EDITORIAL - Human Rights Day

On Human Rights Day yesterday, the administration headed by the son of two freedom fighters was busy defending itself from allegations that it had boycotted the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to a Chinese dissident. Dismayed human rights advocates were incredulous over the government’s explanation, that it was merely a scheduling conflict for the country’s ambassador to Oslo rather than a boycott.

Regardless of the reason, the Philippines is now ranked among the countries that reportedly gave in to China’s calls for a boycott of the Peace Prize: Afghanistan, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sudan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Dec. 10, 1948 was the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The anniversary of the event has also been the traditional date for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize. The absence of the Philippines at the Oslo gathering is a low point for a champion of human rights and democracy in Asia.

On the plus side for human rights advocates, the government yesterday ordered the release of 43 health workers arrested and detained by the military on allegations that they were communist rebels. The military said the fact that the communist National Democratic Front was pushing for the release of the so-called Morong 43 was further evidence that the health workers were rebels. The release of the 43 came as the government prepared for the resumption of formal peace negotiations with the NDF.

Beyond human rights violations in the course of counterinsurgency operations, and beyond the controversy over Philippine presence at the Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony, the Aquino administration still has much work to do in upholding human rights. Institutional reforms are still not in place to prevent unexplained killings and disappearances, or even another Maguindanao massacre.

This year’s international celebration of Human Rights Day is dedicated to those who are working to end discrimination, oppression, violence and exclusion. Discrimination includes acts against indigenous peoples, minorities, migrant workers, women, and people with disabilities. It also includes racial and religious discrimination. Even in the Philippines where tough laws have been passed to penalize many forms of discrimination, there is still a long way to go in promoting the welfare of vulnerable sectors.