Torture, extra-judicial killings (EJKs), and enforced disappearance in the Philippines and the UN HRC Universal Periodic Review

IN 1997, and again in 2002, reforms in the United Nations gained ground in Geneva and New York, respectively. These reforms came in the heels of then-Secretary General Kofi Annan’s challenge to the UN’s “continued significance” in the face of 21st century realities. He called for improvements in how the UN conducts its work, implements its mandate and manages the funds entrusted to it by its Member States in order to bring human rights to all peoples of the world.

These reforms took a significant turn during the General Assembly’s 60th session. The world’s leaders adopted UNGA Resolution 60/251 on the 15th of March 2006, which created the Human Rights Council (HRC). The HR Council is now a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, taking over the role of the Commission on Human Rights, which was created under article 68 of the UN Charter on Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The HRC was mandated to conduct a Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism to evaluate each member state’s human rights commitments. The said review shall be a cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialog, with the full involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to its capacity-building needs. The UPR is intended to complement and not duplicate the work of treaty bodies.

Read more about UPR @ Renato Mabunga, PhD's Blog Free Zone

Excerpts from Joint Civil Society Report for the 2nd Cycle

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

This submission was prepared through facilitation of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) with assistance of the Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights) in coordination with sixty-three (63) civil society organizations (see annex 1).

Four (4) national workshops and consultations1 including one with Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) were conducted to gather inputs and recommendations for this report.

Read and access the complete report @ www.philippinehumanrights.org

Torture, extra-judicial killings (EJKs), and enforced disappearance

From 2008-2011, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) documented 23 cases of EJKs claiming 30 victims; and 105 cases of torture with 163 victims while Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) documented 79 victims - 50 surfaced alive; 24 still missing; and 5 found dead.

Atty. Al Parreno, in recent study10 documented 31 cases of EJKs from 2008 to August 15, 2010 with 8 incidences under Aquino administration. The same research unearthed 305 cases from 2001-August 2010 of which 32% of victims were human rights defenders (HRDs). From same 305 EJK cases, 56.29% were filed before prosecutors, 33.22% prosecuted, 32.52% tried in court, and only 1.05% had convictions. In short, 99% of 305 cases surveyed remain unsolved.

Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture THE PHILIPPINES

COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Forty-second session Geneva,
27 April-15 May 2009

ADVANCED UNEDITED VERSION

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION


Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture

THE PHILIPPINES

1. The Committee considered the second periodic report of the Philippines (CAT/C/PHL/2) at its 868th and 871st meetings (CAT/C/SR.868 and 871), held on 28 and 29 April 2009, and adopted, at its 887th and 888th meetings (CAT/C/SR.887 and 888), the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the second periodic report of the Philippines, which, while generally following the Committee’s guidelines for reporting, lacks statistical information and practical information on the implementation of the provisions of the Convention and relevant domestic legislation. The Committee regrets that the report was submitted 16 years late.

3. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the extensive written responses to its list of issues (CAT/C/PHL/Q/2/Add.1), which provided important additional information. The Committee also appreciates the comprehensive and fruitful dialogue conducted with the high-level delegation and the additional oral information provided by representatives of the State party during the consideration of the report.

for the complete text press link:
Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture
THE PHILIPPINES