CHR urges signing of Anti-Torture Bill

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights and human rights advocates pressed yesterday President Arroyo to immediately sign into law the Anti-Torture Bill.

The United Against Torture Coalition and other human rights groups launched yesterday their monitoring of Mrs. Arroyo’s action on the bill, which the joint bicameral conference committee passed last Aug. 17 and transmitted to the Office of the President last Oct. 15. 

Mrs. Arroyo has until Nov. 15 to veto, sign it into law or just allow it to lapse into law, the human rights advocates said.

However, the CHR and human rights groups hope Mrs. Arroyo would sign the bill into law to show her sincerity, moral and political commitment to the fight against torture and other human rights abuses.

“This gathering is not designed to urge the President to sign the anti-torture bill, but rather, we are expecting her to sign it,” said Kaloy Anasarias, UARC spokesman during a press conference in Quezon City.

“There is no more compelling reason for the government not to sign it anymore. She must know that the world is watching… anticipating for her to sign it. 

“We believe that now is the turning point in our history and the government should not let this momentous opportunity pass.”

Human rights advocates said the country has been without “the benefit of an anti-torture law” for at least 22 years now.

The Philippines signed and ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) in 1986. 

The approval of the anti-torture bill is among the obligations of the country being a signatory to the UNCAT.

In the same press briefing, the CHR, through director Karen Dumpit, said Mrs. Arroyo’s signing of the Anti-Torture Bill into law would show her administration’s commitment to end inhumane treatment of people, as well as promotion of human rights.

Last Sept. 28, the CHR sent a letter to the Mrs. Arroyo urging her to sign the bill.

The CHR, together with human right advocates, believes that a law against torture would provide “with greatest clarity” the government’s declaration of a “no torture policy,” as well as for the accountability of so-called torturers.

They also believe that Mrs. Arroyo’s signature on the Anti-Torture Bill would break the “persisting impunity” for those who commit the heinous act.

“The opportunity presented by the transmittal of the enrolled bill to the Office of the President comes once in many lifetimes of administrations,” Dumpit said.

“This measure speaks of responsibility for humane treatment. The President’s signing into law (of the Anti-Torture Bill) is a signal that will provide the greatest clarity that there is no torture policy in the country.”

A further delay in the signing of the bill would be detrimental to countless victims that could have been spared by the preventive power of the decree, UATC said.

UATC will send a delegation to Malacañang on Nov. 11 to seek audience with officials of the executive branch to discuss the significance of the Anti-Torture Bill.

Dumpit said the bill is with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and has been sent to concerned government agencies for comment.

“Malacañang and the public need to be constantly reminded of the promise made by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and the Philippine government delegation during the UNCAT session last April regarding the enactment of the Anti-Torture law,” Anasarias said.