Human rights situation in RP more dismal - CHR

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Leila de Lima said human rights in the country are “more dismal” than before in the wake of Maguindanao massacre.

“This incident only made the human rights situation in the country more dismal. Last year, in the wake of the extrajudicial killings, I said the human rights situation in the country was dismal; now it’s more dismal. Because today, they choose no one anymore, when before, mostly common victims are activists or members of progressive organizations, this time, mas malawak na ang extra judicial killings, even those who are not activists are killed, although this is really politically motivated.Even so, this is still considered extra-judicial killing,” De Lima pointed out.

She said the Maguindanao killings came as an irony amid the observance of the International Human Rights Day this year.

De Lima said that the Arroyo administration is catching up with the human rights violations of the Marcos dictatorship in terms of statistics and nature of violence.

She lamented that the country might be nearing a “failed state of democracy” and might even finally reach that level if impunity persists and justice would remain evasive for the victims, survivors, and their families.

“The situation has gotten worse when we’re supposed to have already democracy in the Philippines,” De Lima said.– With Artemio Dumlao, Ramil Bajo, Evelyn Macairan, Perseus Echeminada and Jose Rodel Clapano