One year into the Aquino administration and the promise of change in
terms of human rights protection, promotion and respect has yet to be
realized.

Even more ironic is that initiatives to end impunity through tie ups
with state security forces (AFP, PNP) and civil society organizations
has gained little headway and precious little concrete gains for the
families of the tortured, the disappeared and even victims of
extra-judicial executions or killings (EJKs).

For instance:

•       Promising to submit necessary papers to the Commission on Human
Rights on pressing human rights cases way back last March 2011 and the
AFP and PNP has yet to do so.

•       Delayed NAPOLCOM investigation against Colonel Mukaram and his role
in the first documented torture case in the Aquino administration.

There is also the rise in what could only constitute as torture of
whole communities- creating an atmosphere of fear, anxiety and unease
with so-called notices of summons from state security agents,
invitations to military camps/ detachments and vilification campaigns
against legitimate people’s organizations.

Not only civil and political rights but economic, social and cultural
rights are also violated, as exemplified by the current situation of
the twenty one thousand workers at Hanjin shipyard in Subic, Zambales.

The culture of impunity which was bred and cultivated in the previous
Arroyo administration has not ended.

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), DEFEND
Central Luzon, Ateneo Human Rights Centre (AHRC), UP Law Student
Government and Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya ( KPD) will
jointly issue their verdict on Pnoy’s First Year as President.

We Invite Media Friends to Cover a press conference on July 8, 2011
(FRIDAY) @ Max’s Restaurant (M. Orosa St. Near U.N. Avenue) from 10am
to 12nn.

Panel will feature:
•       PAHRA Chairperson Max De Mesa
•       Attorney RP Santiago of AHRC
•       Representatives from Task Force Detainees the Philippines, AMA (a
peasant organization) and UP Law Student Government

For more info contact Rose (PAHRA) 0906 5531792 or DJ (KPD) 0923 8161971

Related articles

• [Blogger] Pnoy’s first year not a straight path for people’s rights and welfare – dars0357.wordpress.com (hronlineph.wordpress.com)
• [Press Release] Human Rights Groups challenge AFP to implement stand on absolute prohibition of torture- PAHRA (hronlineph.wordpress.com)
• [Statement] Position paper on the national Monitoring Mechanism (NMM) – PAHRA (hronlineph.wordpress.com)
• [Press Release] An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales, chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines – AHRC (hronlineph.wordpress.com)
• [Event] Basta! Run Against Torture (BRAT V) – United Against Torture Coalition (hronlineph.wordpress.com)