20 July 2017
PRESS STATETEMENT
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on Maute group’s use of child soldiers and the condition of the displaced residents of Marawi City
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the use of children by the Maute group to further terrorism in Marawi City. CHR decries recruiting, even worse, forcing children to serve as spies, couriers, or fighters during the ongoing hostilities.
Article 38, Section 1 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child asserts that “States Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflicts which are relevant to the child.”
Section 2 also furthers that “States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not attained the age of fifteen years do not take a direct part in hostilities.”
Children have the right to be raised in a peaceful environment; to be among the first to receive relief in times of disaster; and to be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty, and exploitation among others. Children of age should be studying in school and enjoying their childhood, rather than training and being exposed to the harsh battlefield.
In this context, CHR continues to monitor cases of children and other vulnerable and marginalized groups in Mindanao, such as women and the elderly.
In the earlier part of July 2017, the Commission conducted a Joint Monitoring Mission in evacuation centers in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur. The said mission was coordinated with the Regional Human Rights Commission of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) in Iligan City.
Concrete recommendations were forwarded to NEOC for their action, especially on the need to convey information and regular updates on the set of interventions available to those who were displaced due to the hostilities. The report also included recommendations on health (addressing illnesses of internally-displaced persons [IDPs] and ensuring services for pregnant and lactating women, and for children and the elderly); on camp management (ensuring registration and documentation of all IDPs, provision of more tents and tarps, and ensuring compliance with standards of Women and Child Friendly Spaces); and on food and non-food items (the clamor of IDPs for food donations other than noodles and canned goods, and for uniformity and equal distribution of relief goods).
The Commission stresses that, while no cases have been formally filed with CHR, this fact should not be equated to the actual absence of human rights violations on the ground. CHR, for its part, commits to continue carrying out its mandate of protecting and promoting human rights, especially at this time of extended conflict in Marawi City.
The Commission commends the work of different agencies, non-government organizations, and individuals in addressing the needs of those affected by the hostilities, as we continue to partner with them in upholding human rights standards for civilians and our security forces alike.
We, together with the rest of the nation, look forward to the resolution of this conflict. And we call on every Filipino to remain vigilant against abuses towards the preservation of the dignity of all. ###
Contact Person:
Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office
Telephone No: (02) 928-5792 / 0977 284 0787
Email address: comms.chr@gmail.com