US to continue assisting PH in human rights challenges

THE UNITED STATES government vowed to continue assisting the Philippine government in addressing a wide range of human rights challenges.

This was contained in a statement released by the US Embassy on Feb. 28.

The US said the assistance would be directed toward judicial efficiency and the reduction of case backlogs, law enforcement and prosecutorial capacity building, and sexual orientation and gender identity awareness.

On February 27, 2014 United States Secretary of State John Kerry released the 2013 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (“the Human Rights Reports.”)

The secretary is required each year to provide the United States Congress with “a full and complete report regarding… the status of internationally recognized human rights.” In accordance with this mandate, the Human Rights Reports describe the status of internationally recognized human rights, including those set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in countries around the world.

The 2013 Human Rights Report for the Philippines both acknowledges the headway made by the Government of the Philippines on important human rights issues in the past year and reiterates the continuing challenges that lay ahead. The report highlights that in 2013, there were three convictions in cases of extrajudicial killings. It also notes the continued work of the Inter-Agency Committee on extra judicial killings (EJKs) and other grave human rights violations established by Administrative Order 35 as well as progress made in key high-level corruption investigations and cases.

The reports further states that “[t]he most significant human rights problems continued to be extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances undertaken by security forces; a dysfunctional criminal justice system notable for poor cooperation between police and investigators, few prosecutions, and lengthy procedural delays; and widespread official corruption and abuse of power.”

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg, underscoring the findings in the report, noted that “After meeting recently with Justice Secretary De Lima, NBI Director Mendez, and Chairperson Rosales at the Commission on Human Rights, it’s clear to me that extrajudicial killings remain foremost among the human rights challenges in the Philippines. I am encouraged by the Philippine’s recent EJK convictions and urge that the government spare nothing in its efforts to protect the right of free expression and bring those responsible for these horrendous crimes to justice.”

The entire 2013 Philippines Human Rights Report is available via the following Internet URL http://www.humanrights.gov. Additional information is available on the U.S. Embassy’s web site at http://philippines.usembassy.gov. (MTE)

Comments

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel more secured

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog