To join international communities in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Philippine government for its part stated that the administration is protecting human lives.
This is according to the statement signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday, December 10.
The statement read that every administration has its own emphasis and approach on making human rights “real” for its people.
“Today, we further human rights in the era of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte along relevant paths reflected in our theme for this year’s observance: Protecting Human Lives, Uplifting Human Dignity, and Advancing People’s Progress,” Medialdea wrote.
The government also known for its controversial campaign aiming to eradicate illegal drugs in the country referred to the narcotics as something that “destroys the families and the future of the young” and its proliferation is one of the administration’s ways “to protect the lives of the innocent law-abiding citizens of the country.”
“The administration remains unrelenting in its crusade against criminality, corruption, terrorism, insurgency,” it added.
Medialdea also wrote that the government is “resolute in uplifting the dignity of every Filipino.”
“By effectively implementing responsive programs that broaden people’s access to education, healthcare, employment, shelter, food, and basic utilities and services, the government fulfills its aspiration of a respectable standard of living that benefits the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in Philippine society,” the statement read.
Historically speaking, the administration’s message discussed that the Philippines was the first signatory of the UDHR back in 1948.
“Since then, the Philippines has signed eight of these core treaties, incorporated them in domestic laws and policies, made them part of governance, in what may be seen as an affirmation of our accomplishments, the country has been elected to its fifth term as a member of the 47-strong United Nations Human Rights Council,” Medialdea wrote.
This overall message of the Palace came despite the number of criticisms Duterte and his administration received from both local and international rights activists.
‘Worsening’ human rights in PH
While Malacañang celebrates its efforts, Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) veteran labor leader Leody De Guzman thinks that this year “highlights the worsening state of human rights in the country.”
Aside from the infamous war on drugs, he said that Duterte’s administration’s preparation towards a federal form of government are suppressing critics and dissenters. He cited the Memorandum Order (MO) 32 that was issued by the President just weeks ago.
One of the President’s critics, Senator Risa Hontiveros, also released a statement, branding Duterte as the “single biggest threat to human rights in the Philippines.”
“The President has singlehandedly rolled back human rights safeguards and made the country a haven for human rights violators. By unleashing a bloody and abusive war on drugs, he has set into motion the killing of thousands, most of whom are poor people; this while big-time druglords like Peter Lim continue to be free and billions of pesos worth of shabu are smuggled into our country aided by corrupt government officials, she wrote.”
Hontiveros further said that the people’s rights to dissent are being interpreted as plots to destabilize the government, the law is favoring the corrupt and plunderers, and that the country’s justice system is used against the opposition and critical media. She also cited women’s rights as something “constantly under attack under President Duterte,” specifically pointing at the President’s language of “sexism and misogyny.”
“Even church people are not spared President Duterte’s violent rhetoric. The President’s attack on Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and renewed threat to kill all Catholic bishops were made amid the killing of several Catholic priests. Many are concerned that this will create a chilling effect on the exercise of religion and contribute to stifling the right to dissent,” she continued.
The Senator urged the people to stand up against this threat.
“Human rights are not suggestions or ornaments. They are fundamental anchors to a society of fairness for the many, and not tools to be used by the privileged few,” Hontiveros ended her statement.