The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the City Government of Isabela in Basilan province for enacting Ordinance number 22-717, the first Human Rights Defenders’ Protection (HRDP) Ordinance in the country. This ordinance manifests the city government’s recognition of its legal and moral obligation to ensure the protection of human rights defenders who play a key role in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
On 6 March 2023, CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc, together with Commissioner Beda Epres, visited Isabela City to personally hand the Plaque of Recognition to the City Council of the City Government of Isabela.
In his remarks, Chairperson Palpal-latoc highlighted the joint efforts of the City Council of Isabela City, partner stakeholders, Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearances or FIND, and the CHR that enabled the adoption and enactment of the ordinance. He also stressed the importance of this exemplary initiative in helping realize one of the key visions of the current 6th Commission.
“The enactment of this pioneer ordinance is a key development in the current Commission’s vision to bring the CHR and human rights directly to the people and communities. It is also a concrete move to protect human rights defenders at the local level, which is crucial in creating a conducive environment for human rights at the grassroots level,” Chair Palpal-latoc said.
For his part, Commissioner Beda Epres underscored the CHR’s aim to strengthen its commitment and efforts in the shared responsibility of protecting and promoting the rights of human rights defenders by actively advocating for the localization of the pending Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Bill.
“Localizing the HRD Bill has become one of our efforts together with our partners to institutionalize state obligations in the local level for the protection of the rights of HRDs as a response to the attacks, red-tagging, vilification, and threats to their lives and security,” Commissioner Beda explained.
“The series of meetings, consultations, and lobby efforts conducted by the CHR through the Policy Advisory Office and its partners yielded to this very first Human Rights Defenders Protection Ordinance in the Philippines. This is a milestone achievement for the CHR and all advocates of human rights as this marks the first tangible proof of our work in the local policy level to protect our fellow human rights defenders,” he added.
In response, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman committed to do her best to advocate for human rights and highlighted its importance in building an ideal and dignified life for her constituents. She also expressed utmost pride and gratitude to the Isabela City Council for their initiative and efforts that can set an example for many local governments in the country.
The Commission envisions for every local government in the Philippines to follow the steps of Isabela City in providing concrete protection for human rights defenders. As duty-bearers at the local level, this is a concrete way for municipal leaders to show they value human rights and the welfare of the people who fight for and defend it, especially the rights and dignity of the marginalized and the disadvantaged ones. ###