Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the proposed bill pushing for death penalty by firing squad for corrupt public officials
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern on the proposed bill pushing for the death penalty by firing squad for corrupt public officials. CHR recognizes that corruption is a grave offense that has far-reaching and systemic consequences, including perpetuation of inequality and weakening of institutions. However, the death penalty is not a guaranteed […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the positive developments on Mary Jane Veloso’s case and her return to the Philippines after over a decade of imprisonment in Indonesia
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Indonesian government’s update on the situation of Mary Jane Veloso and her possible return to the Philippines after over a decade of consultations and diplomatic engagements. Back in October 2010, Veloso was sentenced to death upon being discovered at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia with 2.6 kilograms of […]
[COALITION AGAINST DEATH PENALTY] Statement on the World Day Against Death Penalty on 10 October 2024
On the World Day Against the Death Penalty, we unite in our call to affirm the right to life of all persons and call for the universal abolition of capital punishment. This day is a constant reminder to reflect on the progress made to abolish the death penalty in all corners of the world and […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the execution of a Filipino in Saudi Arabia
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its profound sadness and deep concern over the execution of a Filipino national in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and, in line with their request for privacy, urge the public and media to respect their wishes. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing its concern on a barangay ordinance in Abra that proposed the death penalty for illegal garbage dumping
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over a barangay ordinance in Abra that proposed the death penalty for a third offense of illegal garbage dumping. This ordinance not only represents a severe disregard for human rights but also trivializes the most fundamental right of all–the right to life. According to reports, six […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing its concern on a barangay ordinance in Abra that proposed the death penalty for illegal garbage dumping
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over a barangay ordinance in Abra that proposed the death penalty for a third offense of illegal garbage dumping. This ordinance not only represents a severe disregard for human rights but also trivializes the most fundamental right of all–the right to life. According to reports, six […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann De Guia, welcoming the President’s remarks against calls to revive the death penalty
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the remarks and insights of the President that reflect his primary considerations concerning calls to revive the death penalty. In a recent Youtube interview, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that there are practical and moral issues surrounding capital punishment. In particular, the President surfaced the moral issue […]
Statement of Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit, Focal Commissioner on Anti-Death Penalty, on Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Vicente Sotto III’s Withdrawal of Support for Death Penalty
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the pronouncement of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Vicente Sotto III abandoning support for the death penalty in the country. Both senators previously authored bills seeking the reimposition of death penalty. Senators Lacson and Sotto cite the possibility of ending the life of an innocent person as the […]
Statement of CHR Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit, Focal Commissioner on Anti-Death Penalty, on the 19th World Day Against Death Penalty
Today, 10 October 2021, we observe the 19th World Day Against Death Penalty. This year’s observance focuses on the plight of women who risk being sentenced to death, those who are already in the death row, those who were pardoned or whose sentences were commuted. Likewise, we continue to call for the abolition of death […]
Statement of CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit on the Commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Death Penalty
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) is in solidarity with the human rights community in celebrating the 15th year anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty today, 24 June 2021. We celebrate the tremendous efforts of the different stakeholders who made this possible back then, and their continuing efforts to ensure […]
Statement of Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit on the Passage of House Bill No. 7814, providing for the ‘Presumption of Guilt’ and Reintroduction of the Death Penalty as amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
We express grave concern on the votes in favor of House Bill No. 7814, which passed on third reading yesterday, 2 March 2021, at the House of Representatives. We wish to highlight that our system of laws adheres to the rule of law and its basic tenets provide that a person is presumed innocent until […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on PNP Chief’s threat to ‘hunt down’ suspects in Christine Dacera’s death and on the call for reimposition of death penalty
With the ongoing investigation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the death of flight attendant Christine Angelica Dacera, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cautions officials to be circumspect in their pronouncements of launching a manhunt operation against suspects without any legal basis such as warrant of arrest. As much as we all want […]
Statement of Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines welcomes the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty (A/RES/75/183). The Philippines is one of the 123 UNGA Member States that voted in favor of the resolution on 16 December 2020. There are 38 Member States against the resolution […]
Statement of CHR Commissioner Karen S. Gomez Dumpit, Focal Commissioner on Anti-Death Penalty, on the 18th World Day Against Death Penalty
Today, 10 October 2020, marks the 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty where we commemorate the victories we have won as well as the battles we continue to pursue in order to abolish the death penalty across the globe. In the Philippines, we take this time to take stock of our responses to the […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the call to reinstate death penalty by lethal injection
Calling to reintroduce death penalty in the Philippines through lethal injection runs against two affirmations of this government during the 2020 State of the Nation Address—putting human lives above all and not dodging the obligation to fight for human rights. Time and again, CHR has invited the government to engage in a frank and factual […]
Statement of Commissioner Karen S. Gomez Dumpit on the 17th World Day against Death Penalty
As we mark the 17th World Day Against Death Penalty today, let us remain firm in upholding the right to life and resist any move to reimpose the death penalty. This year’s theme focuses on the unseen victims of capital punishment — children whose parents have been sentenced to death. The psychological and emotional suffering […]
Statement of Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit
delivered before the Committee on Justice, House of Representatives18th Congress, 1st Regular Session 24 September 2019 Thank you Mr. Chair. The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines supports the government in its campaign against criminality. We do not want any crime to go unpunished. A deterrent to crime is a functional, unbiased, efficient and […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on remarks advocating the reintroduction of death penalty by rope
We urge government officials to be more circumspect in utterances that tend to devalue life and other rights by making them laughing matters. Cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishments are serious human rights offences barred by laws. Such acts have no place in a civilised society. The Commission on Human Rights reiterates its position that there […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on proposals to restore death penalty in the country
The Commission on Human Rights continues to extend its offer to the government, especially our lawmakers, to engage in a frank and factual discussion on the ineffectiveness of death penalty in addressing crimes. We believe that crimes must be punished, but measures to exact accountability for the faults committed should not diminish the value of […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the withdrawal of the House of Representatives of its approval of imposing death penalty for drug possession
The Commission on Human Rights recognises the need to address the sale and use of illegal drugs due to its ill effects to individuals, families, and our communities at large. Even before, the Commission have expressed its qualified support—mindful of our questions on its means—to the government’s drive to address illegal drugs with the vision […]
Overseas Filipino Workers on Death Row CHR (V) A2018-004
Position Paper on Overseas Filipino Workers on Death Row CHR (V) A2018-004 The Commission on Human Rights calls on the State to recognize its obligations as a State Party to the ICCPR and its Second Optional Protocol. The ramifications of reintroducing the death penalty in the country have the potential to expose the Philippines to international […]