CHR to investigate acts of violence against health workers
Published Apr 1, 2020 12:00 am
By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has vowed to look into the senseless acts of violence and discrimination made against the country's healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN)
Reports have reached Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit that these HCWs, who have been tirelessly working to care for individuals affected by the virus, are facing threats to their lives.
"The CHR strongly condemns in the strongest sense possible the senseless acts of physical violence and discrimination against our health workers, the true unsung heroes at the frontlines of our response against COVID-19," she said.
Gomez-Dumpit cannot believe that these HCWs are being physically assaulted and discriminated against because of their exposure to the virus, even though they are zealously guarding everyone's right to life and health.
The Commissioner said that HCWs are being unlawfully evicted from their residences for the simple reason that they are HCWs. Last weekend, five unidentified assailants even threw bleach at the face of a health worker on his way home from a private hospital in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
"CHR joins the clamor for justice and will investigate these assaults committed against our health workers. We call on everyone to help stop the violence and discrimination. Let us support and defend our health workers," she said.
Instead of just hailing these frontline heroes online, Gomez-Dumpit said people must take steps to also "care and protect them offline."
She has cited General Comment No. 36 of the UN Human Rights Committee and called on the government to take special measures of protection for people in situations of vulnerability, such as the health workers. Their lives have been placed at risk because of specific threats or preexisting patterns of violence.
(CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN)
Reports have reached Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit that these HCWs, who have been tirelessly working to care for individuals affected by the virus, are facing threats to their lives.
"The CHR strongly condemns in the strongest sense possible the senseless acts of physical violence and discrimination against our health workers, the true unsung heroes at the frontlines of our response against COVID-19," she said.
Gomez-Dumpit cannot believe that these HCWs are being physically assaulted and discriminated against because of their exposure to the virus, even though they are zealously guarding everyone's right to life and health.
The Commissioner said that HCWs are being unlawfully evicted from their residences for the simple reason that they are HCWs. Last weekend, five unidentified assailants even threw bleach at the face of a health worker on his way home from a private hospital in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
"CHR joins the clamor for justice and will investigate these assaults committed against our health workers. We call on everyone to help stop the violence and discrimination. Let us support and defend our health workers," she said.
Instead of just hailing these frontline heroes online, Gomez-Dumpit said people must take steps to also "care and protect them offline."
She has cited General Comment No. 36 of the UN Human Rights Committee and called on the government to take special measures of protection for people in situations of vulnerability, such as the health workers. Their lives have been placed at risk because of specific threats or preexisting patterns of violence.