SAINT THERESA COLLEGE OF TANDAG

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

PS ELEC 3
HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

What is Human Rights?

Human Rights refers to the concept of human beings as having universal natural rights, or
status, regardless of legal jurisdiction or other localizing, such as ethnicity, nationality, and sex.

Human rights are…..

Set of standard that guarantee a life befitting a rational human being. are basic and minimum
standards without which people can’t live in dignity. guarantees the development and wholeness
of our being. are the “Foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.”

• Denial of Human Rights is not only an individual’ personal tragedy, it also creates conditions of
social and political unrest, violence and conflict within and between societies and nations.
• Human rights must be appropriate and adequate to the basic needs of the people.
• Being aware of our human rights come the responsibility in developing and protecting our
dignity and that of others.
• Human rights provide a framework for action where people are empowered to change their
lives and the society.

There are FOUR CHARACTERISTICS of Human Rights

INHERENT - essential part or our lives, intrinsic.

UNIVERSAL - people have human rights whoever they are and wherever they are.
INDIVISIBLE - human rights must be enjoyed by everyone in its full range.
INALIENABLE - can’t be taken away or transferred (but can be limited when the exercise of it is
an affront to the rights of others.

Human Rights can be classified as…

CIVIL RIGHTS – pertains to rights belonging to a person by reason of citizenship (e.g.. right to a
name, right to freedom from discrimination, right to equality before the law, right to public trial,
right to marry, right to leave a country, etc.)
POLITICAL RIGHTS – enables the people to participate in running or influencing the
administration of the government (e.g. right to vote, right to freedom of expression, right to free
and periodic elections, etc.)
ECONOMIC RIGHTS – pertains to access to resources- such as land, labor, physical, and
financial capital- that are essential for the creation, legal appropriation, and market exchange of
goods and services (e.g. right to work, right to own property, right to adequate standard of living,
etc. )
SOCIAL RIGHTS – relates to living together or enjoying life in communities or organized groups
(e.g. right to social security, right to social welfare, etc.)
CULTURAL RIGHTS – ensures the well-being of the individual and foster the preservation,
enrichment and dynamic evolution of arts, manners and way of living of a group with principles
of unity in diversity of expression ( e.g. right to take part in the cultural life, right to enjoy the
benefits of scientific progress and its application.

Right to Education

What is the Human Rights Education?

HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION entitles every woman, man, youth, and child to: - The human
right to free and compulsory elementary education and to readily available forms of secondary
and higher education. - The human right to freedom from discrimination in all areas and levels of
education, and to equal access to continuing education and vocational training, and: - The
human right to information about health, nutrition, reproduction, and family planning.

The human right to education is inextricably linked to other fundamental human rights- rights
that are universal, indivisible, interconnected and interdependent including: - The human right to
equality between men and women and to equal partnership in the family and society; - The
human right to work and receive wages that contributed to an adequate standard of living; - The
human right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief; - The human right to an
adequate standard of living, and; - The human right to participate in shaping decisions and
policies affecting one’s community, at the local, national and international levels.

Environment and Human Rights

“All people should have the right to a generally satisfactory environment favorable to their
development” - Article 24 of the African Human and People’s rights “The State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balance and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature” - Article II Section 16, 1987 Philippine Constitution

Peace and Conflict Transformation

Narrow definition of PEACE

- absence of war;
- absence of terrorism, or;
- absence of direct or physical violence (domestic violence, child abuse, sexual harassment,
etc.)

Broader definition of PEACE

- seen as a state and process of well-being and security in which human rights are respected
and basic human needs are met;
- defined holistically, and;
- seen not only the absence of direct or physical violence but also of indirect structural violence
(racism, sexism/gender biases, human rights violation, poverty, ecological imbalance, etc.)

PEACE - Is more than just the absence of war;

- The realization of justice (experience of rights and freedom)
- Not just the absence of conflict;
- Creatively dealing with conflict;
- Promoting well-being (includes basic human needs)
What is CONFLICT?
Principle/Nature of Conflict:
- Conflict is a product of our inherent differences and diversities. Thus, it is NATURAL
- Conflict is neither positive nor negative. It depends on how we approach it.
- Our approach is our choice. It is determined by our conception of conflict.

What is Conflict Transformation?

• Conflict transformation describes the fact that conflict changes things and it transforms
relationships.
• It prescribes the need for us to be aware of our conception of conflict, transform it and
eventually manifest this transformation in our behavior and attitude.
• Relationship is the focus of Conflict Transformation- changing it from one of competition to one
of cooperation.

Arms Control

What are small arms and light weapons?

Small arms and light weapons refers to weapons that can be carried by a single person, either
for military or civilian use. The term is often shortened to “small arms” or “SALW”. It covers a
wide range of weapons- pistols, machine guns and other firearms, to grenades, portable anti-
tank systems and mortars.

Small arms are weapons of mass destruction, killing hundreds of thousands of people around
the world each year. That’s far higher than the casualty count from conventional weapons of war
like tanks, bomber jets or warships.. These lethal weapons are relatively cheap, highly portable,
easily concealable, long lasting, and so easy to operate that a child as young as eight years old
can carry and use themselves. These characteristics make small arms particularly easy to traffic
illegally, and to use in violations of human rights. They are often sold illegally in exchange for
hard currency or goods such as diamonds, drugs, or other contraband. Millions of these
weapons- in fact, the majority- are owned by civilians. How they affect Human Rights?

Violence Against Women

Ano ang Violence against women?

-Ito ay anumang pagbabanta o aktwal na akto, asal, o gawi. -Naglalagay sa panganib at
nagbubunga ng pinsala at pagdurusa sa buhay, katawan, pag-iisip, dignidad at kalayaan ng
kababaihan.
-Maiuugat sa di pantay na katayuan ng kababaihan at kalalakihan sa lipunan. -Sistematikong
nangyayari ito sa pampribado at pampublikong buhay.

May Iba’t ibang porma ng pangaabuso laban sa mga kababaihan at mga batang babae: Pisikal,
emosyunal, pinansyal, at sekswal na pang-aabuso. At ang mga ito ay lumalabag sa kanilang
karapatang pantao : Karapatan sa buhay, dignidad, kalayaan at seguridad sa sarili, at ang
kanilang karapatan laban sa malupit, di makatao, at degrading na pagtrato.

ISIPIN NATIN: Bawat babaeng naaabuso ay isang buhay na nasisira. At bawat babae ay anak,
kapatid, ina o asawa at samakatuwid ay isang pamilyang naaapektuhan.

On December 10, 1984 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon
all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and “to cause it to be disseminated,
displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without
distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.”

Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR)

ARTICLES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Right to Equality Freedom from Discrimination Right to Life,

Liberty, personal Security Freedom from Slavery Freedom from Torture and Degrading
Treatment Right to Recognition as a Person before the Law Right to Equality before the Law
Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and

11. Right to be Considered Innocent until Proven Guilty

12. Freedom from Interference with Privacy, Family, Home and Correspondence
13. Right to Free Movement in and out of the Country
14. Right to Asylum in other Countries from Persecution
15. Right to a Nationality and the Freedom to Change It
16. Right to Marriage and Family
17. Right to own property
18. Freedom of Belief and Religion
19. Freedom of Opinion and Information
20. Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association
21. Right to Participate in Government and in Free Elections
22. Right to Social Security
23. Right to Desirable Work and to Join Trade Unions
24. Right to Rest and Leisure
25. Right to Adequate Living Standard
26. Right to Education
27. Right to Participate in the Cultural Life of the Community
28. Right to a Social Order that Articulates this Document
29. Community Duties Essential to Free and Full Development
30. • Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person
any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the
rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Test I - Essay (20 points each)

1. Are human rights only a problem in non-democratic countries?

2. As a student, what can you do to ensure dignity for all human beings?
3. How can you protect people from their political leaders?

Test II - Case Digest. (50 points)

Search atleast 2 cases about Human rights violation in the Philippines.

Test III – Study “Bill of Rights” of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.