Dakila Launches The Digital Museum of Martial Law in the Philippines http://www.MartialLaw.ph On September 21, 2016, 44 years after the signing of Proclamation No. 1081 that put the Philippines under Martial Law, Dakila, a group of artists working on human rights, launched the Digital Museum of Martial Law in the Philippines. The Digital Museum of…
Don’t make the war on drugs a war on human rights, new HR group told President Duterte August 12, 2016 – Newly formed human rights coalition, In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend|) calls on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte not to make his government’s war on drugs a war on human rights. In…
A Rights Agenda for President Duterte Extrajudicial Killings, Accountability, and Health Care Are Key Issues (New York, August 10, 2016) – The Philippines’ new president, Rodrigo Duterte, should focus efforts on tackling the country’s persistent human rights problems, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the president. Human Rights Watch makes specific recommendations…
Civil society launches #FreeThe5KH campaign in support of the imprisoned ADHOC staff and NEC official We, the undersigned civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, launch today – 8 August 2016 – the #FreeThe5KH campaign in support of the five human rights defenders, who are currently in pre-trial detention and under judicial investigation for allegations of…
The Role of Civil Society and ASEAN Bodies in Achieving a People-centered ASEAN Dili, Timor-Leste – 05-08-2016- The final day of the ACSC/APF 2016 examined the progress and efficacy of ASEAN and its mechanisms in achieving a people-centered community. H.E. Mr. Xanana Gusmao, Minister of Strategic Investment in Timor-Leste, engaging participants in an open dialogue,…
Respect for human rights in war vs drugs urged too: Workers call for war vs endo, poverty On the occasion of the opening of the new Congress and the SONA speech of President Rodrigo Duterte, the workers group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on the government to wage a vigorous war against contractualization and poverty. At…
Youth group fires back after QC Vice Mayor defend curfew ordinance AN ANTI-CURFEW youth organization criticized Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte after she claimed in a live interview that the curfew ordinance in Quezon City has been “very successful” in reducing the crime rate. Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) spokesperson, Joanne Lim responded by…
Stop the bloodshed, human rights defenders tell Duterte July 14, 2016 – The Citizen’s Council for Human Rights (CCHR) today asked President Rodrigo Duterte to initiate measures that will halt the surge of extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals and drug offenders. The group also called for the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for human…
Briones asked: implement Magna Carta for teachers Teachers and civil society groups vowed to engage DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and the Duterte administration on their five-decade advocacy for the implementation of Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670), a vintage law enacted in June 1966. “This Magna Carta is considered a bible of Filipino…
TFDP to President Duterte: Marcos’ hero’s burial an insult to Fr. Rudy Romano, enforced disappearance victim during Martial Law One of the thousand reasons why Ferdinand Marcos should not be given a hero’s burial is the disappearance of Fr. Rudy Romano thirty-one years ago, according to the human rights group Task Force Detainees of…
Teachers hope Pres. Duterte will grant the P10, 000 pay increase Public school teachers on Wednesday said they are anticipating an announcement from the palace that it is now ready to grant the P10, 000 across-the-board increase for the salaries of public school teachers. This was the reaction of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) following…
Mining affects indigenous women human rights, Phil women’s groups said at 64thCEDAW session Geneva, Switzerland – Mining projects which encroached upon IP territories without our genuine consent causing a web of women human rights violations has been one of the statements issued by indigenous women and women’s rights advocates from the Philippines in the Convention…
Teachers welcome “Ka Liling” to DEPED The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) today welcomes Dr. Leonor Magtolis-Briones to the Departnement of Education as she start her first day as secretary of the country’s biggest bureaucracy. Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairperson said “it is our great pleasure to welcome Ka Liling to the DepEd family. We…
Women’s groups celebrate the CHR resolution that incoming President Rodrigo Duterte violated the Magna Carta of Women We, women, celebrate the resolution of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that incoming President Rodrigo Duterte violated the Magna Carta of Women when he made debasing remarks on rape and abuse of a domestic worker, kissed female…
Stop mining, communities urge Duterte admin Groups hold anti-mining actions nationwide MANILA, 30 June 2016 – Mining-affected communities across the Philippines held protests and other actions to pursue reforms in mining ahead of the inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the swearing-in of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez. Members and…
“IT’S ABOUT TIME.” Affected communities defend new DENR Chief’s anti-mining, anti-coal stance Residents from areas affected by mining and coal projects approve of newly-appointed Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez’s firm stance against large-scale mining and coal-fired power plants, defending her against insinuations from fossil fuel and mining proponents. Dr. Benito…
Not one more victim of torture, UATC urge “The Philippines has one of the smallest police-to-population ratios in the world, an overstretched force, predisposed to taking ‘shortcuts’ during arrests and criminal investigations,is the breeding ground for officers who resort to torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in carrying out their jobs,”the United Against…
Labor rights group supports resumption of peace talks The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights welcomes and supports the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (GPH-NDFP) saying it can “potentially address the root causes of armed conflict, reduce human rights violations…
To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope! – Pope Francis Homily at his inauguration, March…
Leyte farmers occupy CARP-awarded lands after 20 years Ormoc City — After two decades of waiting, 23 farmer beneficiaries from Brgy. Sumanga and 11 from Brgy. Valencia, finally started tilling their CARP-awarded lands during a series of meticulously-planned installation activities led by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Monday (June 20) and Tuesday (June…
