Binigyang-diin ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) nitong Huwebes, Marso 16, na hindi dapat tinitingnan bilang kaaway ang mga indibidwal na dumedepensa sa karapatang pantao.
Binanggit ito ng CHR matapos nitong muling ihayag ang pagsuporta sa pagsasabatas ng Human Rights Defenders’ Protection Act sa gitna umano ng tumataas na naiuulat na panganib para sa human rights defenders.
"The past years have been a testament to the need to protect human rights defenders. For standing up for the rights of the weak, vulnerable, and marginalised, they have often faced vilification, red-tagging, violence, and, worse, even death," anang CHR.
"This finding is supported by the results of the the CHR inquiry on the situation of human rights defenders in the Philippines published in 2020. At the same time, there is also an international recognition for the role of human rights defenders in advocating for the full respect for human rights and the rule of law," dagdag nito.
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Umaasa rin ang CHR na makikipag-dayalogo ang mga kinauukulan sa kanila at iba pang human rights defenders upang mawala umano ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan hinggil sa layon ng panukalang batas at mga isyung nais solusyunan nito.
"The CHR believes that the State has a legal and moral obligation to ensure protection of human rights defenders as they contribute to the development of the country in a democratic and peaceful way," anang CHR.
"We hope that the government will not evade this obligation and, instead, work on improving the bill should there be any concern in any of its provisions.
"In the end, human rights defenders should not be seen as foes," saad pa nito.
