30-05-2012 Torture in the Philippines was among the primary focuses of the United Nations Human Rights Council during the country’s Universal Periodic Review yesterday. More than 15 states focused on torture in their recommendations to improve human rights in the Philippines. These recommendations include: that the Government of the Philippines effectively implements the 2009 Anti-Torture Act, with a particular focus on ensuring that all investigations and prosecutions of allegations of
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
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
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,
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
The Medical Action Group (MAG) supports the initiatives of Dr. Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Health (DOH) in her endeavour to fight the escalating incidence of HIV/AIDS in the country through condom distribution at Dangwa, Sampaloc last February 14. MAG lauds the unflinching sincerity and steadfast commitment of Dr. Cabral and the entire agency, in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With her efforts, the public health interest prevailed.
MAG welcomes the acquittal and release of the four of five torture victims detained at Davao City Jail since 2003 after alleged charges of multiple murder and frustrated murder in connection with a bombing incident in Davao City. Esmael Mamalangkas, Ting Idar, Tohamie Ulong and Jimmy Balulao Silongan were already free men last January 29, 2010. The two latter, Tohamie and Jimmy were only minors, 16 and 15 respectively, at
MAG, together with its partner organizations, political detainees and political prisoners and their relatives, celebrates the yuletide season during the Paskuhan sa Kampo (Christmas in Detention) last December 2009.
Source: Inquirer.Net http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20071024-96546/%91Mamita%2C%92_doctor%2C_activist%2C_dies MANILA, Philippines — Former social welfare secretary Mita Pardo de Tavera passed away last Tuesday after a battle with leukemia. She was 87. Interment will be on Friday after a Mass at 1 p.m. at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. Born to the illustrious Pardo de Tavera clan, “Mamita,” as she was called by people close to her, devoted more than six
In spite of the recent enactment of RA 9439 or the Hospital Detention Law, patients are still being detained in the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag for failure to settle their Hospital bills. Resembling an unsanitized evacuation area, 18 patients lay in makeshift carton mats in the hospital’s abandoned out-patient department. A newly born baby who was previously diagnosed with Pneumonia, was again afflicted by the said disease due to