The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) is alarmed by the blatant killings, violent dispersals, and other gross human rights violations being committed by the Myanmar military government against its people. As a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), we deem it our duty to speak out against atrocities and expresses deep concern over the silence of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC).

As National Human Rights Institutions defined by the highest standards set by the Paris Principles, it is our foremost duty to rise up and speak against atrocities being committed by our respective governments. NHRIs are mandated to ensure that human rights are promoted and protected in accordance with the international human rights standards set by the core international human rights treaties. As a member institution that we have worked with for so long in the NHRI networks that we are a part of, where we have freely and willingly shared our experiences to assist them in improving their NHRI status, we implore for them to do something about the human rights violations being committed against their people.

As an NHRI, we believe that it is within our obligation to call out our fellow institution when we see that their people are suffering from gross human rights violations, where even the young are not spared. We believe that it is imperative to act quickly and with fortitude in responding to this urgent situation. We remind them that the international community will be behind them as support for whatever action they will take for the promotion and protection of human rights, especially for the sake of their people.

Finally, we highlight that on the crossroads of history, silence in the face of injustice has only ever emboldened the perpetrators. May the MNHRC be guided by the continuing cries for help of the people they are called to serve. ###