RSS Feed
UN HR
12
Mar
United Nations Human Rights Committee Finding The Philippine Government Guilty of Rights Violations
United Nations Human Rights Committee Finding The Philippine Government Guilty of Rights Violations
Last October 30, 2008, the United Nations Human Rights Committee during its 94th Session in Geneva, Switzerland has found the Philippine Government guilty of violating the right to life of Eden Marcellana, former Secretary General of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog and Eddie Gumanoy, former Chairperson of Kasama Tk. Karapatan is a human Rights association while Kasama Tk is an organization of farmers.
These two people were kidnapped and murdered on April 21, 2003 in Mindoro Oriental while on a fact-finding mission. The victims’ relatives filed their complaints with the United Nations on March 9, 2006 after exhausting all means to get justice within the Philippine legal system.
A ruling by no less than the United Nations clearly shows that the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been remiss in its duty to protect the lives and the rights of its citizens.
The affected parties were ordinary people striving to contribute to the lives of their fellowmen in far flung provinces. Instead of protecting them and ensuring that these people are able to successfully undertake their missions, the government did nothing.
Is the government so ineffective? Is the government turning a blind eye by letting those responsible get away, or worse, is the government the one behind these gruesome killings.
What kind of government can lay claim to moral ascendancy if it cannot guarantee the basic right to life and justice of its citizens?
Graft and corruption are reprehensible. Human rights abuses are downright unacceptable.
