Manila ‘fails to rights abusers’

published by asingh on Tue, 02/05/2013 - 20:41

The Philippine government made headway in human rights legislation in 2012 but failed to hold security forces accountable for abuses, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in its World Report 2013.

“The overall human rights situation in the Philippines improved in 2012 with fewer extrajudicial killings and the passage of historic laws promoting rights,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch in a statement released by HRW-Philippines.

“But the government has failed to address impunity for the most serious abuses. On prosecuting rights abusers, it needs to walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” he said.

Since 2001, local human rights groups have recorded 114 cases of extrajudicial killings of leftist activists, journalists, rights defenders, and clergy.

The groups recorded 13 such cases in 2012 including the killing of three journalists.

A total of 10 journalists were killed since 2010, reports said.

“Despite strong evidence that military personnel have been involved, investigations have stalled. No one was convicted for political killings in 2012,” HRW said.

The government said it is trying to give justice to victims.

“Prosecution is not completely in our hands. Judges have a lot of influence over how quickly or slowly a trial proceeds. Having said that, we do feel the need to work harder to obtain convictions,” Communication Secretary Ricky Carandang said when asked for the government’s reaction.

HRW acknowledged that laws were enacted by Congress to improve human rights. Aquino has signed a law providing for mandatory reproductive healthcare, an act criminalising enforced disappearances, and a law to protect the welfare of domestic workers.

The group said that with the passing of cyber crime law which imposed lengthy sentences for broadly defined online crimes, freedom of expression is threatened.

The report also criticised attacks against environmental activists opposing mining and energy operations.

“If 2012 was the year for new laws promoting human rights, then 2013 should be the year for effective action,” Adams said.