EDITORIAL - A human rights-based economy

On the eve of World Human Rights Day, the Supreme Court released its decision upholding the constitutionality of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act, which went into effect in July last year. Only two provisions of RA 11479 were struck down by the SC – one that it deemed to curtail freedom of expression, and another upholding national sovereignty in identifying terrorist individuals or organizations.

Senators hailed the SC ruling as a triumph of peace and defeat for terrorists, but the petitioners against the law expressed concern particularly over the provision allowing the detention of terror suspects for up to 24 days without formal charges.

Balancing national security and civil liberties has been a continuing struggle around the world, especially after the deadly attacks launched by terrorists against soft targets including the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001.

In the Philippines, where there is a genuine threat posed by violent extremists, the balancing act is complicated by human rights abuses committed by law enforcers particularly in fighting the illegal drug scourge. The pandemic did not stop the war on drugs; reports say 560 drug suspects have been killed in anti-narcotics operations since COVID-19 entered the country.

There are other aspects of human rights that the United Nations wants to highlight, however, as World Human Rights Day is marked today. With its theme revolving around equality, the UN is promoting the reduction of inequalities in all aspects life especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A “human rights-based economy” to break cycles of poverty must be the foundation of a new social contract, according to the UN, with equal opportunities for youth and promotion of the right to a healthy environment as well as climate justice. Conflict and crisis can also be tackled with a focus on human rights and policies against exclusion and discrimination.

In the pandemic, the UN wants to reverse vaccine inequality and injustice. Emerging from the pandemic, the world can “build fairer” through emphasis on the many aspects of human rights.