Status on Victims of Human Rights Violations in the Philippines free essay sample

Status on Victims of Human Rights Violations It was from 1972 to 1981 when our country is under the fascist dictatorship of Marcos. During that year, violations of human right were uncontrolled in growth. More than 70,000 persons were victims of torture, arbitrary arrest, solitary detention, hamletting, food blockades, extrajudicial killings, massacres and forced disappearance of individuals. Most of them are innocent civilians, critics and opponents of the regime. These victims sought for justice and cried to fight for human rights. But almost three decades since the military dictatorship banished, human right violations continue with impunity. According to Article II Section 11, â€Å"the state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights†. This means that we should respect every human person. They have the rights to enjoy and we should not take away from them. And any violations of human rights result to lower the value of their humanity or dignity. We will write a custom essay sample on Status on Victims of Human Rights Violations in the Philippines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Respect for each other is the only key to live peacefully in today’s world. But the big question, what is the current human rights situation in the country and what is the status of victims of the past and present regime? Is there any progression? In my readings, 3 cases of human right violations under the administration of Aquino really marked in my mind. These reports are released by KARAPATAN, an Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights. First, the case of Fernado Baldomero. He is an elected Municipal Councilor for the second term in Aklan. And within a week of Noynoy’s inaugural address he was shot and killed in front of his house with full view of his 12-year old son. He was the first reported victim of political killing in Noynoy’s regime. Second, the case of Rodolfo â€Å"Rudy† Sambajan. Ka Rudy is the former Chairperson of Pamalakaya, a national alliance of fisherfolk organizations. September 11, halfway through the meeting with leaders of a peasant organization SMMB, two men arrived on a motorcycle without licensed plates beckoned one members of SMMB. After the meeting they approached Ka Rudy and asked what the meeting is all about. Doubtful, Sambajon asked for their identification, why they weren’t in uniform and what they wanted from him. One of the men angrily shouted that they were policemen. Luckily, an SMMB member arrived and the men drove away. But Ka Kudy noticed that the men were following him and continued to pursue him. The men threatened him if he did not tell the latter’s whereabouts. He asked for help when one of the men drew a gun. Fearing for his children’s safety, he called a staff of radio DZRH who immediately informed the Orion Police. Third, the case of Norman. A 17 year old who is forced to join the CAFGU. Being a minor, the mother did not allow him to join the paramilitary group. This irritated the soldiers who began to be hostile to Norman. He was forced to eat spoiled rice in the camp. He is alleged of being rude that’s why the soldiers detained him. Beaten up by soldiers and threatened to kill him and throw his body into the sea if he told anyone of what happened. I’m very sad for what happened to this people. They’re living with simple life and after the tragedy they experienced extreme psychological trauma because of the torture. And afraid for their life and family. I know that these are only some of the cases of human right violations. And I can’t imagine how they suffered from the situation and until now that the justice they are fighting is still not in their hands. I know how they feel because of their acts. Their life was ruined and can’t start again because of the memories they had. And now I’m asking, what’s our government doing? This torture did not end with the martial law regime of Marcos. It did not end with GMA because she and her officials are the perpetrators of the most cases under her administration like the Morong 43. And yet, it is still in practice even under the P-Noy administration. I remember what P-Noy said in his first SONA, he proudly announced that three of the six cases of killings which happened under his three month administration had been solved and that the suspects were already in police custody. But how about the others, who are waiting for years now to have justice. They want the perpetrators be prosecuted and convicted. They want these people to send to jail and suffer for the rest of their life. But the government only makes the people optimistic that the human right situation in the Philippines would improve. Nothing has changed under Aquino. He carries on Arroyo’s legacy of state terror and violence. The Oplan Bayanihan he implemented has no difference with Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya. For the victims, it’s an oxymoron to say that a counter insurgency program is â€Å"respectful of human rights†, â€Å"development-oriented activities† and â€Å"peace†. It’s been a year since Pres. Aquino was elected as president. And all the promises he said relating to human rights remain unfulfilled. He failed to render justice to the victims of human right violations but make number of victims bigger like what happened now in Davao. The extrajudicial killings in Davao doubled this year and the people are afraid in what more may happen in the future. I can say that the condition of the victims is not good. There’s no progression in their cases. The government is slow and inconsistent in addressing human rights violations in the country. Because until now Presidents of this country do not prioritize the prosecution of perpetrators of human right abuses. They didn’t give adequate attention for the investigation of cases. We still do not know what lies ahead for the victims of human right abuses and their families. The delivery of justice remains a dream for many victims. I’m sad for those who didn’t get the justice they want until their last breath. But we should not lose hope; we should continue to struggle for human rights, we should help the victims pursue and defend their rights, we should also encourage the people to become aware in their rights. And I hope after his first year of presidency, P-Noy has time to give attention to human rights that is necessary for the respect and protection of the right to life and freedom from torture. The government should provide prime importance for respect, protection and fulfillment of human rights.