UN HR experts score RP gov’t on discrimination denials

Published by rudy Date posted on August 21, 2009

The Philippines received a strong rebuke from United Nations human rights experts for claiming that discrimination does not exist in the Philippines, particularly in the case of thousands of civilians displaced by the armed conflict in strife-torn Mindanao.

UN experts also called the Arroyo government’s attention to the deteriorating status of displaced civilians in conflict-stricken Mindanao, their continued exposure to armed conflict and possible discrimination.

As they examined the Philippines’ compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) last Aug. 19 in Geneva, the UN experts noted that the presence of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country’s restive South, “brings another human rights dimension” to the issue as they pressed the Arroyo government to “consciously and effectively protect minority groups.”

One member, Ion Diaconu, told the government delegation that “the Committee has difficulty accepting statements of absolutely no discrimination from any country,” telling the Philippine government to take measures to make claims “in the light of reality.”

Experts said that the “lack of any complaints was not necessarily a good thing, as there could be many reasons for that.”

Experts said a general law that protects all Filipino citizens from racial discrimination is needed.

The body, made up of experts from 18 countries, reviewed the report submitted by the Philippine government in a two-day session held from Aug. 18 to 19 at the headquarters of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Switzerland. They met with a government delegation, a Commissioner from the Commission on Human Rights and members of civil society.

Other Committee experts raised questions and asked for further information on subjects pertaining to the protection of indigenous people and children in armed conflicts; the immigrant population residing in the country; the status of the Convention in the national legislation; the status of indigenous people living in municipalities; and the rights of people originating from autonomous Muslim regions.

They also asked the government panel to explain the content of the Philippine anti-terrorism law; the delegation’s position on the allegations by the Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, of torture and extra-judicial killings by the national police; access to ancestral lands; and sexual tourism.

In response, the Philippine panel, led by Ambassador Erlinda Basilio, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, said the Arroyo government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have expressed their desire to resume the peace process. The talks have been postponed again, since then, owing to yet another firefight with the Armed Forces and the Abu Sayyaf but joined in by the MILF..

Meanwhile, government security forces have retaken Mantangule Island in Palawan province from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members after eight hours of protracted firefight on Wednesday that resulted in the killing of at least 10 MNLF fighters, while five others were captured.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said among those killed was Abdullah Abdurajak, alias Pa Guru, the leader of the MNLF group which occupied Sitio Marabon, Mantangule Island since Saturday, terrorizing civilian populace through extortion and looting.

Of the fatalities, Arevalo said that only seven bodies were recovered while the three are still being searched after falling from a boat when they attempted to flee the island.

Arevalo said that a Marine was wounded during the clash that also resulted in the capture of five MNLF members and the recovery of several firearms.

“What transpired is a legitimate law-enforcement action against the MNLF group. At least three of them have standing warrants of arrest.

But MNLF chief Nur Misuari vowed to seek justice for the slain rebels, saying they were massacred by government forces for no justifiable reason at all. –Michaela P. del Callar with Mario J., Daily Tribune

July 2025

Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.

Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar.  Reject Military!

#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

July


3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 Ju
ly – International Plastic Bag Free Day
 
5 July –
World Youth Skills Day 
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day 
17 July – World Day for
International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons 


Monthly Observances:

Schools Safety Month

Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month

Weekly Observances:

Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week

 

Daily Observances:

First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines

Categories

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.