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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.
2018 Press Statement, Comfort Women, Human Dignity, Philippines, Statue, World War II
Statues are built to remember and respect struggles in our history. In this light, the Commission is deeply concerned that the monument intended to honour the pain and struggles of our so-called ‘comfort women’ during the World War II was taken down like a thief in the night, akin to equally robbing us of our […]
2018 Press Statement, Bureau of Immigration, Patricia Fox, peaceably assemble
It is unfortunate that the recent events that led to the Bureau of Immigration order directing Australian religious missionary and human rights defender Sr. Patricia Fox to leave the country appears to be bereft of due process. We stress that the nature of human rights remains the same regardless of context. It does not discriminate […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Illegal Drug Trade, PDEA, War on Drugs
Press Statement | 20 April 2018 Public officials are expected to uphold ethical conduct, possess good moral character, and are not supposed to be engaged in any illegal activities, such as drug use and trade. As civil servants, they are and will always be held to a higher standard. We understand that the plan of […]
2018 Press Statement, due process, PDEA, presumption of innocence
Public officials are expected to uphold ethical conduct, possess good moral character, and are not supposed to be engaged in any illegal activities, such as drug use and trade. As civil servants, they are and will always be held to a higher standard. We understand that the plan of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Dignity of All, Human Rights, Patricia Fox
Press Statement | 19 April 2018 It is the mandate of the government to protect and promote the human rights of all persons in the Philippines, including foreign nationals. This includes ensuring that everyone, like in the case of the Australian religious missionary Patricia Fox, is granted due process while we assert our national laws. […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, EJK, PNP, Supreme Court’s decision
Press Release | 6 April 2018 We welcome and support the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) ordering the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit data on the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. It is a step forward in ensuring that the rule of law still prevails in our country. But, equally important, is on how […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, OFWs, Overseas Filipino Workers, Secretary Silvestre Bello III
Press Release from the Office of Commissioner Gwendolyn Ll. Pimentel-Gana | 29 March 2018 Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed disappointment over a recent statement of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III criticizing the CHR for its focus on political crimes and the war against illegal drugs rather than on migrant […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Carbon Majors, National Inquiry on Climate Change, NICC
PRESS RELEASE | 28 March 2018 QUEZON CITY—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) held the first public hearing probing the alleged responsibility of major fossil-fuel companies or so-called “carbon majors” to climate change and how this impacts the human rights of Filipinos.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Carbon Majors, Climate Justice, Commissioner Roberto Cadiz, NICC
Press Release | 26 March 2018 QUEZON CITY—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is set to proceed with its formal inquiry hearing starting Tuesday, 27 March 2018, as a response to a petition seeking to investigate so-called “carbon majors” for allegedly contributing to climate change and its impact on the rights of the Filipino people.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, DOLE, Mary Jane Veloso, Migrant Workers’ Act, NHRI, OFW
Press Statement | 24 March 2018 The primary obligation to protect the rights of every Filipino here and abroad rests with the government and its agencies. The Commission on Human Rights, thus, takes note of the actions that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has taken in ensuring that the rights of our overseas […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Article 127, ICC, PH Withdrawal, Rome Stature
The need for justice and the rule of law to prevail amidst allegations of impunity cannot hide under the veil of threat to withdraw from the Rome Statute.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Agnes Callamard, Tauli Corpuz, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteurs
The Commission on Human Rights expresses deep concern over recent discourses from the Philippine government that has consistently questioned the legitimacy of international human rights mechanisms in ensuring the rule of law and human rights in the country. This is despite the fact that the Philippines has been a signatory to a number of treaties […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Demafelis, deployment, OFW, POEA
05 March 2018 | Press Release from the Office of Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana QUEZON CITY – Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana of the Commission of Human Rights called for a rights-based approach to the recruitment and deployment of overseas Filipino workers as she expressed concern over the prevalence of the illegal transfer of domestic workers from one employer to […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Cebu Mayor, due process, Human Rights, Philippine Justice System
Press Release | 31 March 2018 The Commission on Human Rights assures the public that its goal in its work is and always has been protecting the rights of all people in the Philippines. However, we must reiterate the importance of due process and following the rule of law. This is the assurance that all […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Jee Ick Joo, Kidnapping, PNP
The Commission on Human Rights staunchly calls on the Philippine government to investigate the abduction and killing of South Korean national Jee Ick Joo allegedly by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last October.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Cabatbat, nanlaban cases, right to life
All cases invoking self-defense (“nanlaban”) should be proven in court, especially those involving state-agents or police officers. Where police officers kill alleged criminals on the ground of self-defense, the validity of such must be established in proper court proceedings.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Duterte, ICC, international bodies, refuse investigation
Press Statement | 2 March 2018 We are a nation of laws and we give primacy to the rule of law. As a signatory to various treaties, the challenge for the administration is to demonstrate its commitment and sincerity in fulfilling its treaty obligations and, in the course, show transparency in investigating human rights violations […]
2018, 2018 Press Statement, Leila De Lima, one year detention
Last 24 February 2018, Senator Leila M. de Lima marked her first year in detention. From trading illegal drugs under Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165), the Department of Justice wants to charge her now with “attempt or conspiracy” to trade illegal drugs under Section 26(b) of the same law.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, IP Welfare, Lumad
QUEZON CITY—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) engaged Lumad leaders and representatives in a dialogue on Monday, 19 February 2018, concerning the welfare and grievances of Indigenous People (IPs) in Mindanao.
2018, 2018 Press Statement, indigenous peoples (IPs), Lumads
PRESS STATEMENT | 20 February 2018 20 February 2018 The Lumads are among the most vulnerable sectors of society. It is expedient that any issues that further put them in the margins be addressed immediately. The Commission on Human Rights has taken cognizance of the various issues they have expressed (during a dialogue with CHR today, […]
2018 Press Statement, Investigations, Lumad
The Lumads are among the most vulnerable sectors of society. It is expedient that any issues that further put them in the margins be addressed immediately. The Commission on Human Rights has taken cognizance of the various issues they have expressed (during a dialogue with CHR today, February 19). The Commission assures the conduct of […]