Human rights are both national and international obligations. The Philippine Government has a sworn obligation to protect, respect, and fulfill human rights and comply with international human rights laws and treaties the State has ratified, which are also considered part of the law of the land. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) consistently reminds and gives advice to the government to adhere to its human rights duties and commitments contained in the Constitution and international instruments.

The United States (US) House of Representatives’ bill that seeks to suspend the provision of police and military assistance to the Philippines follows after the Parliament of the European Union (EU) adopted a resolution proposing to revoke the trade tariff exemptions due to the human rights situation in the country. The concerns sounded off by the US and EU were raised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in her report at the 44th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2020, and by other international independent bodies, the CHR and civil society in the recent years. As with previous international pronouncements and actions concerning the Philippine human rights situation, we call for the government to engage with these States in addressing persistent human rights concerns through existing frameworks and cooperation agreements on human rights and democracy, as well as implementation of Treaty Body recommendations and other international human rights mechanisms.

Genuine commitment to human rights and social justice strongly contributes to sustaining a well governed, secure, and stable State. The Philippines can easily foster collaboration with States and the international community, as well as advocate for support – financial, economic, and technical, among others when it demonstrates concrete initiatives to address domestic and transnational concerns on peace, security and development through human rights based approaches.

For our part, the CHR will continue to implement its mandate, advise, and work with government in exacting accountability for past and present human rights violations and promoting and protecting the human rights of all.