With the Philippines joining the world in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), House Committee on Human Rights Chair Benny Abante Jr. reiterated the need to continue promoting human rights, and said that the House would do its part to pass legislation intended to uphold the rights of every Filipino.
“We commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, a historic document that affirms the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people,” Abante said.
“In our country, where human rights may not be perceived as a priority, let us use this milestone to foster a better understanding of the importance of embracing the principles outlined in the UNDHR,” the veteran legislator added.
The seasoned lawmaker stressed that “human rights are not a luxury but a necessity, and are integral to our progress as a nation; we cannot have one without the other.”
“In the 19th Congress, we have worked to pass vital human rights legislation such as a measure to protect internally displaced persons, a human rights defenders act, and anti-discrimination legislation.”
According to him, “this is why in the 19th Congress, we have worked to pass vital human rights legislation such as a measure to protect internally displaced persons, a human rights defenders act, and anti-discrimination legislation.”
“The principles of the UNDRH can even be found in the Bible.”
Abante, a pastor who established the Metropolitan Baptist Church in 1975, explained that the principles of the UNDRH can even be found in the Bible.
He quoted Galatians 3:28, which says, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
“This passage,” Abante said, “underscores the fundamental equality and dignity of every individual, which transcends societal divisions.”
“This is something we will continue to advocate for in the House, and we thank the House leadership for supporting the efforts and initiatives of the Committee on Human Rights,” he added.
In December 10, 1948 the Philippines became the first signatory of the UNDHR. A milestone document in the history of human rights, it is widely recognized as having inspired and paved the way for the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties.
