"I hope the occasion will send a message of peace and harmony to every individual across the nation, that human rights knows no bounds," said Commissioner-in-charge Wilhelm Soriano, of the CHR-National Capital Region.
Dubbed as "Karapatang Pantao: Igalang, Itaguyod, at Ipatupad," the event marks the convergence of police authorities, military officials, and other "state actors," NGOs, urban poor, informal settlers, church groups, and those who firmly believe in the preservation of the dignity of every human being.
"A celebration of human rights is a triumph of democracy," Soriano said.
Among those to be conferred plaques of appreciation for their contribution to human rights advocacy are Dagat-dagatan Council of Leaders led by Lilia Esparrago, Bantay Bata Foundation group, Human Rights Defense group, Superintendent Rolando Anonuevo of the PNP Intelligence Training Group, Dr. Liza Derillo of the Soroptomist International of the Philippines, Col. Winston Manay of the Philippine Air Force Officer School, Director Reynaldo Varilla of Human Resource Doctrine Development, General Renato Miranda of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Councilor Kevin Delgado of Muntinlupa City, and Councilor Corazon Braga of Antipolo City.
"Our theme concretizes the idea of bringing Filipinos together, regardless of their differences in ideologies and ideals, partisan politics notwithstanding...that they may see eye to eye in terms of defining human rights," Soriano said.
Human rights advocates and members of the police clashed months ago over the implementation of the administration’s calibrated preemptive response (CPR) and "no permit, no rally policy," which were deemed as curtailment to the people’s right to free expression.
The military, on the other hand, has been blamed for the series of human rights abuses, and killings against leaders and members of organizations in the countryside, who were perceived as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Meanwhile, human rights group KARAPATAN renews its call for the improvement of the human rights situation in the country.
In its 2005 Human Rights Report, the group said that the Arroyo administration has turned to wanton use of repression and "state terror" to cling to power. KARAPATAN has documented 874 cases of human rights violations, which affected 99,011 individuals; and 14,302 families in 288 communities from January to November this year.
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, leader of KARAPATAN, said that the report is a result of painstaking efforts of human rights workers and volunteers in the Philippines.
"This makes 2005 possibly the worst year for human rights in the post-Marcos era," Enriquez said.
"The intensity of the political killings that occurred in 2005 and the broadness of its targets to include lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, church leaders, local officials, community leaders and organizers, ordinary peasants and workers and members of progressive parties and people’s organization surpasses that of any regime after Martial Law," she added.
According to KARAPATAN, 150 persons, including a two-year-old boy and two unborn children, were killed from January to November this year while the number of political killings increased by more than 100 percent compared to 2004.
KARAPATAN said that of the 150 victims of political killings, 80 were activists who were critical of the Arroyo regime; the remaining 68 were not known to be affiliated with any political party or organization but were suspected by the military to be sympathizers, supporters, friends or relatives of communist or Muslim rebels.
"On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we believe that possibilities for justice for the victims of human rights violations and opportunities for the improvement of the human rights situation can only be opened up with the removal of Gloria Arroyo from the presidency."