Solon bats for anti-torture bill

A lawmaker from Albay said Friday that in the wake of government’s determination to obtain information vital to national security in line with its anti-terrorism campaign, it becomes more urgent to put in place safeguards against torture.

Rep. Edcel C. Lagman filed the proposed Anti-Torture Act of 2007 to give value to the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights.

Torture is inhuman, cruel, degrading and unjust, according to Lagman.

“It is an affront to human dignity and also it is dehumanizing in its brutality,” Lagman said.

“A law that defines torture, specifies acts that constitute torture, and imposes the corresponding penalties is long overdue,” Lagman said in pushing for the bill.

Lagman also pointed out that it is imperative to ensure the human, constitutional and legal rights of persons arrested, detained, imprisoned or under custodial interrogation are protected and upheld.

“Moreover,” Lagman said, “state agents or authorities who torture the very citizens they are sworn to protect and defend must be held accountable criminally and civilly for their heinous offense.”