Human rights, as defined by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, are the “basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.” It’s probably the simplest definition there is, yet the 119 representatives still didn’t get it.
The Commission on Human Rights is an independent National Human Rights Institution created under the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Aside from the authorities, the following rights-holders are prioritized by the CHR: women, children, youth, persons with deprived liberty, indigenous people, local and migrant workers, internally displaced persons, persons living in poverty, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, and other marginalized groups.
To make it clearer for our readers, here are the CHR’s primary functions:
- Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights;
- Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedures, and cite for contempt for violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court;
- Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection;
- Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities;
- Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;
- Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights or their families;
- Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights;
- Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;
- Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions;
- Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with the law; and
- Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.
Now, try to squeeze everything into a P1,000 budget.
Read more:
This is how to reach the lawmakers who slashed the CHR budget
Ten things that cost more than the Commission on Human Rights’ 2018 budget