May 12, 2024 - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a significant step towards bolstering human rights protection in the Philippines. On May 8, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 22, establishing a “Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination.”
The special committee, chaired by the Executive Secretary and co-chaired by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary, includes the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretaries as members. The committee’s creation aims to enhance mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
In his order, President Marcos emphasized the importance of sustaining and enhancing the accomplishments of the United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights (UNJP), set to expire on July 31, 2024. He stressed the need for a robust multi-stakeholder process for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.
The Philippines has been a partner of the UNJP, engaging in capacity-building and technical cooperation in areas of law enforcement, criminal justice, and policy-making. The country is also a State Party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat will serve as the Secretariat of the special committee. The committee is mandated to conduct investigations, gather data on alleged human rights violations by law enforcement agencies, expand civic space and engagement with the private sector, and implement a human rights-based approach towards drug control and counter-terrorism.
Furthermore, the special committee is tasked to monitor and ensure the effective implementation of government policies and programs aimed at upholding and protecting the human rights of persons deprived of liberty. This includes guaranteeing that no one is subjected to torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Government agencies are directed to render full support and assistance to the special human rights body and ensure the implementation of AO 22. This move signifies the government’s commitment to uphold and protect human rights in the country.