Obligation of each state to prevent and stop #enforceddisappearance.

Obligation of each state to prevent and stop #enforceddisappearance.

Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to investigate acts of enforced disappearance committed by persons or group of persons acting without the authorization, support or acquiescence of the state and bring those responsible to justice.

Know the convention…http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CED/Pages/ConventionCED.aspx

Justice for All Desaparecidos of the World! Sign and Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance NOW!

Nothing can justify enforced disappearance!

“No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification for enforced disappearance.”- Article 1 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

Justice for All Desaparecidos of the World!
Sign and Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance NOW! 

No one shall be subjected to enforced disappearance

No one shall be subjected to enforced disappearance.

The arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which place such a person outside the protection of the law.

Know the convention…http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CED/Pages/ConventionCED.aspx

Justice for All Desaparecidos of the World!

Sign and Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance NOW!

International Week of the Disappeared

Every last week of May, the international community commemorates the International Week of the Disappeared (IWD).

The commemoration of the IWD started in 1981. It was initiated by the Latin American Federation of Associations for Relatives of the Detained-Disappeared (FEDEFAM).

Justice for All Desaparecidos of the World!
Sign and Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance NOW!

[In the news] ‘Burgos case to serve as litmus test for AFP’-PhilStar.com

‘Burgos case to serve as litmus test for AFP’
By Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star)
May 4, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos will serve as the litmus test for the military’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Loretta Ann Rosales said yesterday.

Rosales made the statement in reaction to the move of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to file a Motion for Partial Reconsideration to the March 18 decision by the Court of Appeals that held Army Maj. Harry Baliaga responsible, and the AFP accountable, for the enforced disappearance of Burgos.

The military is asking the court to reverse its finding that the AFP, as an institution, failed to act with extraordinary diligence in the face of allegations that military personnel took Burgos on April 28, 2007.

“While everyone, including the military, is entitled to due process, asking the court for reconsideration on this specific point is a different thing and may be taken as an indication that the military as an institution is sticking to the story that Jonas fell victim to an internal CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) purge,” Rosales said.

Read full article @www.philstar.com

PHILIPPINES: The importance of arresting retired general Jovito Palparan Jr.-AHRC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-STM-075-2012
March 30, 2012

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission

PHILIPPINES: The importance of arresting retired general Jovito Palparan Jr.

In the streets of Metro Manila, it is common to see photographs or posters of missing persons posted on walls and electricity poles, with details of the missing person and how to contact the relatives looking for them. These families have taken it upon themselves to look for their loved ones, in the absence of any help from the government.

What is not common however, is the poster of Jovito Palparan Jr., a retired military general, also posted widely on public walls in Manila. He is not a missing person, but a person who went into hiding after the court issued arrest orders against him, to answer allegations of his and his men's involvement in the disappearance of two activists, Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in 2006 (See Story No. 86 for details). The inability of the government to arrest him is not surprising; in fact, him being actually arrested would be more of a surprise. (photo: Jovito Palparan's wanted poster in streets of Manila)

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.

EDITORIAL - Manhunt for Palparan

EDITORIAL - Manhunt for Palparan
(The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2011

How hard is it to find a prominent fugitive in this country? Hard enough for the government to dangle a reward of P500,000 for information leading to the capture of retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan. The man who reinvented himself as a party-list representative upon his retirement from the military has disappeared since his arrest was ordered by the Bulacan Regional Trial Court shortly before Christmas Day.

Palparan is wanted in connection with the disappearance of University of the Philippines student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006. The two, who remain missing, were reportedly tortured and detained at an Army camp in Central Luzon when Palparan was the Army’s commander in the area. Palparan has denied involvement in the disappearance of the students.

The last time Palparan was seen, according to the National Bureau of Investigation, he was in the company of heavily armed men. Palparan owns a security agency. He had tried to fly to Singapore on Dec. 19 through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga, shortly after the Department of Justice ordered his indictment for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. After being barred from leaving, he disappeared.

Read more @ www.philstar.com

Statement of Edita T. Burgos, Mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos on the CHR report/Recommendation-freejonasburgosmovement.blogspot.com

 Source: http://freejonasburgosmovement.blogspot.com/

After almost four years of waiting we see a glimmer of hope. The report of the Commission of Human Rights is now in the hands of the Supreme Court. Our theory has been right all along. The evidence gathered by the CHR confirms our family’s theory that the Philippine Army is involved in the abduction of my son and elements of the police and military are covering up to hide the identity of the abductors and those involved. We believe, however, that 1st Lt. Harry Baliaga will not act without orders from higher authorities.

We laud the brave investigators of the Commission led by Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag for their exhaustive investigation.

Burgos Family Urges Government, AFP to Surface Jonas After CHR Found Army Culpable - Bulatlat

Burgos Family Urges Government, AFP to Surface Jonas After CHR Found Army Culpable - Bulatlat

Military officer in Burgos kidnap relieved - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Military officer in Burgos kidnap relieved - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Military officer in Burgos kidnap relieved

By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:32:00 03/23/2011

Filed Under: Human Rights, Justice & Rights, Military, Kidnapping, Missing Persons, Crime

MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. has recalled from his post an Army major implicated in the April 2007 abduction of missing activist Jonas Burgos in anticipation of a criminal investigation.

Maj. Harry Baliaga was relieved of his duties at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City and was ordered to report to the Fort Bonifacio Army headquarters, as instructed by Oban, according to AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr.

UN human rights experts study more than 200 cases of forced disappearances

Jeremy Sarkin, chairman of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances [photo http://www.un.org]

UN human rights experts study more than 200 cases of forced disappearances

21 March 2011 – The United Nations human rights experts tasked with assisting families determine the fate or whereabouts of disappeared relatives examined over 200 cases during its recent session held in Mexico City, and is now conducting a mission to learn about Mexico’s efforts in dealing with the issue.

CHR asks SC to hold AFP accountable in Burgos case | The Philippine Star News Headlines

http://fjordz-hiraya.blogspot.com

CHR asks SC to hold AFP accountable in Burgos case | The Philippine Star News Headlines

CHR asks SC to hold AFP accountable in Burgos case
By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Updated March 19, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the Supreme Court (SC) to grant the petition seeking to hold the military accountable for the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos nearly four years ago.

In a 49-page report following its investigation as ordered by the SC last year, the CHR recommended the issuance of a writ of amparo ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to produce the body of Burgos before the court.

Burgos, son of the late press freedom fighter Joe Burgos, went missing on April 28, 2007 after several gunmen dragged him to a waiting Toyota Revo van whose license plates were traced to another vehicle earlier impounded by the military in Bulacan.

PNoy urged to sign covenant vs enforced disappearance

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=20592
PIA Press Release
Saturday, March 05, 2011


PNoy urged to sign covenant vs enforced disappearance
by Aileen Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY, Mar 5 (PIA) – City aldermen here are urging President Benigno S. Aquino III to sign the International Convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance and to certify the same to the Senate for ratification.

The body approved a resolution authored by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Councilor Karminn Cheryl Dinney Yangot.

In her measure, Yangot said the United Nations International Convention for the Protection of All Persons From Enforced Disappearance entered into force in December last year and the said Convention calls on States parties to investigate acts of enforced disappearance and make accountable those who are responsible, to criminalize enforced disappearance of a person, and to guarantee that victims of enforced disappearance or those directly affected by it will have the right to compensation and other forms of reparation.

Concern about the enforced disappearance of a Human Rights Defender

Concern about the enforced disappearance of a Human Rights Defender

Thursday, 03 March 2011 07:55

Pattani Razeek. Photo source: http://www.humanrights.asia Dear Inspector General of Police, SRI LANKA: Disappearance of FORUM-ASIA Executive Committee Member Pattani Razeek - prime suspect has not been arrested Name of the Victim: Mr. Pattani Razeek of No. 70, Sameeragama, Kottantivu, Puttalam, Sri Lanka Alleged Perpetrators: Mr. Shabdeen Nowshadh Date of latest incident: 11 February, 2010 Place of incident: Polonnaruwa North Central Province. I would like to raise my serious concerns on the further information that I have received in the case of Mr. Pattani Razeek of No. 70, Sameeragama, Kottantivu, Puttalam. Mr. Razeek was a well known human rights defender in Sri Lanka and Asia. At the time of his alleged disappearance, he was the Managing Trustee of the Community Trust Fund (CTF) and was an Executive Committee Member of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA). Mr. Razeek has been missing since he was apparently abducted on 11 February 2010 in the town of Polonnaruwa, North Central Province in Sri Lanka. He may have been the victim of an enforced disappearance. The state authorities have not shown any interest in either investigating or arresting the main suspect in the case despite credible evidence being provided by the relatives. It is believed that this failure is due to the influence of powerful politician in the area.

Extra legal killings, enforced disappearances rampant | Sun.Star

Extra legal killings, enforced disappearances rampant | Sun.Star

EXTRA legal killings and enforced disappearances are rampant and remain unsolved in Eastern Visayas, according to a federation of human rights organizations working directly on the issue of involuntary disappearances in Asia.

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (Afad) research and documentation officer Darwin B. Mendiola said Thursday that from November 1985 to September 2010, at least 118 victims of extra legal killings and enforced disappearances have been documented in the region.

“The real number of extra-legal killings in the region and in other parts of the country escapes exact determination. Regardless, however, of the true body count, the mere fact that there are so many extra legal killings is by itself a cause for alarm,” Mendiola said in a forum sponsored by the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College (UPVTC) in partnership with the Ateneo Human Rights Center.