Arroyo signs Anti-Torture Law

President Arroyo yesterday signed into law the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 in Malacañang, obligating her government to provide protection to Filipinos’ human rights by going after perpetrators of such acts of abuse.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the signing of the proposed law by the President demonstrate her commitment to human rights.

”This is a concrete demonstration of this administration’s commitment to human rights,” Remonde stressed.

The President signed Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 as the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Under the new law, stiffer penalties were provided ranging from arresto mayor (imprisonment) to reclusion perpetua (life sentence) depending on the gravity of the offense.

The Anti-Torture Act of 2009 also provides a detained person the right to physical, medical and or psychological examination, before and after interrogation, and the right to immediate access to proper and adequate medical treatment.

The new law also provides victims of torture institutional protection, a prompt and impartial investigation by the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Justice, the Public Attorneys Office, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and sufficient government protection and security against all forms of harassment.

Under the law, the government will also provide a rehabilitation program and compensation of not less than P10,000 to victims of torture or their families. –PNA