The importance of the OPCAT and the role of doctors and other health professionals in preventative visits

  • February 16, 2011

The Medical Action Group (MAG) is a health and human rights organizations which envisions a society where fundamental human rights are upheld at protected at all times in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). MAG is a member of the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines. The right to reparation for victims of a wrongful act is a well-established principle of international law. This obligation also applies in respect to international human

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Civil society group calls for sincere, transparent peace talks

  • February 16, 2011

Manila, Feb. 16 – Quezon City resounded with the call for sincerity and transparency in the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Norway, as a civil society movement on Tuesday marched the busy Elliptical Road from Philcoa to QC Memorial Circle, armed with bells, gongs and banners. Called the “Manindigan para sa Peace Talks” (Stand Up for Peace Talks),

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Rights group: RP ‘nothing’ to report on prevention of torture

  • September 10, 2010

A human rights group said the Philippine government might be able to submit to a United Nations body a “near-empty” report card on the progress of its compliance with an agreement against torture and other inhuman acts. “We have seen that not much progress can be reported with regards to the compliance of the Philippine government with the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,” the

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Aquino urged to criminalize acts of enforced disappearance

  • August 31, 2010

As it observed the International Day of the Disappeared on Monday, an alliance of human rights organizations urged President Aquino to criminalize acts of enforced disappearances in accordance with a United Nations’ resolution on the issue. The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) urged the President to certify as urgent the passage of a bill seeking to make enforced disappearance a crime and the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons

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Group presses for prosecution of cops in torture mess

  • August 28, 2010

An anti-torture advocate group is calling for the prosecution of suspects in the torture of an alleged thief in a police precinct in Manila’s Tondo district. The United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines made the call after the main suspect Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug denied during last Thursday’s Senate hearing he was thepolice officer shown in a cell phone video torturing an alleged robbery suspect inside the Asuncion police precinct. In a statement,

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More than inquiry must be done, prosecute Binayug and punish all torturers

  • August 27, 2010

PRESS RELEASE August 27, 2010 This is the call of the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines on the denial of Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug during a Senate hearing that he was the police officer shown in a video torturing an alleged robbery suspect in a police precinct in Asuncion, Tondo. The coalition said “while we laud the Senate inquiry on Binayug, we need more than an inquiry”. Edeliza P. Hernandez,

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Group urges govt to declare policy vs all acts of torture

  • August 23, 2010

While it welcomes Malacañang’s order for a speedy probe into the torture row, a human rights group on Saturday called on the Aquino administration to announce a policy of “total elimination” of all acts of torture. At a press conference in Quezon City, the Medical Action Group (MAG), a health organization working for the promotion and defense of health and human rights, made the call noting there are indications of

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Health group calls for justice to the torture victims; urges P-Noy to safeguard human rights by full implementation of RA 9745

  • August 18, 2010

Press Release August 18, 2010 The Medical Action Group, Inc. (MAG) condemns the inhuman act and degrading punishment recently conducted by a person in authority allegedly a police chief in Manila. This merciless act is just an example on how our government allows torture as a systematic policy in interrogation and punishment. The alleged torture victim was accused of robbery. According to ABS-CBN News, a video was captured by a

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Health group conducts a wellness campaign

  • August 10, 2010

The Alternative Health Foundation, Inc. would like to invite you to its “WELLNESS DAY” which will be held on August 18, 2010 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the PRRM Building No. 56 Mother Ignacia St., Quezon City. The following are the services to be provided during the day: 1. Physical examination 2. Laboratory examination 3. Chest X-ray 4. Electrocardiogram 5. Optical exam 6. Dental Exam 7. Pap Smear

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Erratum on news published last Feb. 8, 2010

  • February 25, 2010

The last sentence of the last paragraph in our press release dated February 8 entitled “MAG condemns the illegal arrest and detetion of health workers” originally read: “…to release immediately the remaining 12 health rights defenders…” After verifying the information, there were no releases made by the military, thus, all the forty-three (43) arrested health workers are still in their custody. Our apologies.