College of Law, University of Easter Philippines

Catarman Northern Samar

Non-Governmental Organizations
and its role in the Promotion of Human Rights

A Research Paper Submitted to

Atty. Bobby Figueroa

by:

Kybee Ismael Macaraig

Dianne Rosales

October 31, 2014

INTRODUCTION

Many organizations around the world dedicate their efforts to

protecting human rights and ending human rights abuses. Major human
rights organizations maintain extensive websites documenting violations and
calling for remedial action, both at a governmental and grass-roots level.
Public support and condemnation of abuses is important to their success,
as human rights organizations are most effective when their calls for reform
are backed by strong public advocacy. Below are some examples of such
groups.

Globally, the champions of human rights have most often been

citizens,

not

organizations

government
(NGOs)

have

officials.
played

In
a

particular,

primary

role

nongovernmental
in

focusing

the

international community on human rights issues.

NGOs monitor the actions of governments and pressure them to act

according to human rights principles. Thus the authors of this study aims to
determine how the non-governmental organization helps to promote human
rights.

1|Page

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. To explain the history on how Non-governmental Organizations forms

part in promoting Human Rights
2. To determine what is a Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) on
Human Rights.
3. To determine the United Nation - Non-Governmental Organization
Relations.
4. To identify how Non-Governmental Organization participate in a
Human Rights Council .
5. To name some Non-Governmental Organization, international and
domestic and state activities they are engaged in on human rights.
6. Explain the Development Aggression and why is it called new form of
Human Rights violation.

2|Page

DISCUSSION

History on how Non-governmental Organizations forms

part in promoting Human Rights
The term "nongovernmental organization," or "NGO," was first
formalized within the United Nations system in 1945 with its inclusion in
Article 71 of the United Nations Charter. Article 71 provides the Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations with the power to "make
suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations
which are concerned with matters within its competence." The relationship
between ECOSOC and NGOs was further formalized in ECOSOC Resolution
1296 and ECOSOC Resolution 1996, which outline criteria for NGO
consultative status with ECOSOC. Adapted from William Korey, NGOs and
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2 (1998); Arrangements and
Practices for the Interaction of Non-Governmental Organizations in All
Activities of the United Nations System: Report of the Secretary-General,
A/53/170 (10 July 1998).

While NGOs were instrumental in achieving the inclusion of human

rights standards in the United Nations Charter in 1945, they were few in
number and influence at that time. Only forty-one NGOs held consultative
status with ECOSOC in 1948 and fewer yet focused exclusively on human
rights issues. Since the 1960s, however, the number of NGOs and their
influence both nationally and internationally has grown exponentially.
Approximately 500 NGOs held consultative status with ECOSOC in 1968;
3|Page

this number had increased to over 1000 by 1992. Adapted from William
Korey, NGOs and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2 (1998). As
the World Bank has noted, total development aid disbursed by international
NGOs increased ten-fold between 1970 and 1985. The World Bank
estimates that the number of national NGOs in developing countries is
between 6,000 and 30,000.

Human rights NGOs have also grown in influence, both nationally and
internationally. As Korey explains, NGOs "played a decisive role in
transforming the phrase ['human rights'] from but a Charter provision or a
Declaration article into a critical element of foreign policy discussions in and
out of governmental or intergovernmental circles." From William Korey,
NGOs and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 3 (1998).

NGOs work to advance international human rights around the world

principally by setting standards, documenting violations and lobbying for
effective enforcement. First, NGOs have been instrumental in setting
international

human

rights

standards.

"Standard-setting"

is

"the

establishment of international norms by which the conduct of states can be

measured or judged." From William Korey, NGOs and the Universal
Declaration

of

Human

Rights

(1998).

For

example,

NGOs

were

instrumental in achieving the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights. In addition, NGOs have pressured their national governments to sign
and ratify the treaties that embody human rights norms and have worked to
increase use of the complaint mechanisms of these treaties. NGOs also had
a significant impact at the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in
Vienna. The conference was attended by over 800 NGOs, two-thirds of
4|Page

which

were

grass-roots

organizations.

As

the

Office

for

the

High

Commissioner for Human Rights explains, the search for "common ground"
on the agenda issues at the Vienna Conference "was characterized by
intense dialogue among governments and dozens of United Nations bodies,
specialized

agencies

and

other

intergovernmental

organizations

and

thousands of human rights and development NGOs from around the world."
From OHCHR, World Conference on Human Rights. Women's NGOs were a
particularly prominent force at this conference and in pushing for the
inclusion of groundbreaking language in the conference document. NGOs
have continued to play critical roles in advancing the agenda at subsequent
United Nations conferences. Adapted from James A. Paul, NGOs and Global
Policy-Making (2000); William Korey, NGOs and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights 3 (1998).

Second, NGOs work to document violations of human rights standards.

Investigation and documentation by NGOs has been vitally important in
bringing human rights abuses to the attention of the United Nations, the
international community and the public at large. Dorothy Thomas explains
this process as follow:

Human rights practice is a method of reporting facts to promote

change. The influence of nongovernmental organizations is intimately tied to
the rigor of their research methodology. One typical method of reporting
human rights violations in specific countries is to investigate individual cases
of human rights violations through interviews with victims and witnesses,
supported by information about the abuse from other credible sources.

5|Page

From Dorothy Q. Thomas & Michele E. Beasley, Domestic Violence as a

Human Rights Violation, in Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 15, 36, 57 (1993).
Negative media exposure generated through the publishing of such human
rights reports can serve as a useful "shame sanction" in working to increase
a government's compliance with international human rights norms. Adapted
from William Korey, NGOs and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 5
(1998).

Third, NGOs work to create and support enforcement mechanisms. As

international human rights standards gained prominence, NGOs began
"spurring the creation of special UN mechanisms" to enforce these
standards while also "providing those [UN] instruments with the assembled
documentation to make their investigations productive." Some of the UN
mechanisms that have been created in part because of NGO lobbying
include the thematic and country mandates under the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights. These include Working Groups on issues
such as disappearance and detention; Special Rapporteurs on topics such as
torture, arbitrary and extrajudicial killing, violence against women, and
racism; Special Rapportueurs on particular countries, such as Cuba, Sudan,
Burma (Myanmar), Burundi and Rwanda; and Special Rapportueurs or
Representatives on groups of countries, such as the UN Special Rapporteur
for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia (later the Special Representative of the Commission
on Human Rights on the Situation of Human Rights in Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). NGOs were also the
impetus behind the creation of the UN High Commissioner for Human

6|Page

Rights. Adapted from William Korey, NGOs and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights 9-11 (1998).

The role of NGOs within the United Nations system will continue to
evolve. In a 2002 report to the United Nations, the Secretary General
emphasized the importance of the role played by NGOs in the United
Nations system, noting that the "formal deliberations and decisions of many
such meetings [of intergovernmental organizations] are now often enriched
by the debates carried out in non-governmental forums and events held in
parallel with the official conferences." The report discussed developments in
the relationship between NGOs and the United Nations, such as new
procedures that allow NGOs to give testimony to Security Council members
on certain issues, and efforts by NGOs to present collective views. Finally,
the Secretary General noted the need for reforms, such as the need for
clarification of the NGO accreditation process, and created a panel to review
these issues. Adapted from Strengthening of the United Nations: An Agenda
for Further Change, U.N. Doc. A/57/387; Global Policy Forum, NGOs and the
United Nations: Comments for the Report of the Secretary General (1999).

7|Page

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) on Human

Rights
Non-governmental organization (NGO, also often referred to as "civil
society

organization"

or

CSO)

is

not-for-profit

group,

principally

independent from government, which is organized on a local, national or

international level to address issues in support of the public good. Taskoriented and made up of people with a common interest, NGOs perform a
variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring public concerns to
governments,

monitor

policy

and

programme

implementation,

and

encourage participation of civil society stakeholders at the community level.

Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights.

NGOs have been partners of the United Nations since 1947. In

accordance with Article 71 of the UN Charter, NGOs can have consultative
status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Their
relationship with entities of the United Nations system differs depending on
their location and mandate. For example, NGOs which have an information
component can become associated with the UN Department of Public
Information (DPI) to help disseminate information on the work and aims of
the Organization.

Many

UN

Specialized Agencies

operate their

own

accreditation programmes for NGOs which are relevant to their area of

work.
Numerous local, regional and international NGOs have played an
essential role in national rule of law reform processes and at the global and
international level. Some conduct research and analysis in the legal and
8|Page

other fields (e.g. sociology, economics) relevant to the rule of law. In many
cases, they produce reports with policy recommendations, for use in their
advocacy. NGOs often serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor
and implement international agreements. Others group professionals or
other NGOs in specialized fields or professions into associations, networks or
commissions with a view to exchanging knowledge and good practices, and
facilitating the provision of rule of law assistance. Most non-governmental
organizations in the rule of law field are engaged in some form of direct
assistance or services, including advising on law-making and other forms of
technical assistance, and/or fund and manage rule of law projects.

The number of national and local NGOs worldwide that engage in such
rule of law activities is vast. This page therefore provides information only
about a range of international and regional NGOs that conduct one of
several of these activities. For ease of reference, they are categorized
broadly by the type of organization.

9|Page

United Nation - Non-Governmental Organization

Relations
Non-governmental organizations have been active in the United
Nations since its founding.

They interact with the UN Secretariat,

programmes, funds and agencies and they consult with the Member States.
NGO work related to the UN comprises a number of activities including
information dissemination, awareness raising, development education,
policy advocacy, joint operational projects, and providing technical expertise
and collaborating with UN agencies, programmes and funds.

This work is

undertaken in formal and informal ways at the national level and at the UN.

Official UN Secretariat relations with NGOs fall into two main

categories: consultations with governments and information servicing by the
Secretariat. These functions are the responsibility of two main offices of the
UN Secretariat dealing with NGOs: the NGO Unit of the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the NGO Section of the Department
of Public Information.

Formal interactions between NGOs and the UN are

governed by the UN Charter and related resolutions of ECOSOC.

In

February 2003, the Secretary-General also appointed a High Level Panel of

Eminent Persons to produce a practical set of recommendations as to how
the UN's work with Civil Society could be improved. The final report of the
Panel has been presented to the Secretary-General in June 2004.

10 | P a g e

Broadly speaking, NGOs may cooperate with the United Nations

System in at least four ways:

1. NGOs may receive accreditation for a conference, summit or other event

organized by the United Nations. Such accreditation is issued through the
Secretariat preparing the event and expires upon completion of the event.
It entitles NGOs to participate in the preparation process and in the event
itself, thus contributing to its outcome. For a compilation of all legislation
regarding NGO accreditation and participation in UN Conferences and
Summits from 1990 - 2001, please click here.

2. NGOs may establish working relations with particular Departments,

Programmes or Specialized Agencies of the United Nations System, based
on shared fields of interest and potential for joint activities complementing
the work of the United Nations office in a particular area. For a list of NGO
Focal points throughout the UN System, please click here.

The NGLS

Handbook also provides a wealth of information on Civil Society engagement

throughout the UN system.

3. International NGOs active in the field of economic and social development

may seek to obtain consultative status with the United Nations Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC).

For requirements concerning consultative

status with ECOSOC, please contact the ECOSOC NGO Section by clicking
the link above.

11 | P a g e

4. NGOs that have at their disposal regular means of disseminating

information,

either

through

their

publications,

radio

or

television

programmes, or through their public activities such as conferences, lectures,

seminars or workshops, and that are willing to devote a portion of their
information programmes to dissemination of information about the United
Nations, may apply for association with the United Nations Department of
Public Information (DPI).

Whether affiliated with the United Nations system or not, NGOs can
obtain United Nations public information materials from the United Nations
Information Centres in countries of their operations.

12 | P a g e

NGO Participation in the Human Rights Council

What is the Human Rights Council?
The

Human

Rights

Council

is

the

principal

United

Nations

intergovernmental body responsible for human rights. It is composed of 47

Member States, which meets in at least three sessions per year in Geneva,
Switzerland.

Its role includes addressing violations of human rights, including gross

and systematic violations, the promotion of respect for human rights for all,
and effective coordination and mainstreaming of human rights within the UN
system. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
is the secretariat for the Human Rights Council.

13 | P a g e

How does it work?

Elected for three-year terms, Member States of the Council discuss, take
action and pass resolutions related to various items of a standing agenda:

1. Organizational and procedural matters

2. Annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and
reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the UN SecretaryGeneral
3. Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic,
social and cultural rights, including the right to development
4. Human rights situations that require the Councils attention
5. Human rights bodies and mechanisms
6. Universal Periodic Review
7. Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
8. Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action
9. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of
intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action
10. Technical assistance and capacity-building

During a given session the Council considers the activities of its

subsidiary human rights procedures and mechanisms, and may organize
panel discussions and special events to enhance dialogue and mutual

14 | P a g e

understanding on specific issues. Outside its normal sessions, the Council

may also hold special sessions related to country-specific or thematic issues.

In addition to Member States of the Council, Observers, which include

non-Member States, inter-governmental organizations, national human
rights institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), may also
participate in a session. The Councils session are broadcast live via
webcast. Past sessions are archived.

15 | P a g e

How to participate in a session of the Council?

Only NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC) can be accredited to participate in the Human
Rights Councils sessions as Observers.
Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 of July 1996.
Check your NGO in the ECOSOC NGO database.
For information on how your NGO can apply for ECOSOC consultative
status.

As Observers, NGOs are able, amongst other things, to:

Attend and observe all proceedings of the Council with the exception of
the Council deliberations under the Complaints Procedure;
Submit written statements to the Human Rights Council;
Make oral interventions to the Human Rights Council;
Participate in debates, interactive dialogues, panel discussions and
informal meetings; and
Organize parallel events on issues relevant to the work of the Human
Rights Council.

16 | P a g e

Non-Governmental

Organization,

international

and

domestic and their activities engaged on Human Rights

International Non-Governmental Organizations on Human Rights
The following are some of the International NGO's on Human Rights:
Amnesty International:
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people
who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for
all. With more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in
more than 150 countries, they conduct research and generate
action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand
justice for those whose rights have been violated. www.amnesty.org

Childrens Defense Fund (CDF):

The CDF is a child advocacy organization that works to ensure a level
playing field for all children. CDF champions policies and programs that lift
children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect and ensure
their right to equal care and education. www.childrensdefense.org

Human Rights Action Center:

The Human Rights Action Center is a nonprofit organization
based in Washington, DC, headed by Jack Healey, worldrenowned human rights activist and pioneer. The Center

17 | P a g e

works on issues of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and uses the
arts and technologies to innovate, create and develop new strategies to stop
human rights abuses. They also support growing human rights groups all
over the world.www.humanrightsactioncenter.org

Human Rights Watch:

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human
rights of people around the world. They investigate and expose
human

rights

violations,

hold

abusers

accountable,

and

challenge governments and those who hold power to end

abusive practices and respect international human rights law.www.hrw.org

Human Rights Without Frontiers: (HRWF)

HRWF focuses on monitoring, research and analysis in the field of
human rights, as well as promotion of democracy and the rule of law on the
national and international level.www.hrwf.net

National

Association

for

the

Advancement

of

Colored

People

(NAACP):
The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational,
social and economic quality of rights of all persons and to
eliminate

racial

hatred

and

racial

discrimination. www.naacp.org
18 | P a g e

Simon Wiesenthal Center:

This prestigious international Jewish human rights organization
is dedicated to repairing the world one step at a time. The
Center generates changes by confronting anti-Semitism, hate
and terrorism, promoting human rights and dignity, standing
with Israel, defending the safety of Jews worldwide, and
teaching

the

lessons

of

the

Holocaust

for

future

generations. www.wiesenthal.com

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights mission is to work for the protection of human rights for
all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and
to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring
that they are implemented. www.ohchr.org

Human Rights Council:

An intergovernmental body with membership encompassing fortyseven states, the Human Rights Council has the task of promoting and
protecting human rights internationally. Its mechanisms to forward these
ends include a Universal Periodic Review which assesses situations in all 192
UN Member States, an Advisory Committee which provides expertise on
human rights issues, and a Complaints Procedure for individuals and

19 | P a g e

organizations to bring human rights violations to the attention of the

Council.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO):
UNESCOs goal is to build peace in the minds of men. Its
work in the field of human rights aims to strengthen
awareness and acts as a catalyst for regional, national and
international action in human rights. www.unesco.org

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

This office directs and coordinates international action to
protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can
exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in
another state, with the option to return home voluntarily,
integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. www.unhcr.org

20 | P a g e

US State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and

Labor:
The US State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor strives to learn the truth and state the
facts in all of its human rights investigations, annual
reports on country conditions, etc. The bureau takes
action to stop ongoing abuses and maintains partnerships
with organizations committed to human rights. www.state.gov

Office

of

Democratic

Institutions

and

Human

Rights

of

the

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE):

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of
the OSCE, comprised of fifty-six participating states from
Europe, Central Asia and North America, is engaged in
human rights activities focusing on freedom of movement
and religion and preventing torture and trafficking in
persons. www.osce.org/odihr

Commission for Human Rights, Council of Europe

The Commission is an independent institution within the
Council of Europe mandated to promote the awareness of
and respect for human rights in forty-seven Council of
Europe Member States. The Commissions work thus
focuses on encouraging reform measures to achieve
21 | P a g e

tangible improvement in the area of human rights promotion and protection.

Being a nonjudicial institution, the Commissioners Office cannot act upon
individual complaints, but the Commission can draw conclusions and take
wider initiatives on the basis of reliable information regarding human rights
violations suffered by individuals. www.coe.int

European Union Ombudsman:

The European Union Ombudsman investigates complaints
about maladministration in the institutions and bodies of
the European Union. The Ombudsman is completely
independent and impartial.www.ombudsman.europa.eu

European Commission Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs

and Equal Opportunities:
The

European

Commissions

Directorate-General

for

Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities works

toward the creation of more and better jobs, an inclusive
society

and

equal

opportunities

for

all. www.ec.europa.eu/social

22 | P a g e

African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights:

This Commission is officially charged with three major
functions: the protection of human and peoples rights, the
promotion of these rights, and the interpretation of the
African

Charter

on

Human

and

Peoples

Rights. www.achpr.org

The Asian Human Rights Commission:

Asian Human Rights Commission works to achieve the
following

priorities,

among

others:

to

protect

and

promote human rights by monitoring, investigation, advocating and taking

solidarity actions.www.ahrchk.net

23 | P a g e

Philippine Non-Governmental Organization on Human Rights

Some international non-governmental organizations on human rights
have their national sections in many countries. There are more than 30
NGO's on human rights in the Philippines collaborating with the Commission
on Human Rights and other relevant government agencies, actively working
for the promotion and protection of human rights. A partial list of the NGOs
contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights in the
Philippines are the following:

Center for Overseas Workers

The

Center

for

Overseas

Workers

conducts

pre-employment

information campaigns on the issues of migrant and women's exploitation

and provides counseling, referrals and assistance in filing complaints with
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Childpope Asia / Philippines

CHILDHOPE is a Philippine NGO, that is non-profit, non-political, nonsectarian organization whose principal purpose is to advocate for the cause
of street children throughout the world.

24 | P a g e

Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC)

The Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) is a non-profit research institute
dedicated to the study of human migration and refugee movements from
and within Asia.

Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women

Third World Movement addresses the issue of exploitation and
responds to the needs of sexually exploited people.

Viasayan Forum Foundation, Inc.

VISAYAN FORUM FOUNDATION, INC. (VF) works for the welfare of
marginalized migrants, especially those working in the invisible and informal
sectors, like domestic workers, and trafficked women and children.
licensed

and

accredited

by

the

Department

of

Social

Welfare

It is
and

Development (DSWD) to provide "residential care and community-based

programs and services for women and children in especially difficult
circumstances." It is most known for its pioneering and documented work
on domestic workers in the Philippines, especially in pushing for the
Domestic Workers Bill or the Batas Kasambahay.

Balay Rehabilitation Center

A Philippine human rights NGO providing psychosocial rehabilitation to
internally displaced persons and other victims of human rights violations.
25 | P a g e

Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND)

FIND is a nationwide mass organization of families, relatives, friends
and colleagues of the disappeared victims and surfaced desaparecidos that
is advocating human rights and participative empowerment.

Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) is an
alliance of individuals, institutions and organizations committed to the
promotion, protection and realization of human rights in the Philippines.

Amnesty International - Philippines

The official Philippine chapter of Amnesty International (AI), a
worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized
human rights.

Medical Action Group

At the height of the Marcos dictatorship, a group of doctors and
concerned individuals saw the need for the health sector to collectively
respond and speak against the grave human rights violations perpetrated by
the regime. thus, in April 16, 1982, the Medical Action Group (MAG) was
born.

26 | P a g e

Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights)

PhilRights is the research and information arm of the Philippine
Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA). PhilRights is a research and
information institution that provides information, documentation, research
and analyses.

Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)

FLAG is a nation-wide human rights lawyers organization committed to
the protection and promotion of human rights and civil liberties.

27 | P a g e

Development Aggression called new form of Human

Rights Violation
Development aggression is a term used by indigenous peoples to refer
to development projects that violate their human rights. It refers to projects
planned or progressed without free, prior and informed consent from an
impacted local community as required by international law, such as in the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
While recorded figures show a decline in human rights abuses, as
commonly defined, in the Philippines, human rights advocates say violations
have taken on the new form of development aggression.
Some 1,000 rallyists here in the southern Philippines and 2,000 in
Manila pointed to the governments targeted rapid development of the
countryside through industrialization as the cause of many recent human
rights abuses.
The rallies were held Dec. 10 to mark Human Rights Day.
The government Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in
Mindanao released that day a report showing that the number of human
rights cases on the island dropped by 39 percent from last years 204 to
this years 124.
According to the CHR, police were named violators in 75 of the cases,
the Communist-led New Peoples Army in 28, and the army in 27. Other
named violators included members of paramilitary units and government
officials.

28 | P a g e

But organizers of the rally in Davao City said the government violates
the collective rights of its citizens when it uproots urban communities and
rural villages to make way for development projects.
Since June 30, 1992, when President Fidel Ramos took office, 69,868
people have been displaced in 11,643 cases of forced relocation, said Joel
Virador of the Southern Mindanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates.
The forced relocations included demolitions, insurgency war-related
evacuations and clearing of rural areas for power and irrigation, mining and
commercial tree plantation projects, Virador said.
A Muslim woman speaker at the rally in Davao City, 960 kilometers
southeast of Manila, raised the issue of the government fueling communal
tensions by making Muslims "scapegoats" for crimes and violence.
Groups such as Abu Sayyaf, Muslim extremists in western Mindanao who
have kidnapped civilians and killed security personnel, continue to be
mentioned whenever major crimes are being labeled as instigated by
Muslims, she said.
Rallies were also held in other Mindanao cities and towns.
A Manila rally led by the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the
Philippines focused on the plight of political prisoners.
About 400 Religious massed at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupe,
south of Manila, to show their solidarity with 67 political prisoners who
continue to be detained after having been charged by the government with
common crimes.

29 | P a g e

Another Manila rally was staged by about 1,000 Bagong Alyansang

Makabayan (new nationalist alliance) members, which also served as a
funeral procession for the late Wilfredo Custodio, a League of Urban Poor for
Action leader.
In the evening, University of the Philippines students joined Amnesty
International representatives in lighting 3,000 candles at a campus park.

30 | P a g e

Statics Provided by Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of

Peoples Rights) on Human Rights violations as of June 2014 in the
Philippines

31 | P a g e

32 | P a g e

33 | P a g e

CONCLUSION

34 | P a g e