Author Archives: Human Rights Online Philippines

[Campaign] “Stop Child Labour” | DKA

Dear all,

Greetings from Vienna. We hope this mail finds you well! I´m happy to invite you to join our campaign…find all infos below.

As in the previous years, DKA Austria has launched the campaign “Stop Child Labour” in an alliance with different NGOs in the run-up to June 12, the International Day against Child Labour. Through various activities, we are calling on European politicians to pass a strong European Supply Chain Act that effectively combats child labour and other human rights violations.

Under the title “Code Word Stop Child Labour” we ask our supporters to make so-called reverse graffiti in public spaces. They are created by partially cleaning a dirty surface with the help of a stencil. You can see how this works in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6yq_pMmL7A

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[Statement] “It’s Time for Immediate Action: A Challenge to the New Health Secretary on Tackling the Persistent Health Crisis” | MAG

MAG STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW HEALTH SECRETARY
June 6, 2023

“It’s Time for Immediate Action: A Challenge to the New Health Secretary on Tackling the Persistent Health Crisis”

The Medical Action Group (MAG) welcomes the appointment of Dr. Ted Herbosa, a renowned expert on emergency medicine and public-private partnership in health, as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). After a year of the Marcos administration, healthcare has seemingly taken a backseat to other government priorities. But with the appointment of a health professional with DOH experience at the helm of the national health agency, expectations are high that he will translate his experience to doing what is best for the health system of the country – which is to work comprehensively to deliver on the promise of the universal health care – that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need without financial hardship.”

It is a matter of fact that the Philippine public health system is in dire need of improvement. Limited access to healthcare has resulted in preventable illnesses and deaths of many Filipinos.

As the new health secretary, it is now his duty to address these inadequacies and decays in the public health system. MAG as a health and human rights organization, recommends that the new health secretary make a firm resolve to:

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[Statement] Pahayag ng TDC hinggil sa data gathering ng DEPED para sa National Learning Camp sa paparating na bakasyon

Pahayag ng TDC hinggil sa data gathering ng DEPED para sa National Learning Camp sa paparating na bakasyon

Malinaw naman na ang mga guro ay entitled sa dalawang buwang school break (summer break) at iyan ay ginagarantiyahan ng mga panuntunan at kautusan ng CSC at DepEd mula pa noong pahanong hindi pa ipinapanganak ang marami sa atin. Wala kasi tayong paid vacation at sick leave na mayroon ang ibang kawani, pampubliko man o pribado.

Ibig sabihin nito, anumang trabaho na ipagagawa sa atin sa panahon ng bakasyon ay dapat voluntary at dapat ding tumbasan ng additional compensation gaya ng service credits o overtime pay. Napakahalaga kasi ng school break. Ito nag panahon na maaaring makapagpahinga at makapaghanda para sa susunod na school year ang mga bata at ang mga guro matapos ang sampung buwan ng pagpasok sa eskwela. Kakaiba pa ngayon sapagkat nakaranas tayo ng matinding init na lalong nagbigay-pasakit sa lahat.

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[Video] Dapat Ligtas ang lahat sa Torture na Marahas | TFDP

Ipinagbabawal ng RA 9745 o Anti-Torture Act of 2009 ang paggamit ng torture sa kahit na sinong indibidwal.

Itinuturing ito bilang isang krimen at paglabag sa karapatang pantao, hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi maging sa ibang panig ng mundo.

Upang tuluyang labanan ang torture, itinakda ng United Nations ang petsang June 26 bilang Araw ng Pandaigdigang Pagkilala at Pagsuporta sa mga Biktima ng Torture.

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[Press Release] EcoWaste Coalition: Online Trade of Cosmetics with Mercury Endangers Health and the Environment

Press Release
EcoWaste Coalition: Online Trade of Cosmetics with Mercury Endangers Health and the Environment

In time for the World Environment Day on June 5 and the mid-year online sales on June 6, the toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition urged online shopping leaders and dealers to protect human health and the ecosystems from mercury contamination.

The group specifically called for concrete measures to stop the use of e-commerce as a vehicle to flout the global ban on the manufacture, import or export of cosmetics such as skin lightening products with mercury content above one part million (ppm) as per the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

“As we urge our fellow Filipinos to say no to chemical whiteners and embrace our natural skin tone, we call on Lazada and Shopee to take effective actions to discontinue the use of their platforms by third-party sellers to promote and sell skin lightening products containing mercury, which can endanger the health of users and other household members, as well as contaminate the ecosystems as mercury from these products is discharged into waste water,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

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[Statement] on World Environment Day | ATM

Statement on World Environment Day

In celebration of World Environment Day, members of Alyansa Tigil Mina are mobilizing in different parts of the country this week to highlight the environmental destruction caused by mining and to demand a halt to destructive mining operations.

“The push for the revitalization of the mining industry by the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. imperils our natural resources and local communities,” said Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator.

“As an extractive industry, mining has irreversible environmental impacts. In many Sites of Struggles (SoS), mining destroys the biodiversity, water sources, and ecosystems of the region as well as the livelihoods of the people. Even protected areas such as Mount Guiting-guiting in Sibuyan Island, Romblon and Mount Mantalingahan in Brooke’s Point, Palawan are affected by mining operations,” Garganera said.

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[People] The US must curb rights abuse to keep the basesby | Fr. Shay Cullen

The US must curb rights abuse to keep the bases
by Fr. Shay Cullen

It is highly unusual for the office of President Joe Biden in the White House to speak out directly and offer condolences to a victim of human rights violations in the Philippines with whom it is strengthening military cooperation by occupying nine Philippine military bases.

The recent gruesome murder of Alex Dolorosa, a young dedicated and committed Filipino labor rights worker, was brutally murdered in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. It is one of many murders of human rights workers that have continued to shock the international human rights community. Alex was a committed human rights worker, one of the young leaders that this country needs to challenge the evil exploitation and oppression of workers as guaranteed by the constitution.

Many international and Philippine human rights organizations are one in condemning the brutal murder of Alex Dolorosa and of hundreds of others that have happened in recent years. The United States spokesperson at the office of President Joe Biden at the White House issued a message, “We extend our condolences to Dolorosa’s family and friends, as well as the greater international labor union and LGBTQI+ communities who loved him.” This following an official visit by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Philippines, once known as a truly Christian country for its gentle, kind-hearted, and welcoming people, has become known in recent years as a killing field for extra-judicial murders. Once a beacon of hope for the rule of law in a democratic society, it is now a country that has one of the worst records of human rights violations in Asia because of a small group of killers operating with impunity.

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[From the web] Labor and Environmental Groups Demand Listing of Chrysotile Asbestos in Rotterdam Convention

Labor and Environmental Groups Demand Listing of Chrysotile Asbestos in Rotterdam Convention

As the 2023 meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions get underway in Geneva, Switzerland, Filipino groups championing labor and chemical safety rights appealed to governments to include chrysotile asbestos among the hazardous chemicals that can only be traded with prior informed consent (PIC) of the importing country.

In a joint press release, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and the EcoWaste Coalition urged the few countries blocking the listing of chrysotile asbestos under Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention to join the majority of countries seeking global consensus to control the international trade in chrysotile asbestos.

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[From the web] BAN Toxics calls for the protection of workers from hazardous chemicals in time for Labor Day

BAN Toxics calls for the protection of workers from hazardous chemicals in time for Labor Day

Environmental justice group BAN Toxics highlights workers’ occupational exposure to toxic chemicals and calls for the protection and advancement of the people’s right to chemical safety as the world celebrates International Labor Day.

As the production and use of chemicals increase yearly, the impacts of hazardous chemicals on workers especially in low- and middle-income countries is a growing concern as the risks of significant health effects increase.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), over a billion workers globally are exposed to hazardous substances in the world of work, with an estimated of almost one million workers losing their lives each year. Health effects include cardiovascular disease, cancers, and respiratory diseases among others.

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[Petition] Release former Senator Leila de Lima Now!!

Release former Senator Leila de Lima Now!!

February 24, 2023

His Excellency
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Malacanang Palace

Through
Honorable Jesus Crispin Remulla
Secretary of Justice
Padre Faura, Manila

Dear Mr. President:

Peace Be With You!

It has been six years since former Senator Leila de Lima was arrested and detained for trumped up drug charges. Separated from family and friends, she has suffered from loneliness, depression and anxiety. Prevented from discharging her duties as a duly elected Senator of the Republic, her constituents were deprived of her service. The latest hostage taking revealed her exposure to risks and vulnerability to attacks inside the Camp Crame Detention Center.

Mr. President while you have repeatedly said to let the courts decide, we are all witness to how the judicial process is painfully slow. In the two cases filed against her, five judges have inhibited, two opted for early retirement, and two acted as temporary/acting judges. For Criminal Case 165, the current judge is the fifth assigned judge. For Criminal Case 167, the current judge is the sixth judge.

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[From the web] EcoWaste Coalition Appeals to Government of Pakistan to Stop Export of Banned Cosmetics with Mercury

EcoWaste Coalition Appeals to Government of Pakistan to Stop Export of Banned Cosmetics with Mercury

(Published on 16 February 2023 by EcoWaste Coalition)

In its latest bid to stop the proliferation of banned mercury-added cosmetics in the local market, including e-commerce sites, the toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has sought the help of the Government of Pakistan.

Through a letter sent today via e-mail, the group requested the Government of Pakistan to help solve a public health problem involving the unlawful export to the Philippines of 17 “made in Pakistan” beauty creams with high levels of mercury in violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The letter was addressed to Federal Minister Sherry Rehman of the Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC) and Mr. Syed Mujtaba Hussain, the country’s National Focal Point for the Minamata Convention on Mercury,

The mercury treaty, which includes Pakistan and the Philippines among the state parties, has set a phase-out date for cosmetics such as skin lightening products with mercury content above one ppm. The treaty stipulated 2020 as the date after which the manufacture, import or export of such mercury-added cosmetics shall not be allowed.

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[Right-Up] In Solidarity to the Brave People of Sibuyan Island | by Jose Mario De Vega

In Solidarity to the Brave People of Sibuyan Island

I joined our people in condemning to the highest possible degree the extremely violent dispersal done by the powers that be recently against the brave people of Sibuyan Island who are peacefully protesting collectively and airing their disgust and rejection of the intended mining activities to their beautiful province.

Their resistance was through a human barricade was forcefully manhandled and viciously dismantled by the police which is a grave violation of the protestors constitutionally sacred rights. I cannot help but wonder, why it is that the police are trampling on the rights of the citizens, the very people that pay taxes in order for those idiots to have their salaries. Hence, I have to ask the categorical questions no matter how inconvenient and uncomfortable they may be: who are they serving and who are they protecting? It is clear that they are not for the people’s welfare; it is correct to inquire: are they also in the pay roll of the mining industry?

I forge my solidarity to the valiant people of Sibuyan Island and throwing my full support to their just struggle for a balance nature and ecological harmony.

I am also supporting the proposed Senate inquiry by Senator Hontiveros not only to look at the root cause of all these issues but primordially to investigate the mining activities in the area and determined who are the culprits who uses excessive force in the brief scuffle that erupted and shown all over the world, as usual to the shame of all Filipinos.

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[Video] Pakinggan ang boses ni Alvin, isang kabataang katutubong apektado ng Kaliwa Dam | Stop Kaliwa Dam

Pakinggan ang boses ni Alvin, isang kabataang katutubong apektado ng Kaliwa Dam.

Kasama si Alvin sa paglalakad upang ipakita sa taumbayan at makuha ang kanilang suporta na ipatigil ang Kaliwa Dam na makakasira sa kanilang kinabukasan at salinlahi ng mga katutubo. Aniya, ang laban na ito ay hindi lamang laban nilang mga katutubo kundi laban ng lahat na maapektuhan ng pagtatayo ng Kaliwa Dam.

MAKIISA SA LAKAD. MAKIISA SA LABAN. #StopKaliwaDam #SaveSierraMadre

Pirmahan at ibahagi ang petisyon: change.org/stopkaliwadam

Submit your contribution online through HRonlinePH@gmail.com
Include your full name, e-mail address, and contact number.

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit the submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos, etc.

[From the web] 𝐀𝐓𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑’𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐏𝐌𝐂

𝐀𝐓𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑’𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐏𝐌𝐂

(Published February 7 at ATM Social Media Accounts)

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) lauded the Sibuyan residents today for their victory over the illegal operations of Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) after the DENR issued a Cease and Desist Order preventing the mining firm from the construction and operation of its causeway and stopping its transportation of nickel ore.

“The DENR Order suspending the current operations of APMC is a clear victory for the people of Sibuyan. Without the firm resistance of the Sibuyan residents and environmental defenders, we doubt if the DENR will lift a finger on the violations of the APMC,” said Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of ATM. “However, the struggle of the Sibuyanons is far from over as they are strongly demanding the revocation of APMC’s Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA),”

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[From the web] “Rose” by Jan Joy Louise Crismo | AFAD

This is an excerpt from the article “Rose” by Jan Joy Louise Crismo, published in the The Voice, December 2019 issue (an AFAD publication). Rose is the sister of the Acebedo Brothers who were forcibly disappeared during the dark times of Philippine Martial Law of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos (1972-1981).

“Rose is the third and only girl among the four Acebedo siblings. She used to be an organizer in the anti-martial law movement along with her older brothers, Roy and Nolito, and their youngest brother, Boyet.”

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[Video] ICC, Dapat ba o Hindi Mangbusisi? | TFDP

Ang International Criminal Court ay magpapatuloy na sa pag-imbestiga ng alegasyon ng patayan sa ilalim ng gera kontra-droga ng dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Inaprubahan ng ICC Pre-Trial chamber ang request ni prosecutor Karim Khan para sa pagsulong ng imbestigasyon.


Dapat ba o hindi mangbusisi ang ICC sa alegasyon ng paglabag ng karapatang pantao sa bansa sa ilalim ng war on drugs ni dating pangulong Duterte?

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[Statement] on the mass displacement and filing of criminal cases against farmer-members of SANAMABASU | KATARUNGAN

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE MASS DISPLACEMENT AND FILING OF CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST FARMER-MEMBERS OF SANAMABASU
February 7, 2023

The Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan (KATARUNGAN) strongly condemns the man-made humanitarian crisis affecting more than 70 farming families in Brgy. Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan. These farmers organized under the Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Mamamayan sa Brgy. Sumalo (SANAMABASU) are literally under siege from relentless attacks on their right to land, housing, and basic freedoms through the criminalization of their land rights movements. Their situation highlights the cavalier treatment and continuing marginalization of farmers in the country. Many small farmers and producers who are reeling from the negative impact of trade liberalization and smuggling are also being driven forcibly from their land and livelihoods and are deprived of their right to live peacefully and with dignity.

The members of SANAMABASU have been tilling the land for many years before the Litton family acquired the area through a Sales Patent in 1979. The 214-hectare land was subsequently transferred to Riverforest Development Corporation (RDC) owned by the Litton family. RDC successfully applied for conversion despite the petition of farmers for land redistribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the RDC in 2007, the land remained eligible for acquisition and redistribution under the CARP due to the RDC’s non-compliance with the reglementary period for conversion. Hence, in 2019, the Office of the President ordered that the property be taken over and given to qualified beneficiaries. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) later covered 155.6 hectares of the property under the CARP.

Since the farmers petitioned for land rights, the RDC has used various tactics to evict the farmers from their homes and land, including conflict-stirring among residents, hiring armed security guards, and filing of criminal and civil cases against them. The Barangay Captain, who has been leading the petition for land reform, has also been targeted with sustained administrative complaints and suspended from office, hindering his ability to serve his constituents. As of last count, farmers and their leaders already faced more than 50 criminal and civil cases. And cases against them are counting.

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[From the web] 𝗦𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗥 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗣𝗠𝗖 | ATM

ICYMI: 𝗦𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗥 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗣𝗠𝗖

Environmental defenders in Sibuyan, Romblon called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue a cease and desist order that would stop the operations of Altai Philippines Mining Company (APMC).
According to the DENR findings:

  1. APMC violated PD 1067 known as the Water Code of the Philippines- shore easement construction of structures
  2. APMC violated DAO 2004-24 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations – no foreshore lease agreement (Sec. 2c); salvage zone construction
  3. APMC violated Section 4 of PD 1586 – construction of causeway without Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
  4. APMC violated Section 77 of PD 705 – cutting/clearing of trees without permit
    “Hinihihingi natin ang agarang aksyon ng DENR Secretary through MGB Regional Director to issue a cease and desist order. Ang mabagal na aksyon ng DENR ay magdudulot ng malawak na pinsala sa Isla ng Sibuyan at kapahamakan sa mga mamamayan, “ said Elizabeth Ibañez, Coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM).
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[Video] Alam Mo Ba? | SOS-Yamang Bayan

Episode 1 of S.O.S. Yamang Bayan Network’s video bites series on just minerals transition (JMT) & AMMB. Please like and share!

See the Episode 1 here:

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@lrcphl/video/7192902994436820226?lang=en
IG https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn33lPPjaC3/

Submit your contribution online through HRonlinePH@gmail.com
Include your full name, e-mail address, and contact number.

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit the submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos, etc.

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