THE HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) is a non-stock, non-profit

alliance duly registered under the laws of the Philippines, with SEC No. ANO92-03505. It was
established on August 9, 1986 in a Congress that was participated in by more than a hundred
organizations from all over the Philippines. It was formed as an alliance of individuals, institutions
and organizations committed to the promotion, protection and realization of human rights in the
Philippines.

Among its founding members are organizations and individuals who were in the forefront of
the struggle against the dictatorial regime of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. The
establishment of PAHRA was a consolidation of the human rights movement in the country and an
acknowledgement of the role played by the human rights organizations in the anti-dictatorship
struggle. It was recognition of the need for a formal venue for cooperation and coordination among
human rights groups in the country. From its founding, PAHRA has consistently been in the forefront
of struggle for human rights. Today, it has established itself not only as one of the major human
rights formations but as one of the leading voices in human rights advocacy in the Philippines.
Through its initiative, the Philippine Declaration of Human and People’s Rights was adopted in
December 1993 during the Human Rights Summit, which PAHRA convened. Such Declaration led to
the adoption of The Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration of the Philippines, which is meant to be
the contribution of the Philippines to the long-envisioned ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.

Also, PAHRA is the sole civil society representative in the Philippine Government’s
Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), and is an affiliate of the International Federation of
Human Rights Leagues (FIDH). It is also a member of regional organizations like the Asian Forum of
Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), and the Asian Network for Free Elections
(ANFREL).

VISION

PAHRA envisions a just, democratic, and peaceful Philippines founded on human rights
culture. It envisions a society where there is gender equity, recognition of multiculturalism,
environmental protection, and sustainable development. As such, all individuals and peoples are
able to fully realize their potentials, participate and contribute in the economic, political, social and
cultural life of society, and share equitably in the benefits of economic progress.

MISSION

To achieve its vision, PAHRA commits itself to the development of a strong, progressive,
dynamic, and pluralist human rights movement that engages the state to comply with its HR
obligations and non-state actors to fulfill their HR responsibilities. To do this, PAHRA constitutes
itself as a campaign and advocacy center and develops an education and information center in
partnership with its member organizations and other NGOs, POs and individual members, and in the
government at all levels.

GOALS

To promote and defend human rights, and prevent Human Rights violations and abuses by:
 Establishing structures, and processes for Human Rights;
 Working for gender equality;
 Attaining justice through indemnification for human rights victims and abuse;
 Protecting environment and developing sustainable development strategies; and
 Working for peace based on justice and Human Rights

PAHRA Advocacy Work

Since its founding in 1986, PAHRA serves as an advocacy center and has been committed
to work for the respect and promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights:
We are committed to work for the recognition and realization of all human rights embodied in
the international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International
Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the Declaration on the Right to Development, and the Universal Declaration on the Rights of
the Peoples. We support the implementation by the International Committee of the Red Cross of
International Humanitarian Law embodied in Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols.
 THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY

INTERNAL THREATS

1. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – the MILF in constructive peace negotiation, the
armed activities of the group continue to be a source of serious concern, particularly the
build-up its defensive and offensive capabilities. Hand in hand with this security problem is
the threat from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a small band of highly mobile terrorists with
suspected links to international networks.

2. The Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic

Front (CPP/NPA/NDF)- continuous ton pose a serious threat to national security, although
presently weakened in comparison with their peak strength in the period 1985-87.

3. Organized crime - is a national security concern. The challenge of illegal drugs in particular,
has grown into a major threat to the national community.

4. Grave incidence of poverty -is also a serious threat to national security, especially to the
extent that it breeds rebellion, crime and dissidence. Poverty incidence affects about one-
third (1/3) of Filipino nationwide.

5. Economic sabotage- undermines the market economy, the financial system and the
nation’s resources. Under this category are underground activities such as counterfeiting,
money laundering, large-scale smuggling, inter-oceanic poaching and commercial dumping.

6. Graft and corruption -has become another threat to our national security by virtue of the
huge scale by which it saps public resources, undermines the morale of the civil service and
affects the delivery of quality basic services.

7. Severe calamities - causes serious food shortages, abet hoarding and profiteering tool
stands at more than 13,000 lives lost and p179 Billion worth of property destroyed.

8. Persistent environment degradation – poses a long term security threat. The attrition of
forest and watersheds, air-land-water pollution and the proliferation of toxic substances are a
cause of sickness, death and the diminution of national productivity and well-being.

EXTERNAL THREATS

1. The multi-lateral dispute over the Spratly Island is a source of intermittent tensions, owing to
the buildup structures, believed to be military-oriented, by some claimant countries in the
area.

2. The smuggling firearms and contraband, illegal migration and occasional movement of
foreign terrorists through the porous borders of our southwestern frontier have elicited
transnational concern. Philippine law enforcement agencies work closely with international
police organizations, bilaterally and multilaterally, to check these activities.

3. The lingering effects of the currency crisis affecting the countries within the Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are a cause of regional anxieties which tend to
aggravate the political instabilities and socio-economic dislocations involving the poorest
people.

4. The serious economic disparity between rich and poor nations keeps the world in a state of
instability and virtually on the brink of war in many places.

5. Ethnic, religious and cultural conflict pervades many regions and nations including our own.
It is constantly exacerbated by mass poverty, limited access to resources, denial of human
rights, lack of national integration and international issues.