COMMISSION on Human Rights Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said that his agency has released its position paper supporting the swift passage of a strong and independent CHR Charter as proposed in several pending bills before the lower chamber.
The paper affirms that a legislated Charter is necessary to firmly entrench the commission’s mandate, independence, and operational foundations in line with international human rights standards.
Effective human rights protection requires institutions that remain steadfast regardless of political transitions or shifting priorities.
“A commission reinforced by a robust legislated charter serves as a guardian of the people, particularly those with the least access to justice,” the CHR chief said.
Good Riddance believes there’s a need for these measures enacted without delay given the fact that the CHR, for nearly four decades, has operated without a legislated charter, relying solely on the 1987 Philippine Constitution and an executive order issued in the same year.
While these instruments grounded the Commission’s creation, they do not provide the full guarantees required of a modern, effective, and internationally compliant national human rights institution, explained Palpal-latoc, a lawyer.
“This gap has been repeatedly raised by the United Nations through mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review, UN Treaty Bodies, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, all of which have called on the Philippines to enact a CHR Charter consistent with the Paris Principles,” he said.
The CHR said it strongly supports the core pillars reflected across the pending Charter bills, including full fiscal autonomy, operational and policy independence, a broadened mandate covering all human rights, and a transparent, merit-based, and pluralist selection process for the Chairperson and Commissioners.
These pillars are essential to ensuring that the CHR can function without political pressure and maintain the credibility expected of an independent national human rights institution.
It likewise calls on lawmakers to further strengthen key provisions to ensure full alignment with the Paris Principles and preserve its “Status A” accreditation under GANHRI.
The proposed Charter will strengthen CHR’s capacity to investigate violations, assist victims, and monitor State compliance with international human rights obligations.
