CLJ 101- HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

NONILITO O.CARPIO
INSTRUCTOR

IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE RIGHT, USE YOUR RIGHTS

HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

History of human rights education, in 1993 the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna reaffirmed the importance of
human rights education as essential for the promotion and achievement of stable and harmonious relations among communities
and for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance and peace. The plan of action for the decade further defines human rights
education as training, dissemination and information efforts aimed at the building of a universal culture of human rights through
the imparting of knowledge and skills and the molding of attitudes which are directed to: The strengthening of respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms; The full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity;
The promotion of understanding, tolerance, gender equality, and friendship among all nations, indigenous peoples and racial,
national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups; The enabling of all persons to participate effectively in a free society .
The furtherance of the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. During this decade, the UN is urging and
supporting all its member states to make information about human rights available to everyone through both the formal school
system and popular and adult education

The teaching of human rights in Philippine schools is mandated by article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that
all educational institutions shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity and respect for human rights. This
was further reinforced by the issuance of executive order No. 27, s. 1987 entitled "Education to Maximize Respect for Human
Rights" following the peaceful EDSA revolution in 1986. These mandates were the bases for the issuance of DECS Order No. 61,
s. 1987 on the "Inclusion of the study of human rights and accompanying responsibilities in the school curricula at all levels.
Since then, human rights concepts have been integrated in different subject areas such as social studies, values education for
elementary and secondary levels, and Political Science and Practical Law for tertiary level.

Human Rights in the Philippines, or the absence of these rights, are better understood through the prism of colonialism. Over
the last 400 years the Filipino people have suffered under first 330 years of Spanish colonialism and then a further 45 years of
American rule.  Under Spanish colonialism, many nationalists were killed simply for advocating independence. The Spanish
period was followed by a particularly brutal period of “pacification” when hundreds of thousands of Filipinos were killed
resisting integration into the new American Empire.

Brief History of Human Rights

Historical origin of human rights goes back to 539 B.C. when Cyrus, the great (king of ancient Persia) conquered the city of
Babylon, he freed all slaves to return home and declared people to choose their own religion and even maintained racial
equality. The idea of human rights quickly spread from Babylon to many nations especially India, Greece and eventually Rome
where the concept of natural law arose in observation of the fact that people tended to follow certain unwritten laws in due
course of life. There the concept of “natural law” arose, in observation of the fact that people tended to follow certain unwritten
laws in the course of life, and Roman law was based on rational ideas derived from the nature of things.

Significance of the Development of Human Rights

Documents asserting individual rights, such as the Magna Carta (1215)

Petition of Right (1628)
French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789)
US Bill of Rights (1791) are the written precursors to many of today’s human rights documents

Human Rights Definition

United Nation Definition
Human rights -Those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which, we cannot live as human beings

Philippines
Human rights - Human rights may be defined as the supreme, inherent and inalienable rights to life, to dignity, and to self-
development. It is the essence of these rights that’s make man human. Human rights are fundamental freedom which are
necessary and indispensable in order to enable every member of the human race to live a life of dignity.
 International Bill of Rights

 The right to equality and freedom from discrimination

 The right to life, liberty, and personal security
 Freedom from torture and degrading treatment
 The right to equality before the law
 The right to a fair trial The right to privacy
 Freedom of belief and religion
 Freedom of opinion

What are Human Rights

 It is difficult to stand up for what you believe in

 Human rights defined as those basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity as human being
 Human rights are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
 The foundation of human rights, such as respect for human life and human dignity can be found in most religious and
philosophies
 Human Rights are Birthright – Those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot live as human
being

Source of Human Rights

The primary sources of Human rights are obviously the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the
various human rights documents and treaties that followed such as those by, the Council of Europe, the Organization of
American States, the European Union etc.

Who Needs Human Rights Education

 Administrators of Justice
 Law enforcement personnel, including police and security forces
 Prison officials
 Lawyers, judges, and prosecutors -
 Other Government and Legislative Officials:
 Members of the legislature
 Public officials, elected and appointed
 Members of the military
 Other Professionals:
 Educators
 Social workers
 Health professionals
 Journalists and media representatives
 Organizations, Associations, and Groups
 women’s organizations
 community activists and civic leaders
 minority groups
 members of the business community
 trade unionists
 indigenous peoples
 religious leaders and others with a special interest in social justice issues
 children and youth
 students at all levels of education
 refugees and displaced persons
 people of all sexual orientations
 poor people, whether in cities or rural areas
 people with disabilities
 migrant workers

Characteristics of Human Rights

 
 Human rights are generally characterized as inherent, fundamental, inalienable, impermissible, indivisible, universal and
interdependent.
 Human rights are inherent because they are not granted by any person or authority.
 Human rights are fundamental because without them the life and the dignity of man will be meaningless.
 Human rights are imprescriptible because they cannot be lost even by the long period of time.
 Human rights are indivisible they are not capable of being divided.
 Human rights are universal to all human being irrespective of their origin status or condition or place where they live.
 Human rights are interdependent because the fulfillment or exercise of one cannot be had without the realization of other.

Classification of human Rights

 
According to source
 Natural rights - Are God giving rights acknowledge by everybody to be morally good. they are unwritten but they prevail as
norms of the society. Example the rights to life, dignity and self-development.
 Constitutional rights - are those rights which are conferred and protected by the constitution and which cannot be modified
or taken by the law-making body.
 Statutory rights - are those rights which are provided by the law promulgated by the law-making body and consequently
may be abolished by the same body.
 According to recipient
 Individual rights- are those rights being accorded to individual
 Collective rights - also called people rights or solidarity rights are rights of society example. Peaceably assembly, right to
peace, right development, right to self-determination and right environment.

According to Aspect of life

 Civil rights are those rights which the law will enforce at the instance of private individual for the purposed of securing to
them enjoyment of their means of happiness. rights involuntary servitude and imprisonment or none payment of debt,
 Political rights - are those rights which enable us to participate in running the affairs of the government either indirect or
direct. Example the right to vote and right to be voted.
 Economic and social rights - are those which the law confer upon the people to enable them to achieve social and
economic development and well-being happiness and financial security. Example rights to property, education, and
promotion to justice.
 Cultural rights - are those rights that ensure the well-being of the individual and foster the preservation, enrichment, and
dynamic evolution of national culture for free artistic and intellectual expression.
 According to struggle and recognition
 First generation of human rights - cover civil and political rights derives primarily from the 17th and 18th centuries
reformist theories e.g. Locke, hobes, are associated with the American, and French revolution. it conceives of human rights
more negative (free dooms from) than the positive (rights to) term favors the abstention rather than the intervention of
government in the exercise of freedom and in the quest for humanity dignity.
 Second generation of human rights - cover economic, social and cultural rights which find their origin in the socialist
tradition it conceives of human more positive term
 Third generation of human rights - cover collective rights

According to struggle and recognition

 First generation of human rights - cover civil and political rights derives primarily from the 17th and 18th centuries
reformist theories e.g. Locke, hobes, are associated with the American, and French revolution. it conceives of human rights
more negative (free dooms from) than the positive (rights to) term favors the abstention rather than the intervention of
government in the exercise of freedom and in the quest for humanity dignity.
 Second generation of human rights - cover economic, social and cultural rights which find their origin in the socialist
tradition it conceives of human more positive term
 Third generation of human rights - cover collective rights
According to derogatory rights
 Non- derogatory rights or absolute rights are those that cannot be suspended nor taken away nor restricted / limited even
in the extreme emergency even government invokes national security. Among them the right to be deprive of life arbitrary,
the right of freedom from torture, recognized as a person, and the rights to freedom from thought or conscience. Thus, the
human rights which individual must enjoy is the right of the national security, however. Some individual rights are not
absolute or are derogable.
 Derogable or relative rights may be suspended or restricted or limited depending on the circumstances. Example the right
to freely move may be limited through the curfew. However, it should be valid. 1. It is provided by law known to every
citizen 2. State of emergency, preservation of public good, safety, and moral 3. It does not exceed what is strictly necessary
to achieve the purposed.
Three Types of Legal Rights

1.Civil rights - are those rights which provide opportunity to each person to lead a civilized social life. These fulfil basic needs of
human life in society. Right to life, liberty and equality are civil rights. Civil rights are protected by the state.
2.Political Rights - Political rights are those rights by virtue of which inhabitants get a share in the political process. These allow
them to take an active part in the political process. These rights include right to vote, right to get elected, right to hold public
office and right to criticize and oppose the government. Political rights are really available to the people in a democratic state.
3.Economic Rights - are those rights which provide economic security to the people. These empower all citizens to make proper
use of their civil and political rights. The basic needs of every person are related to his food, clothing, shelter, and medical
treatment. Without the fulfilment of these no person can really enjoy his civil and political rights. It is therefore essential, that
every person must get the right to work, right to adequate wages, right to leisure and rest, and right to social security in case of
illness, physical disability and old age.

European Convention of Human Rights – No Punishment without legislation

Clearly states that no one can be found guilty of a criminal offence if what he/she did was not an offence at the time when such
offence was committed. Therefore, this Article prevents Parliament from enacting retroactive laws.
European Convention of Human Rights – The Right to Life is one of the most important fundamental rights which a state should
not deprive you of except in those very limited circumstances. Besides prohibiting a state from taking your life, Article 2 of the
European Convention of Human Rights requires that a state should protect your right to life by having in place proper and
adequate criminal sanctions to penalize those persons who take your life intentionally. The failure by a state to properly
investigate/ prosecute a suspected murder

Main features of Rights

1.Rights exist only in society. These are the products of social living.
2.Rights are claims of the individuals for their development in society.
3.Rights are recognized by the society as common claims of all the people.
4.Rights are rational and moral claims that the people make on their society.
5.Since rights are here only in society, these cannot be exercised against the society.
6.Rights are to be exercised by the people for their development which really means
7.Development in society by the promotion of social good. Rights can never be exercised against social good.
8.Rights are equally available to all the people.
The contents of rights keep on changing with the passage of time.
9.Rights are not absolute. These always bear limitations deemed essential for maintaining public health, security, order and
morality.
10.Rights are inseparably related with duties. There is a close relationship between them “No Duties No Rights. No Rights No
Duties.” “If I have rights it is my duty to respect the rights of others in society”.
11.Rights need enforcement and only then these can be really used by the people. These are protected and enforced by the laws
of the state. It is the duty of a state to protect the rights of the people.

Human and Legal Rights

There is some difference between moral or human rights and legal rights. Legal rights require for their justification an existing
system of law. Legal rights are, roughly, what the law says they are, at least insofar as the law is enforced. Legal rights gain their
force first of all through legislation or decree by a legally authorized authority. Those who support adoption of laws establishing
legal rights often appeal to a notion of human rights. Laws against theft might appeal to notions of a moral right to own
property. But human or moral rights must gain their validity through some other source other than legal rights, since people can
appeal to human or moral rights to criticize the law or advocate changes in the law (or legal rights), and people could not do this
if moral rights were based upon the law.

Freedom vs Rights

Rights and freedom are two concepts that overlap to a certain extent. Rights are an individual’s moral or legal entitlement to
have or do something. Freedom is the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. It is our rights that ensure
and protects our freedom. In this sense, rights and freedom are always interrelated and inseparable. For example, the right to
vote ensures that everybody is entitled to vote in the election, this also automatically allows us the freedom to vote. The main
difference between rights and freedom is that right is a moral or legal entitlement whereas freedom is a state or quality of being
free.

 State and Non-State actors on Human Rights

Non-state actors include organizations and individuals that are not affiliated with, directed by, or funded through the
government. These include corporations, private financial institutions, and NGOs, as well as paramilitary and armed resistance
groups
State actor- Parliaments, courts, national human rights institutions, security forces, central and local governments play a central
role in the protection and promotion of human rights at the domestic level. They are the duty bearers of a state's obligation to
respect, protect and fulfil human rights
What is the difference between state and non state institutions?
State institutions are those endorsed and supported by a central state, and part of the formal state structure. Non-state
institutions are those that operate outside of the formal support and endorsement of the state structure, though they might be
recognized to some extent within that formal structure.

Philippines Bill of Rights

Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the
equal protection of the laws.
Section 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and
seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue
except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things
to be seized.
Section 3. (1) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except upon lawful order of the court, or
when public safety or order requires otherwise as prescribed by law.
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.
Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free
exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No
religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
Section 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon
lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or
public health, as may be provided by law.
Section 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and
to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as
basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.
Section 8. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or
societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.
Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
Section 11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person
by reason of poverty.
Section 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of his right to
remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the
services of counsel, he must be provided with one. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of
counsel.
(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free will shall be used against him.
Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention are prohibited.
(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17 hereof shall be inadmissible in evidence against him.
(4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as well as compensation to and rehabilitation
of victims of torture or similar practices, and their families.
Section 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion Perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong,
shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to
bail shall not be impaired even when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.
Section 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law.
(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to
be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy,
impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of
witnesses and the production of evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the
absence of the accused provided that he has been duly notified and his failure to appear is unjustifiable.
Section 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of invasion or rebellion when the
public safety requires it.
Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or
administrative bodies.
Section 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
Section 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations.
(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted.
Section 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death
penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death
penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion Perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any prisoner or detainee or the use of
substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law.
Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.
Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act is punished by a law and an
ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act.
Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted

Republic Act No. 7438

Section 2. Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation; Duties of Public Officers.
A. Any person arrested detained or under custodial investigation shall at all times be assisted by counsel.
B. Any public officer or employee, or anyone acting under his order or his place, who arrests, detains or investigates any person
for the commission of an offense shall inform the latter, in a language known to and understood by him, of his rights to remain
silent and to have competent and independent counsel, preferably of his own choice, who shall at all times be allowed to confer
privately with the person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation. If such person cannot afford the services of his
own counsel, he must be provided with a competent and independent counsel by the investigating officer. lawphi1Ÿ
C. The custodial investigation report shall be reduced to writing by the investigating officer, provided that before such report is
signed, or thumb marked if the person arrested or detained does not know how to read and write, it shall be read and
adequately explained to him by his counsel or by the assisting counsel provided by the investigating officer in the language or
dialect known to such arrested or detained person, otherwise, such investigation report shall be null and void and of no effect
whatsoever.
D. Any extrajudicial confession made by a person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation shall be in writing and
signed by such person in the presence of his counsel or in the latter's absence, upon a valid waiver, and in the presence of any of
the parents, elder brothers and sisters, his spouse, the municipal mayor, the municipal judge, district school supervisor, or priest
or minister of the gospel as chosen by him; otherwise, such extrajudicial confession shall be inadmissible as evidence in any
proceeding.
E. Any waiver by a person arrested or detained under the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, or under custodial
investigation, shall be in writing and signed by such person in the presence of his counsel; otherwise the waiver shall be null and
void and of no effect.
F. Any person arrested or detained or under custodial investigation shall be allowed visits by or conferences with any member of
his immediate family, or any medical doctor or priest or religious minister chosen by him or by any member of his immediate
family or by his counsel, or by any national non-governmental organization duly accredited by the Commission on Human Rights
of by any international non-governmental organization duly accredited by the Office of the President. The person's "immediate
family" shall include his or her spouse, fiancé or fiancée, parent or child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, uncle or
aunt, nephew or niece, and guardian or ward.
As used in this Act, "custodial investigation" shall include the practice of issuing an "invitation" to a person who is investigated in
connection with an offense he is suspected to have committed, without prejudice to the liability of the "inviting" officer for any
violation of law.

Rule II5-Rights of the Accused

SECTION 1. Rights of accused at the trial- In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be entitled to the following rights:

(a) To be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt.

(b) To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.

(c) To be present and defend in person and by counsel at every stage of the proceedings, from arraignment to promulgation of
the judgment. The accused may, however, waive his presence at the trial pursuant to the stipulations set forth in his tail, unless
his presence is specifically ordered by the court for purposes of identification. The absence of the accused without justifiable
cause at the trial of which he had notice shall be considered a waiver of his right to be present thereat. When an accused under
custody escapes, he shall be deemed to have waived his right to be present on all subsequent trial dates until custody over him
is regained. Upon motion, the accused may be allowed to defend himself in person when it sufficiently appears to the court that
he can properly protect his rights without the assistance of counsel.
(d) To testify as a witness in his own behalf but subject to cross-examination on matters covered by direct examination. His
silence shall not in any manner prejudice him.

(e) To be exempt from being compelled to be a witness against himself.

(f) To confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him at the trial. Either party may utilize as part of its evidence the
testimony of a witness who is deceased, out of or can not with due diligence be found in the Philippines, unavailable, or
otherwise unable to testify, given in another case or proceeding, judicial or administrative, involving the same parties and
subject matter, the adverse party having the opportunity to cross-examine him.

(g) To have compulsory process issued to secure the attendance of witnesses and production of other evidence in his behalf.

(h) To have speedy, impartial and public trial.

(i) To appeal in all cases allowed and in the manner prescribed by law.

Why are Miranda Rights called Miranda Rights

Miranda Rights are named after the landmark US Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona. The Justices ruled that the
statements Miranda made to the police could not be used as evidence against him because he had not been advised of his
Constitutional rights.

Republic Act No. 9710- Magna Carta of Women

 Protection from all forms of violence, including those committed by the State. This includes the incremental increase in
the recruitment and training of women in government services that cater to women victims of gender-related offenses. It
also ensures mandatory training on human rights and gender sensitivity to all government personnel involved in  the
protection and defense of women against gender-based violence, and mandates local government units to establish a
Violence Against Women Desk in every barangay to address violence against women cases;
 Protection and security in times of disaster, calamities and other crisis situations, especially in all phases of relief,
recovery, rehabilitation and construction efforts, including protection from sexual exploitation and other sexual and
gender-based violence. 
 Participation and representation, including undertaking temporary special measures and affirmative actions to accelerate
and ensure women's equitable participation and representation in the third level civil service, development councils and
planning bodies, as well as political parties and international bodies, including the private sector.
 Equal treatment before the law, including the State's review and when necessary amendment or repeal of existing laws
that are discriminatory to women;  
 Equal access and elimination of discrimination against women in education, scholarships and training. This includes
revising educational materials and curricula to remove gender stereotypes and images, and outlawing the expulsion, non-
readmission, prohibiting enrollment and other related discrimination against women students and faculty due to pregnancy
outside of marriage;  
 Equal participation in sports. This includes measures to ensure that gender-based discrimination in competitive and non-
competitive sports is removed so that women and girls can benefit from sports development; 
 Non-discrimination in employment in the field of military, police and other similar services. This includes according the
same promotional privileges and opportunities as their men counterpart, including pay increases, additional benefits, and
awards, based on competency and quality of performance. The dignity of women in the military, police and other similar
services shall always be respected, they shall be accorded with the same capacity as men to act in and enter into contracts,
including marriage, as well as be entitled to leave benefits for women such as maternity leave, as provided for in existing
laws
 Non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film to raise the consciousness of the general
public in recognizing the dignity of women and the role and contribution of women in family, community, and the society
through the strategic use of mass media; 
 Comprehensive health services and health information and education covering all stages of  a woman's life cycle, and
which addresses the major causes of women's mortality and morbidity, including access to among others,  maternal care,
responsible, ethical, legal, safe and effective methods of family planning, and 
 Encouraging healthy lifestyle activities to prevent diseases;  
 Leave benefits of two (2) months with full pay based on gross monthly compensation, for women employees who
undergo surgery caused by gynecological disorders, provided that they have rendered continuous aggregate employment
service of at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12) months; 
 Equal rights in all matters relating to marriage and family relations. The State shall ensure the same rights of women and
men to: enter into and leave marriages, freely choose a spouse, decide on the number and spacing of their children, enjoy
personal rights including the choice of a profession, own, acquire, and administer their property, and acquire, change, or
retain their nationality. It also states that the betrothal and marriage of a child shall have no legal effect. The Magna Carta
of Women also guarantees the civil, political and economic rights of women in the marginalized sectors, particularly
their right to: 
  Food security and resources for food production, including equal rights in the titling of the land and issuance of
stewardship contracts and patents; 
  Localized, accessible, secure and affordable housing;  
 Employment, livelihood, credit, capital and technology; 
 Skills training, scholarships, especially in research and development aimed towards women friendly farm technology;  
 Representation and participation in policy-making or decisionmaking bodies in the regional, national, and international
levels;  
  Access to information regarding policies on women, including programs, projects and funding outlays that affect them;  
 Social protection; 
 Recognition and preservation of cultural identity and integrity provided that these cultural systems and practices are
not discriminatory to women;  
 Inclusion in discussions on peace and development; 
 Services and interventions for women in especially difficult circumstances or WEDC;  
 Protection of girl-children against all forms of discrimination in education, health and nutrition, and skills development;
and 

Right to Suffrage Article V

Section1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen
years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein they propose to vote
for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be
imposed on the exercise of suffrage.
Section 2. The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot as well as a system for absentee
voting by qualified Filipinos abroad.
The Congress shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the assistance of other persons.
Until then, they shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to
protect the secrecy of the ballot.
The democratic rights- human rights are also categorize as democratic rights, are commonly exercised in a democratic state such
as to vote and participate the government affairs.

Presidential Degree no. 603 Child and Youth Welfare

Code
Article 3 – Rights of a Child

All children shall be entitled to the rights herein set forth without distinction as to legitimacy or illegitimacy, sex, social status,
religion, political antecedents, and other factors
1 Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a human being from the moment of his conception, as generally accepted
in medical parlance, and has, therefore, the right to be born well.
2 Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care and understanding, guidance and
counseling, and moral and material security. The dependent or abandoned child shall be provided with the nearest substitute for
a home.
3 Every child has the right to a well-rounded development of his personality to the end that he may become a happy, useful and
active member of society. The gifted child shall be given opportunity and encouragement to develop his special talents. The
emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall be treated with sympathy and understanding, and shall be entitled to
treatment and competent care. The physically or mentally handicapped child shall be given the treatment, education and care
required by his particular condition.
4 Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper medical attention, and all the basic
physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.

6 Every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the development of his skills for the
improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his fellowmen.
7 Every child has the right to full opportunities for safe and wholesome recreation and activities, individual as well as social, for
the wholesome use of his leisure hours.
8 Every child has the right to protection against exploitation, improper influences, hazards, and other conditions or
circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and moral development.
9 Every child has the right to live in a community and a society that can offer him an environment free from pernicious
influences and conducive to the promotion of his health and the cultivation of his desirable traits and attributes.
10 Every child has the right to the care, assistance, and protection of the State, particularly when his parents or guardians fail or
are unable to provide him with his fundamental needs for growth, development, and improvement.
11 Every child has the right to an efficient and honest government that will deepen his faith in democracy and inspire him with
the morality of the constituted authorities both in their public and private lives.
12 Every child has the right to grow up as a free individual, in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, tolerance, and universal
brotherhood, and with the determination to contribute his share in the building of a better world.