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Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF BATANGAS PROVINCE
LEMERY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
LEMERY, BATANGAS
Guided Questions:
1. What is the overall assessment of the human
rights situation in the Philippines according
to the Commission on Human Rights
(CHR)?
2. What are some key areas where the CHR
believes the Philippines needs to improve its
human rights record?
3. What do you think are the main challenges
facing human rights defenders in the
Philippines?
4. Do you think the Philippine government is
Prepared by:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) — As the world celebrates Human Rights Day, the
country's commission tasked to protect marginalized and vulnerable sectors said the rights situation in
the Philippines is a "work in progress."
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also said the situation in the country calls for a constant
partnership amongst the government, civil society organizations and stakeholders across the nation.
Though the CHR recognized the government's small steps in trying to improve the situation in the
country, it believes that “much is yet to be realized within the human rights framework, not only within
the country, but also across the globe."
"The Commission, together with the Philippine government, civil society organizations, and various
stakeholders continue to exert their utmost effort in complying with the international human rights
standards to ensure that every person lives a life of dignity," the CHR said on Sunday.
"It is essential to further our collective actions in battling against discrimination and inequality,
especially towards the marginalized, abused, and victimized by the system," it ended.
Human rights entities have lamented the situation in the Philippines throughout 2023.
Citing Dahas, a project of the Third World Studies Center of the University of the Philippines, Human
Rights Watch (HRW) said in January that the human rights situation in the Philippines had “hardly
changed” as state forces and the police continued to perpetrate extrajudicial killings, even after the
end of the Duterte administration and its bloody war on drugs, which saw thousands dead.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself admitted that the drug war had led to abuses which drew
criticism from global organizations and human rights bodies, such as the International Criminal Court.
In November, UN human rights expert Ian Fry called for the abolition of the National Task Force to
End Local Communist Armed Conflict as it was operating with impunity by red-tagging and intimidating
environmental human rights defenders and indigenous peoples who opposed mining and dam
projects.
On the other hand, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in August said that the
human rights situation in the Philippines was improving under the Marcos administration.
Human Rights Day is celebrated every Dec. 10. The date was chosen to commemorate the United
Nations (UN) General Assembly's adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR).
This year's theme is “Dignity, Freedom, Equality and Justice for All.” It also honors the UDHR's 75th
anniversary.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/10/CHR-human-rights-in-PH-a-work-in-progress.html