Robin Bill Ensures CHR 'Toothless' No More

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) may no longer be a "toothless tiger," after Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla filed a bill strengthening it with an effective and expanded structural, organizational and functional independence.

Padilla's Senate Bill 2440 also guarantees full fiscal autonomy to the CHR, "to ensure prompt, immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its functions."

"Regarded as a 'toothless tiger,' the Commission has endured its limitations in rightfully carrying out its mandate within its jurisdiction. Hence, it is imperative to further strengthen its mandates, powers, and functions and clearly establish its cardinal role in cultivating a culture of human rights culture in the country," he said.

"A just and democratic country cannot be attained without a truly independent national human rights institution. Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or cannot recognize violations of human rights other than those involving civil and political rights. We need a CHR that can address the challenge of protecting and promoting the human rights of all, especially the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized sectors of society," he added.

Under the bill, the CHR will have full authority to act on a complaint or motu proprio, in all cases of human rights violations; and vests it with the power to issue injunctive reliefs and legal measures.

Its independence shall be respected and upheld, even as appropriations for it shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and regularly released.

The CHR will be regarded as a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) and other UN resolutions and instruments.

Padilla's bill allows the CHR to provide safety to witnesses and human rights defenders under threat; and to implement and manage a witness protection service.

Further, the CHR shall develop and implement a human rights information campaign program for the public; and establish a Human Rights Institute (HRI) for the promotion and education of human rights and related fields. The HRI shall serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, lawyers and other human rights workers.

Meanwhile, the CHR is to maintain a legal assistance program for underprivileged victims of human rights violations; and prepare and make public an annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities.

It shall also undertake measures for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos abroad, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, or deputized Philippine embassy or consulate officers.

Bill ni Robin, Bibigyan ng Ngipin ang CHR

Sa wakas, bibigyan na ng ngipin ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) para gawin ang trabaho nito, sa pamamagitan ng panukalang batas ni Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla.

Ihinain ni Padilla ang Senate Bill 2440 na nagbibigay ng mas epektibong sistema ang CHR - kasama ang fiscal autonomy, para hindi na ito maituring na "toothless tiger."

"Regarded as a 'toothless tiger,' the Commission has endured its limitations in rightfully carrying out its mandate within its jurisdiction. Hence, it is imperative to further strengthen its mandates, powers, and functions and clearly establish its cardinal role in cultivating a culture of human rights culture in the country," ani Padilla sa kanyang panukalang batas.

"A just and democratic country cannot be attained without a truly independent national human rights institution. Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or cannot recognize violations of human rights other than those involving civil and political rights. We need a CHR that can address the challenge of protecting and promoting the human rights of all, especially the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized sectors of society," dagdag niya.

Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, magkakaroon ng "full authority" ang CHR na tumugon motu proprio sa reklamo na may kinalaman sa human rights violations; kasama ang kapangyarihang mag-issue ng injunctive reliefs at legal measures.

Titiyaking paninindigan ang pagiging independent nito, at ang pondo para rito ay hindi babawasan.

Ang CHR ay ituturing na national human rights institution, sang-ayon sa Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) at ibang resolusyon ng UN.

Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas ni Padilla, titiyakin ng CHR ang seguridad ng saksi at human rights defenders na may banta; at ipatupad ang witness protection service.

Bubuo rin ang CHR ng human rights information campaign program at ng Human Rights Institute (HRI) para sa pagsulong ng karapatang pantao. Ang HRI ay magiging training institute para sa mga imbestigator, prosecutor, justice, huwes, abogado at ibang human rights workers.

Samantala, ang CHR ay bubuo rin ng legal assistance program para sa mga mahihirap na human rights violation victims; at gagawa ng taunang ulat sa mga monitoring activities nito.

Ang CHR ay gagawa rin ng hakbang para sa pagsulong ng karapatang pantao ng mga Pilipino sa ibayong dagat, sa pakikipagugnayan sa Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, at Philippine embassy or consulate officers.