The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched a new campaign aimed at ending torture and other abuses in jails across the country, as it renewed its call for the establishment of an independent body to monitor detention facilities.
The campaign, called Bantay Bilangguan and launched on July 18, seeks to push for the passage of a measure establishing a National Preventive Mechanism in line with the Philippines’ obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, which it ratified in 2012.
According to the CHR, systemic monitoring of jails and other places of detention is necessary to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
“Torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment can never be justified,” the CHR said.
The CHR noted that despite the Philippines’ ratification of OPCAT 13 years ago, the country has yet to establish its National Preventive Mechanism, unlike 94 other state parties.
It also emphasized that the delay highlights the need to uphold the rights of PDLs and to address concerns of torture and ill-treatment in places of detention.
The commisssion explained that the proposed National Preventive Mechanism would be tasked with conducting regular inspections of detention facilities, issuing recommendations, and engaging with agencies to address the conditions of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
While acknowledging efforts by the government to improve conditions for PDLs, the CHR said that establishing a National Preventive Mechanism would build on these initiatives while ensuring accountability and protecting human rights within the country’s detention system.
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