There has been progress such as in passing laws for human rights and providing a ‘veneer of transparency,’ but none in walking the talk and producing results.
Int’l watchdog says impunity still reigns
Tags: Human Rights Watch
Two years under Aquino, abuses go unpunished as president reneges on promise — HRW
In the Philippines, there is still no successful prosecution of security forces for killings, ‘disappearances,’ despite Aquino’s campaign and inauguration promises for accountability.
Disband paramilitary groups now, rights groups say
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Human rights groups called for the immediate dismantling of paramilitary forces after a high-ranking military official announced that the government would do so by 2016. In a report by online news site Interaskyon.com, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, commanding general of the Philippine Army, said he sees the dismantling…
Groups score continuing rights abuses as Philippines undergoes review by UN body
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The whole world knows of the failure of the Aquino government to bring to justice human rights violators like Gen. Jovito Palparan and of the horrendous, less than one percent conviction rate of perpetrators of political killings on top of the snail-paced justice system.” – Fr. Rex RB. Reyes, NCCP
US told to keep aid to the Philippines conditional on holding rights violators liable
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The Philippine government’s pronouncements on improving human rights have been mostly talk, and not much action.” – Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch
‘Aquino not doing enough to combat impunity’ – rights groups
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“After a year and a half in office, President Aquino should be delivering on his promise to end impunity for rights abuses.” – Human Rights Watch
“I think that the Philippine government knows what to do [but] we don’t see the will to stop the culture of impunity.” – Amnesty International
Aquino gov’t doing very little to end impunity – int’l rights groups
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Human Rights Watch noted that while the public rhetoric of senior military officers has changed somewhat since Aquino took office, the change in language “has not yet been reflected in action.”
Lawyers Vow to Fight Impunity with ‘Legal Offensive’
By RONALYN V. OLEA
A group of human-rights lawyers has vowed to take what it called a “legal offensive” to curb impunity and advance the cause of human rights in the Philippines.
Sidebar: Photo Contest Highlights Fight Vs. Impunity in Philippines
Int’l Rights Group to Aquino: Probe Mistreatment of Detainees
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Aquino should promptly order a criminal investigation into the allegations of torture and ill-treatment in military custody,” the New York-based Human Rights Watch said, reacting to President Aquino’s order to drop charges against the Morong 43.
Campus Journalists to Noy: What’s Next? (PR)
Press Release November 20, 2010 “Human Rights Watch has already delivered its verdict: that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has aided the Ampatuans in its unquenchable quest for power. Our question for President Noynoy Aquino is, what’s next?” Trina Federis, College Editors Guild national president said. New York-based Human Rights Watch delivered a report, indicting Arroyo…
Human Rights Watch ‘World Report’: Abusers target human-rights defenders
Human Rights Watch, based in New York, just released its World Report on human rights. It blamed the Philippine government for the rise of private armies. It also blamed the “culture of impunity” in the Philippines for the Ampatuan massacre and other killings.