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This archive features official communications from the Commission on Human Rights, reflecting its stance on pressing human rights issues and national developments. It includes joint statements, press releases, brief statements, and press statements, all aimed at informing the public, asserting positions, and fostering transparency and accountability.
Dictatorship, Imelda Marcos, Martial Law
The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the decision of the Sandiganbayan convicting Imelda Marcos guilty of the graft charges committed when the former First Lady occupied different positions under the Marcos dictatorship. Despite being a long process, this conviction is nonetheless a triumph for the Filipino people, especially for the victims of human rights violations […]
CHR Gender Ombud, Magna Carta of Women, PNP
In light of the recent comments of PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde on limiting the number of women recruits to 10% of the police force and reasoning that such limitation is justified considering how women police officers get pregnant and avail of extended maternity leaves, the CHR as Gender Ombud reminds the PNP of the […]
Attacks on Lawyers, National Union of Peoples' Lawyer, red tagging, right to life
The Commission on Human Rights continues to express concern on the continuing violence against human rights defenders in the country, with the killing of Atty. Benjamin Ramos as another addition to the growing incidents of injustices to be reported. We note that, in April this year, Ramos was included in a poster, which was then […]
Magna Carta of Women, Mandatory Pregnancy Test, Right to Privacy
Dismissal on the basis of pregnancy is clearly prohibited under the Magna Carta of Women (MCW). The prohibition against dismissing students on the basis of pregnancy does not distinguish between public or private educational institutions. The CHR is alarmed with the documents circulating in the internet showing Pines City Colleges policy of mandatory pregnancy testing […]
Human Rights Violations Victims, Martial Law Claimants, Senate Resolution
The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the approval of the Senate joint resolution extending the validity and availability of funds for the victims of human rights violations under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. We recall that the House of Representatives approved their version of the joint resolution in August this year. Similar to the passage […]
human rights defenders, Patricia Fox
As a fellow human rights defender, we recognise with gratitude the dedication of Sister Patricia Fox to the human rights cause in the Philippines, especially for our farmers, labourers, and the urban poor. Founded on the universality of human rights, being a foreign national did not prevent her from dedicating almost three decades of her […]
Farmers, President Rodrigo Duterte
It is reprehensible that the President made another remark that seem to condone and encourage state forces to illegally arrest and kill those who are asserting their land rights. Given that 9 sugar farmers were recently killed, such statement by the Commander-in-Chief himself only serves to reinforce the current environment of impunity that farmers as […]
CHR-NCR, Police Officer, Rape
When our police officers assumed their mandate, they took an oath to serve the Filipino people and protect our rights. As the motto of the Philippine National Police (PNP) commits, “to serve and protect.” There is then no acceptable excuse when our police officers become the first ones to violate our laws and the people’s […]
extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, Marawi, Martial Law, Mindanao
The Commission on Human Rights recognises that peace and order are necessary conditions for the conduct of any political exercise, such as elections and even the expected plebiscite, anywhere in the country. The martial law declaration in Mindanao, however, was primarily justified to address claimed terrorist threats following the siege in Marawi City. We agree […]
UDHR, United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being—regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The UDHR serves as […]
2018 Press Statement, Ambush, Camarines Sur, Cops, NPA
The Commission on Human Rights condemns the ambush in Lupi, Camarines Sur allegedly executed by the New People’s Army, which killed 3 cops and injured 3 more. In armed hostilities, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force is prohibited under the International Humanitarian Law. Hence, the Commission will conduct thorough and immediate investigation to help see […]
2018 Press Statement, Anti-Torture Act, Jail Congestion, Raxabago, Secret Detention Cell
Problems on jail congestion in the Philippines goes beyond challenges in infrastructure. It represents a larger and deeper problem on how the government regards human rights, including for those who have run in conflict with the law. The fact is that, throughout the years, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has done more than lobbying […]
2018 Press Statement
Obligasyon ng Estado ang paghubog ng kabataan. May kaugnayan dito ang doktrina ng parens patriae o ama ng bansa na siyang nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa Estado upang protektahan ang mga taong walang kakayahan na magdesisyon para sa kanilang sarili katulad ng mga kabataan. Sa mga pagkakataong lumabag sila sa batas, ang dapat isaalang-alang ay ang […]
2018 Press Statement, extrajudicial killing
For the President to say that extrajudicial killings (EJKs) is his only sin means that he did not only acknowledge its existence but also recognize that it is wrong. Recognizing the existence of a wrong, which has cost thousands of lives, then behooves expedient action and rectification from the State. We harp again our call […]
2018 Press Statement, Budget 2019, House of Representatives
QUEZON CITY—Members of the House of Representatives on Monday, 24 September 2018, called for an increase in the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) during the plenary deliberations, citing the need to strengthen the Commission in the face of rampant human rights violations and blatant marks of impunity in the country. “Makakaapekto ito […]
2018 Press Statement, 46th Anniversary of Martial Law, extrajudicial killings, Martial Law, Photo Exhibit
On Friday, 21 September 2018, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will commemorate the 46th year since the Marcos’ Martial Law with an event dubbed “Never Again, Never Forget: A day of remembrance for democracy and freedom.” The commemoration seeks to renew awareness of this dark episode in the Philippine history, which was shrouded with […]
2018 Press Statement, Deaf Community, Mockery, Rights of the Person with Disabilities
The controversial video making fun of the sign language used by deaf people is utterly appalling and unacceptable especially that it involves a government official and a blogger affiliated to a government office. Such behavior is extremely degrading, derogatory, and further perpetuates discrimination of the vulnerable deaf people. Sign language is a form of communication […]
2018 Press Statement, Mahalagang Panawagan
Mayroon di-umanong mga grupo, indibidwal, at maging mga abogado na hangad na manlamang at mangikil ng pera sa mga denied claimants ng Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) kapalit ang pagproseso at/o pag-apela ng claims para sa pinansyal na reparasyon. Ito ay hindi totoo at isang uri ng scam at panloloko. Mahalagang maging mapanuri at […]
2018 Press Statement, Budget 2019, Congress
We express our gratitude to the House of Representatives’ (HoR) Committee on Appropriations led by Chairperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and Vice-Chairperson Raul V. del Mar for their full support to the cause of human rights through the unhampered approval of the budget of the Commission on Human Rights at the committee-level. This shows that […]
2018 Press Statement, Filipino Sign Language, Persons with Disabilities, PWD
The Commission on Human Rights urges the Department of Education (DepEd) to actively support the use of the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) in the proposed Senate Bill for Inclusive Education in recognition of the Filipino deaf community’s right to cultural and linguistic identity. The Commission, in solidarity with the deaf community, expresses concern with the […]
Ninja Cops
Ninja cops or scalawags in the police force, the Commission agrees, are a disgrace to the institution and therefore, must be removed from the service. However, like any human being, their lives are priceless too and should not be equated to any amount, however low or exorbitant it may be. Their removal from service must […]