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Ateneo School of Government, Social Development Complex,
Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights Campus
11 June 2009
delivered by
LEILA M. DE LIMA
Chairperson
STATEMENT
Good afternoon, to all of you.
First of all, let me express my appreciation, for the work being done by the Advocates for a Peace Covenant.
The time we have between today and next year’s general election represents an opportunity. Persons and parties will be vying for our attention, eager to make themselves seem more electable in our eyes. Candidates will be crafting platforms and plans, visiting our communities, and appearing on radio and television shows.
There will never be a better time for us to address our questions, to these candidates seeking government office. There will never be a better time for us to clarify, where these politicians stand on issues of importance, and just how committed they are to these positions.
Few issues are as important as the peace process and human rights. The peace process is key, because internal armed conflict has led to the deaths of so many, the displacement of hundreds of thousands, and human suffering on an even wider scale. The protection of human rights is vital, because when this protection is undermined, as it has been in the Philippines, summary executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, become all too common.
It is incumbent upon all of us, at this point, to confirm where our future government leaders stand, on the issues of human rights and the peace process. Moreover, we must work to obtain from these candidates the appropriate commitments on these issues.
That is precisely what this Peace Covenant is about, and that is why the Commission on Human Rights greatly appreciates the work being done by the Advocates of this Covenant.
Our time today is short, so allow me to make one brief point.
One of the key things that the Peace Covenant does, is remind politicians and candidates, as well as other members of society, that human rights must be respected by the government.
When the Covenant speaks of “putting an end to political killings,” it directly addresses the inherent right to life. When it talks of, “due respect” for the “diverse voices in our society,” it highlights the right to hold opinions without interference, and the right to freedom of expression.
These are rights made explicit in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international treaty to which the Philippines has been a party, since 1986. This treaty specifically requires the Philippine government to respect and ensure these rights.
Moreover, the Peace Covenant goes on to enumerate some of the “basic needs of our people.” As it does so, it calls attention to the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to adequate food and housing, the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and the right to education.
These rights are embodied in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which the Philippines ratified in 1974. It specifically requires the government to take steps, to the maximum of its available resources, to progressively achieve the full realization of these rights.
It is worth repeating that these international human rights treaties create binding legal obligations, on the part of the Philippine government. The Philippines could have chosen not to ratify these treaties, but it did. Therefore, the Philippine government must abide by these treaties, and the rights contained therein, and future elected officials, once they assume office, must abide by these treaties as well.
The response of candidates and politicians to this Peace Covenant will be eye opening. Will persons subscribe to the Covenant, and by doing so, acknowledge the international legal obligations of the Philippine government, in relation to human rights?
Or will parties ignore, or refuse to commit to this Peace Covenant, and by doing so, demonstrate a willingness to turn a blind eye to international legal obligations, to choose political expedience over public duty, to favor unenlightened self interest over professional integrity?
At this point, let me also say, that the Commission on Human Rights considers it a great honor to be designated as the Principal Witness and Independent Monitor, for this Peace Covenant.
The work of the Commission on Human Rights, and the Philippine peace process, impact directly on one another. Efforts to promote human rights, and achieve a lasting peace, are inextricably intertwined.
The International Council on Human Rights Policy noted that:
“Human rights abuses are both a cause as well as a symptom of conflicts, and action to tackle them is often a vital component of policies to bring about peace. Action to protect human rights may also convince parties … that their fears of discrimination, domination and annihilation can be addressed by means other than violence.”
This relationship between human rights and peace offers us challenges as well as potential solutions. The Peace Covenant forms an integral part of the effort, to address these two issues, minimize any tension between the two, and take advantage of any synergies.
Over the coming months, we look forward to monitoring this Peace Covenant, as it acts as a litmus test, for candidates' commitment to achieving progress through peaceful means, and as it serves as a benchmark for politicians' dedication to the protection of human rights in the Philippines.
I am encouraged by the presence here today of individuals and organizations, from different backgrounds, and with different advocacies, coming together united in the belief, that peaceful negotiation is preferred to military action, and that human rights are vital to the peace process, as well as to the coming general election.
I also take heart from the recent history of our nation. In 1986, a snap election was held, characterized by widespread violence, intimidation, and other human rights violations. Yet in defiance of a dictator, and the awesome security machinery of government, individuals and groups chose to make their stand.
At the Philippine International Convention Center, around thirty technicians who were operating the Comelec's tabulation machines, stood up, and filed out of the room, in protest of the manipulation of election results. In Pampanga and Antique, Assumption nuns walked long distances to provincial centers, where they wrapped their arms around ballot boxes, in order to prevent the military from taking them away.
There was no shortage of individuals, who held onto their courage and convictions, unable and unwilling to let that election, that opportunity for change, simply slip away.
There was a song playing in those days, by the Apo Hiking Society, whose words helped capture the mood of the nation.
Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit nang walang dahas.
Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.
Even today, we long for a society characterized by truth, freedom, and justice. We continue to believe that we can get there, through peaceful means.
And we recognize that the change we seek will only come our way, when we seek it together, because no vested interest, no advocate of the status quo, no armed group, and no amount of wealth or power, can stand in the way of a people, possessed of courage, acting out of conviction, and motivated by a desire to make this nation a better place, for our children, and our children's children.
SOURCES
Peace Covenant, par. 2.
Peace Covenant, par. 4.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, G.A. res. 2200A (XXI), 21 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 16) at 52, U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171, entered into force Mar. 23, 1976.
Peace Covenant, par. 2.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, G.A. res. 2200A (XXI), 21 U.N.GAOR Supp. (No. 16) at 49, U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 993 U.N.T.S. 3, entered into force Jan. 3, 1976.
Negotiating Justice? Human Rights and Peace Agreements, International Council on Human Rights Policy, 2006, p. 9.
Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo, Apo Hiking Society, 1986.