RP, Australia sign agreement on human rights

MANILA, Philippines - Australia and the Philippines signed yesterday a Declaration of Cooperation to support activities that will enhance the investigative capability of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) with an initial P5.2-million grant.

The Australian government’s grant to the CHR through technical assistance provided by the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team or Equipo Peruano de Antropologia Forense (EPAF) will enable the CHR and EPAF to work together to improve the agency’s investigative capacity and the speed and effectiveness by which it responds to allegations of human rights violations.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the declaration further strengthened the partnership on promotion and protection of human rights between the two countries.

Smith and CHR chair Leila de Lima signed the declaration during the Asia Pacific Policy Forum (APPF) on human rights organized by the Australian embassy at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel at the Ortigas Center in Pasig.

Australian Human Rights Commission president Catherine Branson witnessed the signing of the declaration.

“The Australian government is pleased to assist partner governments such as the Philippines to respect, protect and fulfill their international human rights obligations,” Smith said.

“Australians strongly believe in the concept of a fair go for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. Both the governments of Australia and the Philippines recognize that respect for human rights is vital to poverty alleviation and sustainable development,” he added.

The APPF is the 14th in a series of policy forums hosted by the Australian embassy to facilitate policy dialogue on issues of importance to Australia and the Philippines and the region.

During the Policy Forum on Human Rights, De Lima said the state of human rights in the Philippines over the last nine years has frankly been dispiriting. – With Rhodina Villanueva