Human Rights Promotion, Protection and Respect in Maguindanao

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the human rights situation in Maguindanao Province during the period of 2006 to 2012. Specifically, it aimed to find out how CHR provides appropriate legal measures for the protection, promotion and respect for human rights for all persons residing in the Philippines as well as Filipinos residing abroad. The support agencies in the implementation of human rights protection, promotion and respect such as the, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of th Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Non-Governmentl Organizations (NGOs) were also assessed. Problems encountered in the implementation of human rights protection, promotion and respect were also identified. The policy implications were drawn from the result of the study. The study was a qualitative research which used the phenomenological method which studies experiences of the residents. The researcher finds this method appropriate in describing the situation of human rights in the province of Maguindanao. The information was taken through interview of the key informants, observation and documents analysis. The study found out and concluded that the protection, promotion and respect for human right in the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao is high as manifested by immediate response of CHR and NGOs whenever there were incidents of violations and less occurrence of human rights violations. There were large numbers of human rights violations in the Municipalities of Talitay. Talayan and Guindulungan during the height of armed confrontations between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008. However, these violations trimmed down due to the existing peace truce between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The government agencies and non-governmental organizations had given their roles in the protection, promotion and respect for human rights of the residents of the Municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talayan, Talitay and Guindulungan. The CHR and the partner agencies encountered problems on financial constraints and facilities in the implementation of their mandates as well as awareness and willingness of residents or victims to stand up their right.