International Day In Support of Victims of Torture June 26, 2013 The United Nations (UN) has condemned torture as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings. On December 1997, the General Assembly of UN proclaimed 26 June as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), which came into force 26 years ago. In the Philippines, the Philippine government has taken a step closer to fulfilling its international obligations with the signing into law of Republic Act 9745 or the “Anti-Torture Act of 2009.” The passage of the said law is a step towards putting a stop to the “culture of impunity" in the country, even as human rights advocates are campaigning to end the practice of torture and ill treatment in every place of detention. In conformity with this, the Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), with the support of different government agencies and civil society organizations in the region tasked to combat torture, joins the international community in commemorating and observing this year’s United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, 2013 and in contributing to the global campaign to end the practice of torture in ARMM. A series of activities has been lined up by the Regional Human Rights Commission for this day, which includes: (1) RHRC’s Anti-Torture Social Media Advocacy The RHRC’s Anti-Torture Social Media Advocacy aims to help victims recognize acts of torture, and provides some tips on how to prevent and combat torture. The campaign also helps to explain on why torture is wrong and why there is an urgent need to campaign against it. Recognizing the power of social media today, the RHRC has launched a poster about International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and other salient information on torture cases worldwide. As part of the RHRC’s Anti-Torture campaign, all of the RHRC personnel are encouraged to use the poster as cover photo in Facebook and to share it to friends and families who are also in Facebook. Aside from this, the RHRC Chair Atty. Laisa Alamia is invited to guest at the DXAE Radio Program of Ms. Myrna Jo Henry popularly known as AKSYON ARMM on June 26 from 8:30 to 9:00 in the morning. The radio guesting is part of the RHRC’s Anti-Torture Advocacy in ARMM with the end purposes of stopping the practice of torture in ARMM. What is torture? According to Section 3 of R.A. 9745, torture refers to an intentional act inflicted on a person who gives him/her severe pain or suffering for such purpose as obtaining from him/her or a third person information or a confession. This is committed to punish him/her for an act he/she or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed; or intimidating or coercing him/her or a third person. It is committed by authorities, or those at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a person in authority or agent of a person in authority. In Section 4 of same law, torture is categorized into physical and mental torture. Why campaign against it? Consistent with the fundamental tenet of upholding human rights at all times, the prohibition against torture is universally accepted as a norm of international law. It is a non-derogatory custom and it binds all states, whether they are signatories to relevant international treaties or whether they have national laws punishing it. It is further universally accepted that the use of torture destroys rational agency, and thereby undermines human dignity. This defines the heart of human torture. This year, the RHRC and its partners will continue to raise the level of awareness on R.A. 9745 at the grassroots level, as well as on the need to implement the law to its fullest extent and make ARMM a torture-free zone by ensuring monitoring of all activities and practices in all detention centers therein. (2) Meeting with the World Organization against Torture (OMCT) The RHRC in ARMM, along with other representatives of civil society, relevant authorities, IGOs and diplomatic missions are set to meet with the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) delegation, represented by the Human Rights Adviser Seynabou Benga on June 29, 2013 at Cotabato City. The meeting aims to assess and discuss the measures already taken in the Autonomous Region to implement the Human Rights Committee (HRC) and Committee Against Torture (CAT) recommendations in relation to the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In ARMM, human rights violations are perceived to be one of the gravest is torture-related acts against victims and detainees. Anecdotal evidence shows growing acceptance of torture or other ill treatment in the context of gathering intelligence, increasing number of cases of mistaken identity and their subsequent detention as suspected Abu Sayyaf members, and lack of accountability for those who have authorized or committed torture and other ill-treatment. The Regional Human Rights Commission has been providing legal aid services to the underprivileged and exercising its visitorial powers over jails, prisons, and detention facilities in the jurisdiction of ARMM. Moreover, the establishment of a witness protection program and legal assistance program to support HRV victims in the autonomous region are also included as key strategies of the RHRC. (3) Training-Workshop on Investigation, Legal Assistance & Case Management Towards Effective Human Rights Promotion and Protection in ARMM June 27 to July 1, 2013 El Manuel Convention and Hotel, Cotabato City As part of the RHRC’s organizational development and strengthening plans, which is being supported by AusAID, the RHRC will conduct a five-day extensive training entitled “Training-Workshop on Investigation, Legal Assistance & Case Management Towards Effective Human Rights Promotion and Protection in ARMM” from June 27 to July 1, 2013 at Cotabato City. The five-day training is generally aimed at developing skills, knowledge, and attitude among RHRC staff on the proper procedure of providing basic legal assistance and in the conduct of investigations and monitoring of human rights violations. As part of the observance of UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the training highlights topics on Investigation of Torture Cases and topic like Forensic Investigation of Alleged Torture Cases Using Istanbul Protocol, Prosecution of Torture Cases Using Medical Evidence, and Visitation and Monitoring of all activities and practices in all Jails and Detention Centers. The training underlines the need to raise the level of awareness and understanding of RHRC staff on the investigation of torture cases, to reinforce their skills on presentation and appreciation of physical and medical evidence through an increased utilization of the Istanbul Protocol, and to provide courts with effective proof of torture allegations by victims compliant to the Anti-Torture Law. The training brings together investigation and legal experts from various government and non-government agencies as the RHRC’s strategic partners in undertaking its mandate of promoting and protecting human rights in ARMM. The RHRC’s partners include the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines (CHR), SALIGAN, National Bureau of Investigations (NBI-ARMM), PA (INF), Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Balay Rehabilitation Center, Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearances (FIND), Medical Action Group (MAG), and the International Monitoring Team-Mindanao.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 03:56:01 +0000
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