HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK CELEBRATION
CHR Regional Office I Report

I. Introduction

      The 64th Anniversary Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was another significant milestone in the history of the UDHR since it was adopted and ratified in December 10, 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly as the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. The theme of this year’s Anniversary celebration is : “MY VOICE COUNTS IN ENDING IMPUNITY: I Work for Human Rights-Based Governance” . . The observance of this year’s anniversary serves as a rallying call, for the promise of dignity and justice is far from being realized for everyone and as a vital step in promoting, enhancing and instilling nationwide awareness and appreciation of the value of human rights.

      Since 1988, the time when regional field offices of the Commission on Human Rights were established throughout the country, the observance of the Human Rights Week on December 3-10 has become more than a tradition but a duty that is widely participated by national/regional government agencies, local government units, the academe, SUCs and private institutions as well as non-government organizations. The programs and activities for the celebration are drawn up by the CHR Central Office and its regional offices. CHR-Region 1 on its part undertook a variety of activities to engage more stakeholders in the process. The varied activities undertaken are summarized under Table 1.

Table 1. Summary of Activities for UDHR64 Celebration Undertaken by CHR-Region 1

Activities Undertaken	No. Of Pax	Sector/Group Targetted	Venue/ Location	Date
Sending of letters by mail or e-mail to LGUs, RLAs, NGAs, SUCs & HEIs to undertake related activities during the Human Rights Week which include hoisting of streamers depicting this year’s theme: “MY VOICE COUNTS IN ENDING IMPUNITY: I Work for Human Rights-Based Governance”. Recitation of the “Panunumpa sa Karapatang Pantao” during flag raising either on December 3 or 10		National/Regional Line Agencies, LGUs, SUCs and HEIs		Continuing November 15-30,’12; December 3, 2013
1. A. Hanging of streamer by CHR-1 and other NGAs/RLAs/SUCs/HEIs     B. Recitation of the Panunumpa sa Karapatang Pantao		Regional/National Line Agencies/PNP/SUCs/HEIs	CHR-1 office and in their respective offices	Nov 15- Dec 15   Dec 3/10
2. “Two-day Regional Stakeholders’ Orientation-Seminar on Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745) and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations	50	Law Enforcers (PNP,BJMP, Provincial Jail, NBI), Academe, Youth & NGAs/RLAs concerned	ORT Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative, SFCLU	Dec 6-7
3. Jail Visitations		Detainees	San Fernando City Police Station (Locked up cell) and at BJMP City Jail, SFCLU	Dec 7
4. Bombo Radio Interview re 64 th Anniversary of UDHR			CHR-1 office	Dec 10

A. Preparation for the 64th Anniversary of UDHR and HR Consciousness Week

The Office of the Regional Director (OIC) and the Promotions and Linkages Development Division (PLDD) led this years UDHR anniversary celebration. The planning activity underwent the usual process of passing and deliberating on the initial proposal of activities and revisions until it was finally approved for implementation. Thus, the activities planned and approved for implementation were categorized under each of the following:

1. Agency Cooperation in celebrating UDHR and Human Rights Consciousness Week
2. The conduct of a two-day REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ ORIENTATION-SEMINAR ON ANTI TORTURE ACT OF 2009 (RA 9745) AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS
3. Participation with Partners in UDHR celebration and related Activities

B. Accomplishments

      1. Agency Cooperation in celebrating UDHRand Human Rights Consciousness Week

      The PLDD is in charge of disseminating letters to all national/regional government agencies, LGUs, SUCs and private HEIs to participate in the celebration of the 64th Anniversary of the UDHR by “Hanging of Streamer” in their respective offices. Of those reached and received by this regional office, the following responded and joined the CHR in commemorating the said important occasion, to wit:

1. National Commission on Indigenous People
2. Philippine National Police Regional Office 1 (all PPOs down to CPS/MPS
3. BJMP RO1
4. DSWD
5. Commission on Audit
6. Department of Education
7. DOLE
8. Lyceum Northwestern Luzon (LNU Dagupan)
9. Saint Louis College
10. Mariano Marcos State University
11. University of Northern Philippines

      2. The conduct of a two-day REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ ORIENTATION-SEMINAR ON ANTI TORTURE ACT OF 2009 (RA 9745) AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS

      The holding of this two-day Stakeholder’s Forum was initiated by this regional office in coordination with AVO Director Dr. Renante Basas who facilitated the funding hereof. This activity was attended in by more or less 50 participants majority of whom came from the law enforcement sector. Others came from the youth, academe and concerned NGAs/RLAs. Topics discussed in line with the theme were Human Rights-Based Governance, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745) and Its IRR.

      Simultaneous to the activity were the giving of commendations to deserving prison/detention centers and the oath-taking ceremony of the officers of the Youth for Human Rights in Region 1.

      3. Participation with Partners in UDHR celebration and related Activities

      In the afternoon of December 7, 2012, PNP RO1 HRAO and PPO La Union HRAO joined as a team in inspecting/visiting the locked up cell and the BJMP City Jail.

 

Atty. Romel P. Daguimol, CHR Region I OIC, discussing the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.
The participants.
Danilo T. Balino on RBADG		Jail Insp Gonzalo on the Role of BJMP