Center and UATC spokesperson said.
While noting that many agencies have a mandate to investigate complaints of torture and ill-treatment, the UATC is concerned at the high number of complaints of torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, the limited number of investigations carried out by the government in such cases, and the very limited number of convictions in those cases which are investigated.
The group reiterates its concerns on the increasing complaints in relation to the implementation of the Anti-Torture Law which has revealed various different deficiencies from documentation, investigation to prosecution of torture cases, which embolden perpetrators in doing acts of torture.
“The authorities’ partiality not to comply with the Anti-Torture Law runs in the ‘institutional impunity’ we have right now. Take the recent case where Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim including a senior police officer, interrogated a rape suspect in full view of the public, as Mayor Lim extracted a confession and forced the suspect to admit he had raped a woman, clearly violated the Anti-Torture Law,” Max de Mesa, Chairperson of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) claimed.
The group underscored the necessity that for the government to make the Philippines a torture free zone, it should publicly announce a clear policy of “total elimination" of all acts of torture.
The UATC-Philippines is led by Amnesty International-Philippines, Balay Rehabilitation Center, Medical Action Group (MAG) and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP). Other human rights groups also joined the run like PAHRA and Organisation Mondiale Contra la Torture (OMCT) or World Organization Against Torture.-end
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| Photo by MAG |
On its seventh year, as it marks the June 26 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, members of the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines and various anti-torture advocates runs in the “Basta! Run Against Torture 7” (BRAT VII) to call on the government to make the Philippines a Torture Free Zone.
To make the Philippines a torture free zone, the UATC said “among others we need to ensure that all authorities including jail staff are fully aware of the Anti-Torture Law that reported violations will not be tolerated and will be investigated, and that perpetrators will be prosecuted.”
“While we laud the government on the enactment of the Anti-Torture Law (Republic Act No. 9745) in November 2009, but it has so far been implemented without diligence and effectiveness since many torture allegations have not been effectively investigated by authorities and detainees who are in custody do not have immediate access to legal and medical services,” Ernesto Anasarias, Executive Director of Balay Rehabilitation Center and UATC spokesperson said.
While noting that many agencies have a mandate to investigate complaints of torture and ill-treatment, the UATC is concerned at the high number of complaints of torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, the limited number of investigations carried out by the government in such cases, and the very limited number of convictions in those cases which are investigated.
The group reiterates its concerns on the increasing complaints in relation to the implementation of the Anti-Torture Law which has revealed various different deficiencies from documentation, investigation to prosecution of torture cases, which embolden perpetrators in doing acts of torture.
“The authorities’ partiality not to comply with the Anti-Torture Law runs in the ‘institutional impunity’ we have right now. Take the recent case where Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim including a senior police officer, interrogated a rape suspect in full view of the public, as Mayor Lim extracted a confession and forced the suspect to admit he had raped a woman, clearly violated the Anti-Torture Law,” Max de Mesa, Chairperson of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) claimed.
The group underscored the necessity that for the government to make the Philippines a torture free zone, it should publicly announce a clear policy of “total elimination" of all acts of torture.
The UATC-Philippines is led by Amnesty International-Philippines, Balay Rehabilitation Center, Medical Action Group (MAG) and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP). Other human rights groups also joined the run like PAHRA and Organisation Mondiale Contra la Torture (OMCT) or World Organization Against Torture.-end
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