Statement of the Commission on Human Rights condemning the death threat against playwright Bonifacio Ilagan
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) denounces the death threat sent to Bonifacio Ilagan, an activist and playwright, whose works are critical of the rights abuses committed during the Martial Law period and the disinformation propagated to make light of grievous human rights violations. The caller behind this threat allegedly asked Ilagan to “stop” what […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee on the implementation of the Government of the Philippines of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International human rights treaty bodies, such as the UN Human Rights Committee, are important spaces where civil and constructive dialogues can take place towards helping States, such as the Government of the Philippines, improve its capacity in satisfying its obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of all persons in their jurisdictions. The […]
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 the CHR on the proposal to limit the constitutional right to free speech
PRESS STATEMENT | 24 January 2018 The freedom of speech is a fundamental right. Most liberties that we enjoy today were products of voices that expressed dissent against abuses and inequalities, and were bold enough to demand accountability from erring authorities. With the current discussions on amending our Constitution, the Commission on Human Rights expresses grave […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on upholding press freedom in the country
PRESS STATEMENT | 18 January 2018 Freedoms of information, speech, and expression are marks of a healthy, functioning democracy. The media, for its part, has always played a crucial role in enabling these rights, as well as in propagating truthful insights and, when needed, speaking truth to power. The Commission on Human Rights then stresses the […]
CHR reiterates stance on the death penalty in End Crime, Not Life Public Forum
17 August 2017 PRESS RELEASE CHR reiterates stance on the death penalty in End Crime, Not Life Public Forum QUEZON CITY—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) stressed its opposition to the reinstatement of the death penalty in the Philippines, asserting that it has never deterred heinous crimes from happening in the country. “Death penalty […]
Denunciation of and Withdrawal from International Treaties to Re-impose the Death Penalty
The CHRP issues this advisory to guide the Philippines Government on its initiatives to re-impose capital punishment. The Commission takes this opportunity to emphatically reiterate that the Philippines is a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and its Second Optional Protocol. Having ratified the ICCPR and the Second Optional […]