[Statement] Torture and the Protection of Human Rights Defenders – HRD-Pilipinas

[Every last week of June, the human rights community commemorates the International Day in Support for Victims of Torture. Here is one of the statements released for the said event by HRD-Pilipinas. HRonlinePH] (A statement of Solidarity on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture) June 26, 2011, Philippines Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas today…

Human Rights Online Philippines

June 21, 2011

3–4 minutes

Advocacy Organizations, Africa, Human Right, Human Rights and Liberties, Human rights defender, Philippine, Quezon City, Torture

(A statement of Solidarity on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture)

June 26, 2011, Philippines

Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas today joins the global community in commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Our solidarity on this important event comes in the context where human rights defenders in the Philippines and elsewhere are under attack. Peoples organizations are vilified as terrorists and enemies of the state. Their members, supporters and organizers are tagged as communists. Movements are watched; projects and actions are suspected. Human rights defenders are threatened, at risk and under surveillance.

We join the international appeal for the total abortion of the use of torture. We put forward a dream where human rights defenders are sincerely considered partners in the creation and foundation of a worldwide culture of human rights, peace and development; where torture becomes a thing of the past; and, where human rights defenders are protected in the conduct of their duties.

On this significant day, Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas takes the occasion to remind us all that torture has no place in a civilized society like ours. This is our protocol. This is our challenge. This is an urgent call in a country where torture is unconsciously accepted as the “standard operating procedure” of the security sector. Where, pain is induced without remorse to exact confession; to break victims, their families, friends and organizations; to cow human rights defenders from pursuing works for human rights, peace, justice and development.

A torture-free society is also a society of compassion. It seeks to eliminate cruel, degrading and inhuman conditions. It looks at the circumstance of prisoners and the state of their incarceration. We call for a special attention in the case of Mariano Umbrero, a prisoner of conscience with cancer now in fourth stage. Together with the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and the rest of the human rights community, we appeal for his immediate pardon or granting of executive clemency on humanitarian grounds. Due to his medical condition, his case needs urgent action; aside from the fact that no one shall be deprived of liberty based on political reasons.

Given our concrete condition today, we call for the reorientation of our institutions in the work for human rights, to include “all” particularly the protection and promotion of the rights of human rights defenders. In a functioning democracy, everybody has a responsibility to anybody; even ordinary citizen. Thus, protection for HRDs is a responsibility of EVERYBODY lest we forget that we live as a community.

For more information, contact: companion
Renato Mabunga, Chairperson, 437-8054, hrd.pilipinas@gmail.com
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Human Rights Defenders – Pilipinas
#45 St. Mary Street, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel. # (632) 437-8054 Fax: (632) 911-3643