Accents
Booster shot for human rights
Human Rights took a quantum leap in Iloilo City with the conduct of the seminar, Ang Tawhanon nga Kinamatarung, last July 19 at the Sta. Teresa Prayer Center in Sambag, Jaro. In very detailed multimedia presentation, ang tawhanon nga kinamatarung (Ilonggo for human rights) were instilled in the most vulnerable sector of society for them to defend, uphold, and enjoy.
The day's proceedings opened with a prayerful invocation from energetic advocate Maura Abellon, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Many of the participants sang with their right hand crossed over the breast, a simple gesture to show love for country and people.
Mass organizations of market vendors, drivers, peasants, fishers, laborers—folks who form the base of the social pyramid—soaked themselves up in understanding their inherent right to life and liberty. Appreciation and vigilance went high with the discussion of their political, economic, social, and cultural rights and how these are embodied in the Constitution and other legislative laws.
Ang tawhanon nga kinamatarung was defined thus in crisp Ilonggo,: "Garantiya nga mabuhi nga hilway, disente kag may dignidad nga nagakasanto bilang isa ka tawo." To live free and decently with dignity befitting a human being. Civil and political rights were emphasized: right to life, to security of person, to due process of law; right to liberty, to freedom of expression, of assembly and association, right to redress of grievances; right to freedom of religion; right to abode, to freedom of movement; and right to freedom from torture. Economic, social, and cultural rights were given equal importance: right to work, to education; right to marry and found a family; right to survive and develop as a country/people; right to participate in the cultural life of society; right to social security, to insurance; right to sufficient food; and right to partake of the advances of technology.
The lectures came straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, with the seminar speakers Jose Ely "Leeboy" Garachico and Atty. Rudy Lagoc being themselves victims of human rights violations, and strict watchdogs against the transgressions of these rights. A bullet still lodged in his body, Leeboy painstakingly explained cases of human rights violations. Leeboy is the spokesperson of Panay Alliance-KARAPATAN and a member of SELDA (Samahan ng mga Detenado Laban sa Detensyon at para sa Amnestiya). (If to be recalled, he was the companion of Luisa Posa Dominado and Nilo Arado who were abducted April 12, 2007 in Brgy. Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo, and whose whereabouts are unknown to this day. Leeboy was shot and left for dead and was rushed to the hospital with the help of some kind souls.) Atty. Lagoc, also of SELDA, was a detainee of the infamous Marcos Martial Law, and a member of ILAC (Iloilo Legal Assistance Center), a lawyers' organization that champions human rights.
The Lexicon of Human Rights Violations and Violations of International Humanitarian Law was distributed to the audience to make everyone aware what, where, or whenever these particular rights are violated. It is significant to mention that the Philippine Government is a signatory to four Geneva International Human Rights Conventions. The signatories are mandated to protect these rights and violations thereof by functionaries and agents of these governments make them culpable of violating the International Humanitarian Law. Let us not forget that "blame may be attributed to the government concerned under the principle that a state's primary responsibility is to protect the safety of its citizens."
Common violations pinpointed are violation to the right to life under which are killing (summary execution, assassination, massacre, death due to strafing, indiscriminate firing and bombing/shelling/aerial bombardment), enforced disappearance (as in the case of Luisa Posa Dominado and Nilo Arado), torture, physical assault or injuries, and denial of medical attention. Other rights violations elucidated are illegal arrest, illegal detention (kidnapping), solitary confinement, and incommunicado as well as violation of rights of arrested or detained persons (right to counsel and visit by family and presumption of innocence or against public condemnation or trial by publicity.
"So the people may know" (to use the common expression in public announcements), sample fact sheets were given out to clarify reporting of human rights violations. Ten items were enumerated with examples clearly stated in the vernacular: Kaso (halimbawa: pagpamahog, pag-ukay sang balay - threat or warrantless search); Biktima (complete name, address, age, civil status, work, religion, affiliated organizations); Petsa sang insidente (month, day, year); Lugar sang insidente (sitio, barangay, banwa, probinsya); Tagbuhat (who is the violator, rank, unit, camp or detachment, etc.); Motibo (reason for the violation); Detalye (details of the incident, the persons involved, what did the witnesses do at the time of the incident, other details); Ginkuha-an impormasyon (source of the information, respect for the source if he/she chooses to be anonymous); Ginhanda ni (name of the person reporting the incident); Petsa (date when the report was made).
ILAC and Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the seminar sponsors, will continue conducting human rights seminars to safeguard and advance awareness of human rights. The bottom line—in strong, vivid, figurative Ilonggo—agud indi paglapakon ang aton tawhanon nga kinamatarung (so that never ever will our human rights be stepped on). Take care!
(Comments to lagoc@hargray.com)