PRESS RELEASE: UN Human Rights Committee to hear of torture of
Philippine children
October 21, 2003
Geneva, Switzerland- The United Nations Human Rights Committee is to be briefed today by Father Shay Cullen and other representatives of Philippine human rights organizations on the state of human rights in the Philippines. The PREDA Foundation, nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize, will highlight the condition of children and youth in Philippine prisons and specifically the systematic abuse and torture of children in prisons and centers such as the government-run Olongapo Center for Assistance, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (OCARE) in Olongapo City, Philippines.
The summary execution of minors and defenders of human rights in the cities of Davao and Digos in southern Philippines is also on the briefing agenda besides the failure of the government to address the violation of children's and youths' rights when arrested and jailed in violation of Philippine laws.
The World Organization Against Torture, representing 240 international non-government organizations and Amnesty International are pressing the UN Committee to make strong recommendations to the Philippine government to protect the rights of minors and children. In particular that they be informed of their legal rights, not to be held in a jail with adults, that they be brought before a prosecutor within the regulated 36 hours, that social workers and their parents be informed of their arrest immediately, that restraints and handcuffs not be used and that minors and children be referred to a youth rehabilitation center rather than holding cells or jails.
The UN Committee has heard of children being sexually and physically abused in prison by guards, inmates and barangay (village) officials.
The condition of children in the hands of the authorities endure treatment that is a violation of the Philippines' obligations under the treaty," Fr. Cullen told members of the committee.
Fr. Shay Cullen, the main presenter of the situations on Philippine children and minors, comes at the time when the Philippines is presenting its report to the United Nations in compliance with the obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights- the second time in thirteen years it has done so. [END]
PREDA Foundation, Inc.
