Name: Charisse Alexia S.

Dinopol
Subject: BA 210 Business Environment with Enterprise Risk Management

Scholarly Essay #3: Anti-Terror Law is Another Setback for Human Rights?

Philippines has been dealing with terrorism particularly in the South, which has been
a hub for both local and international terrorism activities. The authorities said that the
Anti-Terrorism Law is to address the issue of terrorism and all related activities, while
ensuring the protection of our civil and political rights. But the human rights groups in
the Philippines have expressed dismay that the Court affirmed the majority of the
anti-terror law’s provisions, saying that this is bad for the nation’s democracy because
it jeopardizes human rights.

For me, democracy and human rights are seriously threats by terrorism. Although
action by the authorities is required to deter and successfully sanction terrorist
attacks, not all methods are acceptable. The authorities have a strong obligation to
uphold the fundamental human rights, without compromising the general interest of
public security and the rule of law.

The commissioner of human rights also have reviewed the war on terrorism in recent
years, studies have shown that a wide range of human rights are affected by counter
terrorism measures, notably the right to life, the prohibition on torture or inhuman or
degrading treatment, the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair, and respect
for private and family life. Giving up human rights in the battle against terrorism is a
serious mistake and an ineffective measure that may help the terrorists’’ cause.
Human rights-aware policies uphold the ideals that terrorists want to destroy,
undermine radicalization among prospective supporters, and increase public faith in
the rule of law.

The “monstrous” fact about under the law is; persons, who recruit members of a
terrorist group, propose, encourage, conspire, or participate in the planning, training,
or facilitation of an offense under the act might receive a life sentence without the
possibility of parole. The legislation's definition of "terrorist" is ambiguous. The
offenses are also subject to a 12-year prison sentence under the statute.

Addition to that, according to the law, suspects may be held without a judicial order of
arrest for 14 days, which can be prolonged by 10 additional days, and placed under
police or military surveillance for 60 days, which can also be extended by up to 30
days.

The Philippines have always been at war. In order to achieve peace, we must act in
the face of numerous crises related to war. If you are not a terrorist, you should not
be afraid of anti-terrorism laws. The Anti-Terrorism Law's frightful aspect is the
persons who have recently been accused or falsely implicated as terrorists. The Law
is made to state that there is a strong punishment against the terrorist activities due
to continuous bombing of public places killing a lot of people to derail the nation.