MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) nitong Lunes, Pebrero 12, sa National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) na suriin ang mandato nito, kasunod ng panawagan ni UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan na buwagin na ang task force.
“The Commission also acknowledges the recommendation regarding the mandate of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). We extend our reminder to fellow duty-bearers that Philippine democracy thrives at the core of promoting and protecting the dignity of every Filipino, including their right to participate in public governance,” saad sa pahayag ng CHR.
“As such, we urge the NTF-ELCAC to review its mandate and assess how it can attend to the current needs of the country,” dagdag pa.
Sinabi rin ng CHR na ito ay “more than ready to put forward policy advisories and offer relevant training aligned with our promotion mandate to further equip the NTF-ELCAC in fulfilling its mandate through a human rights-based approach.”
Binanggit din ng ahensya na nagsagawa ito ng forum sa red-tagging noong Disyembre 6, 2023, na nilahukan ng mga representatives mula sa civil society, kasama ang NTF-ELCAC, na lumahok sa diskusyon upang kumuha ng mga ideya sa usapin at palawakin pa ang constructive dialogue sa mga stakeholder.
“This year, CHR is slated to hold its Inquiry on Red-tagging to further nuance the dialogue between the government and civil society on the harms brought by these actions to the life, liberty, and security of the public.”
Kamakailan ay nanawagan si Khan na buwagin na ang task force na tinawag niyang “outdated” at iginiit na “it does not take into account the ongoing prospects for peace negotiations.”
Wala pang tugon ang NTF-ELCAC kaugnay sa komento ng CHR. RNT/JGC
