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CHR pushes for torture prevention measures in PHL

  • June 27, 2017
  • 4:14 AM

27 June 2017
PRESS RELEASE

CHR pushes for torture prevention measures in PHL

QUEZON CITY—On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2017, June 26, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is pushing for the continuous advancement of the Philippines’ torture prevention measures by calling for the establishment of a National Preventative Measure (NPM) as part of the proposed CHR Charter.

“The establishment of a National Preventative Measure is long overdue. It is to the Philippines’ credit that we acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2012 but we have failed to take this important next step towards the eradication of incidences of torture in our country,” says Commissioner Leah Tanodra-Armamento.

A bill to create an NPM was originally filed in 2015 by Senate President Koko Pimentel but its establishment has since been incorporated into the proposed CHR Charter. This is after the successful passage of the landmark legislation Republic Act No. 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. Unfortunately, to date, there remains only one conviction under this law with many cases still under investigation or with trials ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Commission has continued its efforts to push for legislation that will help deter and counter torture. This included launching the Torture Prevention Ambassador Project in October 2014 in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and through the initiative of the Asia Pacific Forum and Association for the Prevention of Torture. The said project, which lasted two years and culminated with a National Summit on Torture Prevention, came up with a total of four advisories and one position paper on several concrete policy changes at the national and local levels. These are the advisories on: the Right to Adequate Food of PNP Detainees; on the PNP’s Compliance with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; on the Lack of Standard Police Stations and Lock Up Cells in Some Municipalities and Cities; and on the Human Rights-Based Approach Training of PNP Personnel in Handling Detainees; while the said position paper is in support of the PNP Modernization Bill.

“It is really important to involve the police in working to prevent torture,” says Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia, National Torture Prevention Ambassador and CHR spokesperson. “We engaged them in a very thorough consultative process since we believe that improved police welfare and education shall also lead to the prevention of torture. The Commission, through its advisories and position paper, has recommended to Congress and other government agencies several ways in which we can improve the situation of both the detainees and the police and so that there will be concrete steps to prevent torture.” ■

 

Contact Person:
Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office
Telephone/Mobile No: (02) 928-5792/ (0977) 284-0787
Email address: comms.chr@gmail.com

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