UN HR experts score RP gov’t on discrimination denials

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