UN Human Rights Committee

Torture of Philippine children
Geneva, Switzerland- The United Nations Human Rights Committee is to be briefed today by Father Shay Cullen and other representatives of Philippine human rights organizations on the state of human rights in the Philippines. The PREDA Foundation, nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize, will highlight the condition of children and youth in Philippine prisons and specifically the systematic abuse and torture of children in prisons and centers such as the government-run Olongapo Center for Assistance, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (OCARE) in Olongapo City, Philippines.

The summary execution of minors and defenders of human rights in the cities of Davao and Digos in southern Philippines is also on the briefing agenda besides the failure of the government to address the violation of children's and youths' rights when arrested and jailed in violation of Philippine laws.

The World Organization Against Torture, representing 240 international non-government organizations and Amnesty International are pressing the UN Committee to make strong recommendations to the Philippine government to protect the rights of minors and children. In particular that they be informed of their legal rights, not to be held in a jail with adults, that they be brought before a prosecutor within the regulated 36 hours, that social workers and their parents be informed of their arrest immediately, that restraints and handcuffs not be used and that minors and children be referred to a youth rehabilitation center rather than holding cells or jails.

The UN Committee has heard of children being sexually and physically abused in prison by guards, inmates and barangay (village) officials.

The condition of children in the hands of the authorities endure treatment that is a violation of the Philippines' obligations under the treaty," Fr. Cullen told members of the committee.

Fr. Shay Cullen, the main presenter of the situations on Philippine children and minors, comes at the time when the Philippines is presenting its report to the United Nations in compliance with the obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights- the second time in thirteen years it has done so. [END]

Geneva, October 20th, 2003
Philippines: OMCT presents a report on State sponsored violence to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in collaboration with partner NGOs

On October 20th, 2003, OMCT presented an alternative report, in collaboration with the PREDA Foundation, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), and Women's Education, Development, Productivity and Research Organisation (WEDPRO), on state sponsored violence to the United Nations Human Rights Committee's experts.

The report highlighted the fact that torture continues to be perpetrated in the Philippines. Since the accession to power of President Arroyo in 2001, 88 persons have been reported subject to torture, and many more unreported. The perpetrators of these acts have for the most part been members of the Armed Forces. These figures seem to indicate that the use of torture continues unabated when compared with statistics from previous periods.

Of particular interest in this report is the continuing harassment and threats to which journalists and human rights defenders are being subjected. Since 1986, 43 journalists have been assassinated. To this day, none of these cases have been solved.

Concerning the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it must be noted with concern that a large number of street children have been arrested and detained without valid charges having been brought against them. Children as young as 8 years old are imprisoned in very small cells with no beds, no furniture, shower or toilet. They are also subject to torture and ill-treatment. Furthermore, a number of children have been summarily executed, in particular in the Mindanao region, where 'death squads' have reportedly executed over 150 persons over the last seven years.

Further to this, trafficking of women remains a serious problem in the country. Between 25,000 and 35,000 women have become victims of trafficking, including being 'exported' to various countries in Southeast Asia and the West. Women in prostitution in the Philippines, being arrested on a Friday are sometimes forced to stay in jail over the weekend since there are no official functions on weekends. During these instances, women are abused, including raped while in jail.

Consequently, OMCT, the PREDA Foundation, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), and Women's Education, Development, Productivity and Research Organisation (WEDPRO) call upon the authorities of the Philippines to order investigations in order to bring the perpetrators of theses crimes before an independent court, guarantee that adequate reparation is awarded to the victims of these violations, and take all measures necessary to prevent all forms of violence from being perpetrated by state agents. [END]