“The truth will set you free.”
This paraphrased biblical passage is exactly what the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is espousing during the observance of the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on Wednesday, March 24.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In its social media post, the CHR said:
"Ang karapatan sa buong katotohan, lalo na para sa mga pinakamasahol na paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao, ay susi sa pagtamasa ng hustisya, reparasyon, at paggalang sa dignidad ng mga biktima (The right to the full truth, especially for the worst human rights violations, is key to enjoying justice, reparation, and respect for the dignity of victims)," the CHR posted on Twitter.
It said that holding perpetrators of human rights injustices accountable for their actions is a crucial step in acknowledging the plights faced by the victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, torture, and other similar atrocities and providing them with justice.
"Gayun din, kinakailangan mabigyan ng reparasyon ang kanilang mga naiwan sa buhay upang maipagpatuloy ang kanilang laban para sa kapanagutan at hustisya. (Also, it is necessary to provide reparations to those who survived the victims in order to continue their fight for accountability and justice)," it added.
The International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed in honor of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who lost his life on March 24, 1980 after denouncing the human rights violations in El Salvador in Central America.
The United Nations said that the day's purpose is to honor the memory of the victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote their right to truth and justice.