Some people aren't in favor of removing Commission on Human Rights while they absolutely hate the performance of Cheato Gascon, Etta Rosales and Leila Dilemma while they were in the position as its chairperson. I considered abolishing CHR forever while leaving the judicial system to defend human rights but another alternative is to fire Gascon and all the incompetent workers in that department. For people who don't want to abolish CHR as a department in the fear that "democracy may die" there's an alternative. If abolishing CHR sounds too scary so let's think about how to clean up the department. I have given consideration that abolishing CHR because of its incompetence would be like closing down every other government offices because of incompetence.
It's important to fire Gascon from his job and those who will protest against his removal for corruption-related and impunity-related charges. Gascon himself hasn't been any good. It would be important to get rid of all the PNoy Imperialists inside that organization. Hire from other oppositions if necessary as long as they believe in defending the rights of law abiding citizens to that of criminals. You could consider picking up people from other rival parties who don't have the same mindset as Gascon, Rosales and Dilemma. CHR wouldn't be a useless organization if it weren't ran by useless people.
CHR should do what it's supposed to do which is defending the human rights of victims instead of the criminals. While criminals do have the right not to be convicted beyond their crime but they should have no right to impunity. Anyone caught trying to cater to impunity-related cases or accepting bribes can be dismissed or even serve jail time. Nobody should be exempted whether it's a lower rank employee or even the Chairperson. Gascon, Rosales and Dilemma should be given their appropriate punishments to set an example that CHR shouldn't be an organization that defends criminal rights instead of human rights.
A good example of how CHR should work will be like this. There's a bloody raid against criminals. The first thing to do to focus is whether or not the bloody raid killed innocent civilians instead of the criminals who had to be shot because they were getting bloody. The CHR should cater to the rights of the victims like human shields or those who were shot by reckless policemen. They should also make sure that the criminals who are arrested would get punished for human rights violations. The organization should also have a strong policy against accepting bribes to make sure that human rights are truly upheld.
Here's what CHR is supposed to do but these are all thrown out of the window or done selectively:
The Commission on Human Rights shall have the following powers and functions:
1.) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights;
2.) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt for violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court;
3.) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to the under-privileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection;
4.) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities;
5.) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;
6.) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families;
7.) Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights;
8.) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;
9.) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions;
10.) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and
11.) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.
There's nothing wrong with doing those listed above. It's important to visit some prison cells to make sure that policemen aren't abusing authority or that prisoners who misbehave get punished. It would be good to have further research, education and information. It's also good to comply with international treaty obligations but not to the point of letting other countries bully the Philippines. But what the likes of Gascon, Rosales and Dilemma are doing is granting immunity to anyone who can pay the right price for it. They should also keep in mind that with every right there's a corresponding duty. If you have the right to education it's your duty to go to school. If you have the right to a safe home then it's your duty to keep your home safe.
What do you think of this proposal?
Comments
Post a Comment