The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) shall be conducting a National Inquiry on the situation of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in the country.

The inquiry is in response to petitions and complaints filed before the Commission, alleging Extra-Judicial Killings, Enforced Disappearances, threats, and other forms of harassment against organizations and individuals – collectively regarded as Human Rights Defenders – attributed to state organs and agents.

The Commission especially notes serious allegations concerning government attempts to silence and intimidate human rights defenders through the use of the judicial system, including the filing of criminal cases based on fabricated charges of terrorism, sedition, and other crimes against the security of the state.

In accordance with its primary mandate to investigate allegations of human rights abuses, the CHR, upon conclusion of its inquiry, intends to present to government and other sectors recommendations for respecting human rights, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring a vibrant democracy.

The inquiry hearings, whose process will be dialogical rather than adversarial, shall be conducted from 9 September until 13 September 2019. It will be held at the Session Hall of the CHR Central Office in Quezon City.

Resource persons from local and international human rights organizations, the church, and government are expected to attend the public hearings. Parties who have confirmed their participation in the inquiry include Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Bishop Pablo David, Rep. Carlos Zarate, the office of Sen. Leila de Lima, representatives from the Philippine National Police and the Department of National Defense, as well as from international human rights organizations.

The CHR hopes that the Department of Justice, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the Presidential Human Rights Committee will participate in the public hearings. ###