MANILA, Philippines – The New York-based Human Rights Watch yesterday said that the absence of successful prosecution of human rights violations highlights the broader problems on extra-judicial killings facing the Aquino administration.
Although it recognized that conviction of human rights abusers rests with the courts, Elaine Pearson, Asia Division deputy director of Human Rights Watch, said most cases of serious human rights violations do not even make it to trial.
She said the police fail to follow up and actually arrest suspects while the military continues to obstruct investigations.
It cited the case of retired General Jovito Palparan. “We praised the administration for bringing charges, but this is not enough to bring him to custody so that he can receive a fair trial.”
“There’s a lot more that President Aquino can do to address the barriers to successful prosecutions,” Pearson said.
According to Pearson, the President should order the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate police and military personnel who have been implicated in the killings.
Aquino was urged to order the military to cooperate with civilian authorities investigating military abuses or face sanctions.
Immediate steps should also be taken by the President to ensure that the government’s witness protection program is independent, accessible, and properly funded.
Since he assumed office two years ago, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that Aquino has not fulfilled his promise to hold accountable the security forces responsible for serious abuses.
Human Rights Watch said the Aquino government has not successfully prosecuted a single case of extrajudicial killing or enforced disappearance, including those committed during his presidency.
The group released a video, “Philippines: No Justice for Victims of Enforced Disappearances,” in which family members of the “disappeared” called on the President to live up to his promise of justice. –Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star)
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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