#HumanRights #Youth UNITY MANIFESTO
National Youth Summit on Human Rights 2020

We, participants of the 2020 National Youth Summit for human rights, acknowledge the chronic crises besetting the Filipino nation. We suffer the burden of oppression and poverty brutalizing our people, and witness the callous neglect by the government of its obligation to protect and fulfill the needs and interests of the people;

We realize that the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic, re-emerging diseases, failing economy and climate induced catastrophes seriously impact our future as members and leaders of a safe, peaceful and progressive society. Moreover, we recognize that the collusion of corporate greed with a changing set of corrupt, elite rulers perpetuate old injustices which keep our country in grinding poverty and exacerbate inequality;

We are alarmed that instead of enforcing relevant responses, the government continues to engage in political squabbles, shameless displays of privilege, abuse of authority, misappropriation of resources, misogyny and widespread disinformation. A culture of impunity has permeated our lives, as public officials remain unaccountable for their foul and insensitive behavior;

The state sponsored dismantling of civic spaces and erosion of our democratic institutions, as well as the ‘warfare’ on critical voices have drastically reduced our people’s ability to inform on their real situation, raise their demands, participate in concrete action, improve their plight and remedy their suffering.

Thus, our generation stands at a momentous juncture.

Our historic role in catalyzing revolts towards the liberation of the people from hunger and tyranny, is owed to our characteristically inquisitive and critical thinking, courageous and innovative spirit as well as our creative expression. We have the biggest stake, and the brightest hope for a better future, which in turn we will bequeath our children;

History attests that the youth’s struggle against repression and injustice has delivered the country from colonial and authoritarian rule. That struggle continues today with the youth on the front lines, inspiring change.

And we believe that the cause for change, is a cause for human rights.

Human rights had been the first target of the government’s bloody war on the people. Our country’s fast descent into a socio-political, economic and environmental calamity resulted from the wholesale derogation of human rights. If we must rebuild on the ashes of war and disenfranchisement then we must rebuild on the foundations of dignity and human rights. They are what we come here to reclaim and restore.
We therefore, youth from the rural communities, ancestral domains, schools, urban neighborhoods, the streets, and workplaces, affirm our commitment to collectively forge onwards, to confront the challenges of our time; to engage the larger population, towards the strengthening of our people’s drive for a better life; to challenge the powerful with the truth and hold them accountable; to catalyze the nation into upheaval for freedom and democracy.

Our youth agenda demonstrates our vision for our country, where we shall thrive and foster peace and solidarity with peoples of all nations, towards the realization of all human rights for all.

#MyRightsYourRights

[FILIPINO] UNITY MANIFESTO
National Youth Summit on Human Rights 2020

Kami, mga kalahok ng 2020 National Youth Summit for Human Rights, ay kinikilala ang malalang krisis na kinalulugmukan ng bansang Pilipinas. Pasan namin ang bunton ng panunupil at kahirapang kalupitan sa mamamayan, at kami ay saksi sa tahasang pagtalikod ng pamahalaan sa obligasyon nitong protektahan at tugunan ang mga pangangailangan at interes ng sambayanan.

Batid namin na ang pagsubok na dala ng pandemyang ngayon lang natin naranasan, pag-sulpot muli ng mga dati nang mga sakit, pabulusok na ekonomiya at mga trahedyang bunsod ng pagbabago ng klima ay malaking sagka sa pangarap naming kinabukasan na kami’y kabahagi at lider ng isang lipunang ligtas, mapayapa at progresibo.

Kami’y nababahala na imbes na magsagawa ng makabuluhang mga tugon, ay tuloy lang at inuna pa ng pamahalaan bangayan sa pulitika, walang hiyang pagwasiwas ng pribilehiyo, pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan, maling paggamit sa mga rekurso, pagkapoot sa mga kababaihan at malawakang dis-impormasyon. Nanuot na sa buhay natin ang isang kultura ng impyunidad sa nagpapatuloy na kawalang pagpapanagot sa balahura at insensitibong pag-uugali ng mga pampublikong opisyal.

Ang paglansag sa mga espasyong sibiko at pagguho ng mga mga demokratikong institusyon sa basbas at pahintulot ng estado, kasabay ng “pag-giyera” sa mga kritikong boses ay pinahina ang kakayahan ng mamamayang ipaalam ang kanilang tunay na mga kalagayan, ipaabot ang kanilang mga panawagan, maging kalahok sa mga konkretong hakbang, mapabuti ang kanilang kalagayan at mabawasan ang kanilang pagdurusa.
Ang aming henerasyon ay nakatayo ngayon sa napakahalagang sandaling ito.

Ang aming makasaysayang papel sa pagpapahinog ng mga pag-aalsa tungong paglaya ng mamamayan mula sa gutom at tiraniya, ay utang sa aming likas na pagka-mausisa at kritikal na pag-iisip, matapang at pasulong na karakter, pati na ng aming pagkamalikhain. Pinakamalaki ang aming taya, at pinakamaningning ang pag-asa sa isang mas mabuting bukas, na ipamamana rin naming sa aming mga anak.

Pinatunayan ng kasaysayan na ang pakikibaka ng kabataan mula sa panunupil at kawalang-katarungan ang nag-ahon sa bayan mula sa kolonyal at awtoritaryang pamumuno. Nagpapatuloy ang pakikibakang ito sa kasalukuyan. Nananatiling nasa harapan ng labanan ang kabataang balon ng inspirayon tungong pagbabago.

At naniniwala kaming ang hangarin para sa pagbabago, ay hangarin para sa karapatang pantao.

Ang unang inasinta ng madugong giyera kontra sa mamamayan ng pamahalaan ay ang karapatang pantao. Ang mabilis na pagbulusok natin tungo sa isang sosyo-politikal, ekonomiko at pangkalikasang kalamidad ay bunga ng pakyawan na pag-balahura sa karapatang pantao. Kung nais nating makatayo muli mula sa abo ng giyera at kawalan, ay kailangang tuntungan nating pundasyon ang dignidad at karapatang pantao. Ang mga ito ang ating dapat bawiin at ipanumbalik.

Kung gayon, kaming mga kabataan mula sa kanayunan, lupang ninuno, paaralan, kalunsuran, sa mga lansangan, lugar ng trabaho, ay muling pinagtitibay ang aming pangakong nagkakaisang hahakbang pasulong, upang harapin ang mga pagsubok ng ating panahon, upang mapalahok ang mas malaking bilang ng mamamayan, tungong pagpapaibayo ng lakas ng pagnanais ng sambayanan sa pag-abot ng mas mabuting pamumuhay, para hamunin ang mga nasa kapangyarihan gamit ang katotohanan at sila’y panagutin, para pagkaisahin ang mamamayan tungong pagbalikwas para sa Kalayaan at demokrasya.

Ipinakikita ng aming “youth agenda” ang pangarap naming para sa bansa, kung saan magsisikap kaming pagyamanin ang kapayapaan at pakikiisa sa lahat ng mamamayan ng daigdig, tungong kaganapan ng karapatang pantao para sa lahat.

#MyRightsYourRights

Individuals
Emman Sejismundo
Dariel A. Santarita
Aljohn Llanos
Anjelyn Abordo
Hannah Jane Abordo
Libert Jon Fano
Mae Caballes
Kenneth Gascon
John Carlo Aldava
Princess Suico
Lara Jane Jimenez
Dorothy Nell Llanos
Ivy Jane Cantil
Maria Jance Tantoy
Jenelyn Lopez
Reemar B. Alonsagay
Princess Nicole M. Castro
Agustin F. San Andres, Jr.
Airam Tanparia
Guia Monica Mariano
Mariliza Antonio
Angelika Tafalla
Hania B. Para
Justine Micole Estonactoc
Marian Richelle Uy Lagdameo
Maria Leonora Z. Roja
Cris Pearl G. Rivera
Jhay de Jesus
Reden U. Perez
Angelika May H. Llarena
Alyssa Joy C. Bacsa
Angela Beatriz F. Macasieb
Patricia Mae D. Dumolong
Ian Jay G. Capati
Alexia Julieanne P. Fernandez
Sydney Dominic D. Roxas
Samwel Rasheed B. Tan
Kelvin Vistan
Ezekiel M. Sto. Domingo
Maxidy Bianca F. Sumera
Rea J. Foliente
Sophia O. Zapanta
Joshua Aguilar
Sophia Gayle Amoyen
Loida Bernabe
Gemma Galan
Jeric Parchejo
Jayneca Reyes
Egay Cabalitan
Rose Trajano
Kelvin Vistan
Niza Concepcion
Rommel Yamzon
Jefferson Clark Apostol
Katrina Navarro
Hannah Aika Lucero
Abbygail Dupale
Jonathan Suguitan
Ace Feliciano
Sophia Marie Aragon

Organizations

USREPS
HRYAN
A!Y- CDOx
Millennials PH – CDO
AKMK
Likhang Mulat – FEU Department of Communication
The Guilds
True Colors Coalition (TCC)
FSMJPIC-Young Franciscan Advocate
Akbayan Youth
Partido ng Manggagawa Kabataan (PM-Kabataan)
Reclaiming Marawi Movement Youth (RMM-Youth)
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND)
Young Human Rights Defenders (YHRD)
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (IDefend)
Human Rights OnlIne Philippines (HRonlinePH)
BALAOD Mindanaw
Youth for Rights (Y4R)
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)

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