Bulatlatan
Written by: Commission on Human Rights
Published: Bulatlatan, March 7, 2010;
Source: Bulatlatan snapshot at the Internet Archive;
Markup: Simoun Magsalin.
In the spirit of deepening the free and democratic discussions among our revolutionary cadres, friends and allies, we are reposting the press release of the reactionary government’s Commission on Human Rights on the so-called “Permit-to-Campaign Scheme” without further editorial comment.
The Editors
25 February 2010
Noting recent media reports relative to the “Permit-to-Campaign Scheme” being implemented by the New People’s Army (NPA) and other non-state actors in the current election period, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) felt compelled to issue today, February 25, a Human Rights Advisory condemning such recurring practice and proposing a number of recommendations to address the same.
Citing basic principles on the human rights to electoral participation and to suffrage, as enshrined in the Constitution, Supreme Court decisions and human rights instruments, principally, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the CHR, in its 8-page Advisory, declared, in part:
“The ‘Permit to Campaign Scheme’ which, in plain language, is a form of extortion being perpetrated by the New Peoples Army and other non-state actors, is repugnant in all possible ways to valued human rights principles and standards, not only of candidates and political parties, but of the individual voters as well.”
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“This practice arrogates to the requiring group the powers rightfully belonging to the people and lawfully designated authorities. It disregards the rule of law, and scoffs at the principles of free, fair and genuine elections.”
The CHR further reminds that non-state actors, such as NPAs and other opposition armed groups, may also be held liable for human rights violations:
“True, the State has the primary responsibility of promoting and protecting human rights, however, this does not in any way exempt nor diminish the obligations of non-state actors for violations of human rights under international law. Suffice it to say, the State and its actors does not have the monopoly of human rights violations. All violators of human rights challenge the human dignity of every human person.
“This cannot be overemphasized in the instant case. Election is, after all, the concern of everyone – states, individuals and non-state actors.”
Explaining further the import of this latest Advisory from the CHR, Chairperson Leila M. De Lima said: “Many human rights are affected, as they are impaired, by this pervading practice attributed to the NPAs, such as the rights to equality, free expression, freedom of movement and freedom against discrimination. This Advisory serves as a reminder to the NPA and other non-state actors that they too have obligations and liabilities for human rights violations under international law. This is also our way of educating the public on the ill effects of this practice which should never be countenanced by the candidates, political parties and the authorities. Not only is it an unfair and illegal electoral practice, but it cuts deep into the very essence of free and genuine suffrage. We are thus issuing this Advisory in line with our monitoring and advocacy/human rights education mandates.”
CHR’s recommendations are addressed to political parties, candidates, DILG, LGUs, law enforcers, COMELEC and other authorities, such as the Joint Monitoring Committee, as well as to the non-state actors themselves.
http://www.chr.gov.ph/MAIN%20PAGES/news/PR_25Feb2010_Campaign.htm