DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 October) – Bangsamoro organizations are launching this weekend the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC), which will tackle human rights protection and violation in Southwestern Mindanao.
MinHRAC will be launched at the Pacific Heigths and the Marqueza in Cotabato City on Saturday, October 31.
The Center’s primary objectives are “to foster respect for human rights, constitutional rights, and promote the rule of law in Mindanao as well as other parts in the Philippines; to monitor, expose and oppose human rights violations; to promote critical human rights awareness among the people through education, training, information, research and documentations; to promote cooperation and solidarity among regional, national, and international organizations active in the field of human rights.”
“The ravages of the past and present armed hostilities in Mindanao continue to haunt peoples in the island particularly in conflict affected areas. Economic survival and human rights protection are main problems confronting these communities. Women, youth, and children mostly suffered from human rights violations during these very difficult circumstances. The aftermath of war and conflict, as well as the realities of poverty make them more vulnerable to depression, deprivation, marginalization, and exploitation,” the MinHRAC’s press statement says.
MinHRAC is a collaborative effort of Bangsamoro organizations such as the Bangsamoro Lawyers’ Network, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum, Inc., Kadtuntaya Foundation Inc., Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, United Youth for Peace and Development, United Youth of the Philippines, Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace, Kangudan Development Center Inc., IPRC, Bangsamoro Center for Law and Policy and Al Ihsan Foundation.
Commiassion on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima will discuss the theme “Human Rights for All” during the launch.
CHR has no regional office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. ARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi and Lanao del Sur and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
The CHR and MinHRAC will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) during the launch. The press statement, however, did not say what the MOA is for.
MinHRAC’s executive director, Paisal S. Abdul, will give the welcome remarks and presentation of delegates during the launch while lawyer Anwar Malang, MinHRAC chair, will give an overview of the Center.
Among those asked to deliver solidarity messages are Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel cahir Mohagher Iqbal, Kadtuntaya Foundation chair Guiamel Alim, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cotabato chapter president Sukarno Abas and Col. Ernesto Aradanas, chief of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade.
Lawyer Christina Haw Tai-Jover of the CHR in Cotabato City will discuss human rights situation in the region while Sammy Maulana, secretary-general of the Consortium on Bangsamoro Civil Society, will discuss the realities of human rights violations in Mindanao.
Abdulbasit Benito, Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace, will deliver the closing remarks. (MIndaNews)
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