CHR expresses alarm over increased ‘targeted’ attacks on women, gov’t officials

MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights expressed concern on Tuesday, April 4 over an increase in violent incidents against women and minority groups, as well as government officials.

In a statement, the human rights body said Tuesday that it has started its independent probe on the deaths of a barangay councilor and a college student who were killed in separate incidents recently.

abuse to its Citizens’ Help and Assistance Division.

“By exercising our fundamental rights to speech and participation, we support the calls for justice and redress for the affected as well as stand up against these heinous acts,” the CHR said.

In the US State Department’s latest annual country report on human rights practices, it found that “red-tagging” and impunity among armed forces remained persistent under the Marcos administration.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March that the Philippines continues to be committed to respecting human rights and that it will be implementing a reform program aimed at establishing the rule of law. (Cristina Chi with reports from Pia Lee-Brago/ Philstar.com)

Voter suppression

“Our civil and human rights are being attacked from all sides – lack of access to health care, clean water, child care, social justice, and more are all things Black women think about when facing crucial decisions about their lives, families, and communities,” she said.

Access to the ballot box remains a big issue for Black women voters, says Baylor. “Voter suppression and subversion laws are being introduced by elected leaders in state houses across the country at an alarming rate,” she said.

How significant will reproductive rights be in 2024?

Baylor noted that Black voters are not single-issue voters but abortion rights is going to be an important issue.

“It’s going to be a deciding factor,” she said. g

The human rights body’s investigation will look into the deaths of barangay councilor Aldrin Pantos in Sta. Maria, Bulacan and De La Salle University - Dasmariñas student Leanne Duguesing.

Duguesing was stabbed to death in a dormitory in Dasmariñas City in late March. Police personnel arrested the suspect on April 1 after a hot pursuit operation.

“It is particularly troubling that certain groups, such as women, children, minorities, and even government officials, have recently been the most targeted,” the commission said.

“We stress that violence, in any form, undermines human dignity, erodes social stability, and violates individuals’ fundamental human rights,” it added.

CHR also called on the public to remain vigilant of all possible human rights violations and to report incidents of violence and