EU satisfied with Aquino govt’s human rights program

MANILA, Philippines — Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the European Union is “satisfied” with the administration’s human rights program, citing the “notable reduction” in extrajudicial killings over the last two years.

At a news conference at Camp Crame Thursday, Ledoux thanked the government for its “cooperation with the European Union especially in the campaign for the promotion of human rights” and other interest sectors such as health.

The press conference, at which Ledoux was joined by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, was called to launch the EU-Philippine Justice Support Program II, or EPJUST II.

“We very much appreciate the trust given by the Philippine government. The reason we have EPJUST II is that the assessment of EPJUST I has been positive,” Ledoux said.

EPJUST II will be implemented around the theme, “Justice for All: Enhancing Accessibility, Fighting Impunity” through a 10-million euro (P570-million) grant from the EU.

The funds, said Ledoux, will also fund some programs of the Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Commission on Human Rights.

“Of course, this amount of money is not going to change the situation overnight,” he acknowledged. “It’s a long-term commitment. Reforms are needed but with this project putting the seeds for the improvement of the situation and other elements.”

Decrease in EJKs

Ledoux also said they were impressed at the decrease in extrajudicial killings over the past two years, although he hesitated to credit the EPJUST for this.

“Of course, I don’t claim that the EU project had impacted all this but, somewhere along the way also is the policy of President Aquino who pushed the issue of human rights high on his agenda (and) shows that progress (is) being made in this field,” Ledoux said.

“I have looked at the report of the CHR which describes a very significant decrease of the number of extrajudicial killings in the past two years. This is the most important aspect that I would like to highlight,” he added.

While saying he would “like that this phenomenon disappears all together,” he added that, “what’s important is that the trend is correct and if the trend continues on the same level as it has been in the same two years we will probably see the end of this phenomenon in a few years. That’s the most important.”

Police corruption

Meanwhile, Ledoux said he had a different take on the recent Transparency International survey that had respondents tagging the Philippine National Police as the most corrupt institution in the country.

“I did not read that the PNP was the most corrupt. The survey is an international survey that is covering many countries … and there is undoubtedly some level of
corruption in the PNP. But what you failed to mention is that the survey also makes an interview of people whether they feel that the level of corruption has decreased over the past two or three years,” he said. “And what is important is the reply of the public is that they have the feeling that the level of corruption in the PNP had decreased in the last two years. So this is a very good sign and I think as long as this trend is maintained the PNP is on the right track,” he added. –Jaime Sinapit, InterAksyon.com