Philippines rights groups launch book on killings

A network of human rights groups has launched a book on “issues that negatively impact the right to life” in the Philippines.

The network gathered experts from the academe, the religious sector, lawyers, and rights advocates to come up with papers that examine human rights conditions in the country.

Lawyer Maria Socorro Diokno, secretary-general of the Free Legal Assistance Group, said the book titled “Tending Life” aims to become a “useful reference” to inform the public on the “ramifications of the right to life.”

Included in the book is a paper written by Jesuit priest Manuel Francisco on the Catholic Church’s position on the death penalty and the challenge “to find a balance between justice and mercy.” 

Father Francisco said public awareness on the importance of protecting democratic institutions and processes is necessary and “due process” has to be protected.

The priest said the huge number of murders in the last few years and a “culture of violence and impunity” have “extinguished the lives of thousands of families … because of loopholes in our judicial system.”

“Many of us endorse quick solutions that circumvent legal processes and undermine the rights of individuals,” said Father Francisco.

The Philippine National Police has already recorded a total of 27,262 deaths since the launch in 2016 of the government’s war against drugs. 

A total of 22,983 cases were classified as “deaths under inquiry” while 4,279 supposedly happened during “legitimate police operations” from July 2016 to May 21 this year.

Rudy Diamante, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, welcomed the launching of the book, describing it as a contribution to efforts “to affirm our option for life.”

“We hope that those who receive and read the book will be enlightened on why we have to uphold life and why the killings should stop,” Diamante told ucanews.com.

The publishers said they will distribute the book to government officials, church leaders, universities and civic organizations to promote a “shift of paradigm from a culture of death to a culture of life.”

Diamante noted that the human rights situation in the Philippines has reached a “negative rating” due to government policies “that systematically abuse basic rights.”

“We aim to develop a deeper understanding of the preservation of the right to life even as we seek accountability for those who commit crimes,” said lawyer Leo Battad. 

He said the book underscores the point that the right to life “must be carefully tended so that it may regain its proper standing and value in society.”

The book includes a statement by United Nations special rapporteur Agnes Callamard who proposed the inclusion of human rights in any anti-illegal drug policy.