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Many people are not well-informed about human rights. The lack of knowledge
thereof is particularly evident in our country. Hence, as law students and as
future members of the Bar, we must grasp the essence of human rights.
Human rights are those inherent to all human beings, regardless of sex,
nationality, religion, ethnicity, or any status.1
Full recognition of these inherent rights started with the formation of the
United Nations. The United Nations formed a formal declaration of human
rights,2 following the end of the Second World War.
It is important to know the basis of human rights under the international law
as well as in our own legal context. Most of the laws and treaties for the
protection of human rights are based from the provisions of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1948, providing for the
fundamental rights that must be universally protected.
The International Labour Organization has set forth eight (8) core conventions
recognizing the right of human beings at work. Each member-state in the
Convention is deemed responsible to preserve these rights to improve
individual and collective working conditions.
The Bill of Rights7 is most notable for incorporating provisions of the UDHR in
our legal system. Moreover, the Constitution provides provides a sole section
to propagate human rights in different sectors such as in labor, land reform,
health care, and women empowerment.8 This same section paved the way to
the creation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). CHR is a
constitutional commission mandated to protect human rights and to
investigate human rights violations.9
Special laws were also enacted in favor of human rights. These laws includes
but not limited to the following:
This act created the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council under DOJ, which
sets the implementing rules in cases involving children in conflict with the law.
It also addresses the need for their rehabilitation and reintegration in society.
This act provide privileges to disabled persons for the improvement of their
lives and to help them integrate into society. It also recognizes the right of the
disabled to rehabilitation and the equal opportunity to employment.
Despite a lot of effort to promote human rights, its violations were seemingly
innumerable.
The most recent violation thereof is the increasing number of casualties in the
governments anti-illegal drugs campaign. Some of the victims were often
seen to be innocent parties.
10Art.5, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
This is unfortunate by reason of the various laws enacted to protect the right
to life under the process of law. Likewise, seeing homeless people and those
who experience poor living conditions is an everyday scenario in Metro Manila.
There are also a lot of labor disputes in which the main issue are violations of
labor rights by the employer. (e.g. illegal dismissal, non-payment of 13th
month pay, et. al.)
The issues on human rights will always be a relevant topic. The first step to
solve these problems is to recognize human rights as inherent and inseparable
to everyone.
We should make the effort of protecting our inherent rights as human beings.
It may be as simple as treating everyone with respect or may be active as
participating in endeavors for the promotion of human rights.