The House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, under its new chairman Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando, approved the consolidation of the Human Rights Defenders bill despite reservations from government agencies on Monday, Nov. 8.

The committee tackled House Bills 15, 161 and 240 which are about the rights and fundamental freedoms of human rights defenders.

The said House measures were consolidated under HB 15 as the common bill after the deliberation and approval of the committee.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman in his manifestation said that there is a need for specific legislation for unique situations especially for human rights defenders.

“The situation of HRDs is unique and risky. There must be a specific law addressing their situation and protecting them from human rights violations by State agents and private actors acting upon the order, acquiescence or support of public authorities,” Lagman said.

Lagman, author of HB 15, added that the said bill seeks to protect legitimate, authentic and peaceful human rights defenders who protect human rights within the parameters of the law.

In his interpellation, Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate cited the human rights violations happening in the country, especially the extrajudicial killings which the United Nations Human Rights Commission took notice of.

Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat in her manifestation noted the killings, imprisonment and violence being done on lumads and other native tribes including the attacks on those defending the rights of the said groups.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, on the other hand, said that young people who are human rights defenders have been victims of blatant threats, harassment, and intimidation by authorities.

In a recorded video message presented before the committee, United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders Mary Lawlor called on the House to pass the Human Rights Defenders bill.

“Sadly, the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a human rights defender,” said Lawlor, who also noted the deaths and harassment of human rights defenders in the country.

Lawlor also lauded the provisions in the said bill which calls for the protection of human rights defenders as well as their right to privacy. She also hopes that the current Congress will prioritize the passage of the said legislation.

The Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Higher Education, National Privacy Commission, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Karapatan, National Union of Peoples Lawyers, FIND, National Council of Churches in the Philippines and Task Force Detainees gave their support for the passage of the House measure.

Expressing their opposition and reservation to the HRD bill are the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, Presidential Human Rights Committee, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. (Melvin Sarangay)