House Committee on Human Rights Chair Benny Abante Jr. welcomed the creation of the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination, and said the initiative “will contribute to efforts to promote and enforce human rights in the country”.
According to Abante, “a government takes its cue from its leaders.”
“The President, by issuing Administrative Order No. 22, is sending a strong message: upholding human rights is a priority of this administration.”
“The President, by issuing Administrative Order No. 22, is sending a strong message: upholding human rights is a priority of this administration,” the veteran legislator from the 6th District of Manila stressed.
President Ferdinand Marcos recently signed AO 22, which establishes the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination, a new body co-chaired by the Executive Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Justice.
The Special Committee also includes the secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Interior and Local Government.
The seasoned lawmaker explained that “the Executive Department is primarily responsible for putting the teeth in the human rights legislation passed by Congress.”
“We have many very good laws intended to protect human rights in our country. The challenge is to ensure that these laws are enforced.”
“We have many very good laws intended to protect human rights in our country. The challenge is to ensure that these laws are enforced,” he noted.
“Dito makakatulong ang Special Committee na ito,” Abante added.
Under AO 22, the Special Committee is tasked to strengthen existing mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights, such as
(1) investigation and accountability;
(2) data-gathering on alleged human rights violations by law enforcement agencies;
(3) expanding civic space and engagement with private sector;
(4) National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up;
(5) human rights-based approach towards drug control; and
(6) human rights-based approach towards counter-terrorism.
It is also mandated to monitor and ensure the effective implementation of government policies and programs “aimed at upholding and protecting human rights of persons deprived of liberty, particularly in guaranteeing that no one is subjected to torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.”
