Naked truth
Just few years ago they have enjoyed worldwide fame because of their mass dance presentation to the tune of Michael Jackson's hit songs. And just recently, they once again grabbed the people's attention. But this time, it's a different kind of popularity. Photos of naked prisoners at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, who woke up to a surprise inspection, have circulated on social media. They were stripped of their clothes as the PDEA officials conducted surprise raid. According to the said officials such way of raid is to prevent riots and casualties, and so to protect both the jailers and the prisoners. And such move is supported by the provincial government.
And so it was all about security, perhaps, it was necessary. The only thing they should have been mindful of was that the naked body of prisoners would not be exposed to the public. And so we can't help but question the intention of leaking naked photos of the prisoners. And what for if all they wanted is to ascertain that prohibited elements will be searched and confiscated. Yes, they were right on the part of mutual safety. But they should also be careful that the naked inmates would not be photographed and exposed to the public.
And so the Commission on Human Rights cried foul by citing a United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, saying that "intrusive searches, including strip and body cavity searches, should be undertaken only if absolutely necessary.
Once again there is a clarion call to remind authorities that it is their responsibility to ensure all persons deprived of their freedom shall also be protected from ill-treatment.
We can't help others from drawing their observations that for plain and simple reason it was done to humiliate the prisoners. And so it is also a simple display of incompetence on the part of the enforcing authority.
In the final analysis, human dignity is inviolable and it must be respected and protected. The dignity of the human person is not only a fundamental right in itself, but constitutes the basis of fundamental rights in international law.
While in prison, it is quite an acceptable procedure when illegal and dangerous items are suspected. However it is not inhumane until someone breached people's privacy by leaking photos in the media.
Human dignity goes to the heart and soul of human identity, regardless of sex and social status hence the name of the trust. And since we are giving them chance for reform and be better individuals someday, they still deserve our respect. It is the very dignity of a person that allows individuals and groups to feel respected, valued and connected with others around them. Dignity and respect are considered basic human rights, and both help people feel a sense of worthiness and importance. It is in hope that they strive for transformation. Along this transformation stage, they need to feel respected.
Once again there is a need to assert that without dignity none of the protections of the various legal human rights mechanisms can have real meaning, which is why the concept has held, and continues to hold, a central place in the international human rights framework.
We can't help but think of the real intention of providing the photos to news websites. Was it a lapse of judgment or to sow humiliation? Even if prisoners have been stripped with their freedom, at least they will not be stripped of their basic rights. Stripping them and showing to the world reveals the naked truth of inhumanity.
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