Human Rights Online Philippines features articles, blogs, news information and photos on human rights issues. It provides up-to-date information on human rights activities, events, campaigns, and solidarity actions in the Philippines. It aims not only to put human rights at the center of national discourse through digital media but also to elicit response from the public.

This week has been news and activity-filled information based on different thematic issues, sectoral concerns and other crosscutting problems.

1.PALEA Strike

The PALEA strike hit the mainstream and online news more than the rage of typhoon Pedring.  The PALEA members conducted a sit-in protest to decry the impending plan of the PAL management for outsourcing and imminent displacement of regular PAL workers.

In support of the PALEA action to protect and respect the workers rights, HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post statements, activities and events that dealt with this labor issue which is reflective of the existing unfair labor policies and practices in the country.

Posted articles:

[Statement] TFDP GA Statement of Support for PALEA
[Press Release] PAL outsourcing plan is economic sabotage – Akbayan
[Press Release] PALEA: PNoy should push PAL to open talks to resolve issue not threaten protesting workers
[Press Release] Current labor policies worse than martial law – labor groups
[Press Release] PALEA says protest continues, vows fight not over
[Statement] Pnoy Liable for PAL Labor Rights Violations – NGO-PO Network on ESC Rights
[Press Release] PALEA dismisses economic sabotage, illegal strike cases; announces big protest tomorrow
[Press Release] Don’t fly PAL! Oppose contractualization! –Sanlakas Youth
[Press Release] Church groups to hold solidarity forum on PALEA
[Press Release] PALEA slams PAL for employing scabs
[Press Release] PALEA marks 65th anniversary with vow to defeat PAL’ union busting scheme
[Press Release] PALEA: SC final decision on FASAP case bolsters petition vs. outsourcing
[Press Release] PALEA holds human chain protest as it claims employees have defied outsourcing plan

2.Martial Law

The 39th Anniversary of Martial Law also gained the spotlight of public interest for the past week as human rights groups and other sectors commemorated this event with discontent that after 39 years nothing has changed and even under the present administration of President Benigno Aquino III, human rights violations continue to happen under a prevailing climate impunity.

HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post statements, news, historical trivia and events on Martial Law anniversary.

Posted articles:

[Statement] Never again to martial law! Continue to uphold, defend and advance our basic rights!- SANLAKAS
[Statement] Preservation and turn-over of ML documents, a step towards combating, and eventually ending, impunity – PAHRA
[Press Release] Civil Society to PNoy: Eradicate the shadows of Martial Law by releasing political prisoners and ending impunity
[Statement] Breaking Impunity will end the Legacy of Martial Law – AFAD
[Press Release] Civil Society to PNoy: Eradicate the shadows of Martial Law by releasing political prisoners and ending impunity
[Press Release] Youth group to conduct national truth campaign to remind people of Marcos atrocities
[Statement] Martial Law’s Remnants after 39 years
[Blogger] The Lesson of History – Carpe Diem

3. Mining

Mining related issues continue to elicit public concern not only on its direct impact to the affected community but also on its irreparable damage to environment.

Thus HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post issues, events and statements that highlight the social-economic and evironmental impact of mining industries in the country.

Posted articles:

[Press Release] International and local experts lambast SMI consultants Say Tampakan mining project has high potential for loss of life and environmental damage – alyansatigilmina.net
[Featured Photos] Alyansa Tigil Mina in action
[Press Release] Greens ask: If DENR doesn’t, who will?

4. Socio- economic insecurity

The country has been experiencing insecurity in almost all aspects of social life particularly on the guarantee of the standard of living. The deregulated oil prices have not only affected the transport sector but even the ordinary households as it affects the prices of the basic commodities and reduces basic social services.

HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post issues, events, and statements that assert the people’s basic economic and social rights.

Posted articles:
[Event] I Blackout against power hike!
[Featured Photos] Community staged picket against power rates hike – FDC
[Event] Protest rally to smash light-bulbs on NAPOCOR SEAL – SANLAKAS
[Press Release] CWS supports the people’s protest vs. oil price increases
[Press Release] Which is worse? The inability to paralyze transport or government inaction to the pleas of the people? – PMT

5.Civil and political rights

The rights to life and freedom are inherent and non-derogable rights. The Philippine Constitution guarantees our Bills of Rights but unfortunately succeeding governments since the Marcos regime have disregarded these rights in the name of peace and security.

Thus, HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post issues, opinions, news and events which show the curtailment and repression of civil and political rights of the people in asserting their social and economic rights.

Posted articles:

[Urgent Appeal] Torture in the Philippines & the unfulfilled promise of the 1987 Constitution
[From the web] A unique regional initiative: The Asian Alliance against Torture and Ill-Treatment
[Events] Manindigan para sa Kapayapaan – Peace Month Celebration

6. Gender rights and issues

Recognizing the individual sexual orientation and gender rights is not only a recognition of individual right of choice but also of the basic human existence. Until now, individual is continuously discriminated, despised and violated for being different and for asserting their own identity.

HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post news and events concerning the LGBTs.

Posted articles:

[Statement] Statement of the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch concerning the position of President Aquino on LGBT Rights
[Announcement] Advocacy shirts from the Youth and Students Advancing Gender Equality

7. Celebrating Life

Remembering those people who sacrificed their lives so that freedom and democracy live in this country is one form of the celebration of life.

HRonlinePH deemed it necessary to post news, events and statements that show that while our life is still not easy and our aspiration remains a dream, there are always reasons to celebrate. So Let’s Party!

Posted articles:

[Event] Rock for Peace – Dakila
[Event] Bente Singko: A Festival of Memories, A Creation of New Stories – http://www.tfdp.net
[Trivia] Lean Alejandro (July 10, 1960 — September 19, 1987)