In line with the rampant cases of Human Rights violence such as extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearance and others, the Asia Foundation and House of the Representative headed by Deputy Spreaker Representative Lorenzo R. Tañada III and Bayan Muna Party List Representative Neri Javier Colmenares launches the TUKAYO: Human Rights Campaign against Impunity project at the North Wing of Congress last August 3. This campaign is also supported by the Commission on Human Rights, NGOs, and various public and private sectors as they call for justice to those victims and for the families who were left behind and doesn’t know if their love ones are still alive or not.
Tukayo is a Filipino term for a person sharing the same name of other person, but with this campaign it challenges everyone to stand up and share with the rights and struggle of their “ka-tukayo” who were victims of human rights violations. Up to date there are101 cases of human rights violation in the court but no one were sentenced because of it. Sadly there are those who are in jail but still enjoying the luxury of life with air conditioned rooms and escorts rather than staying behind bars with other common criminals. CHK reported 1, 001 victims of alleged extralegal killings (ELKs) covering the period of 2001-2009. While Karapatan, a civil society group reported 1, 188 victims of ELKs, 205 enforced disappearances, and 1, 028 incidents of torture also from 2001 to 2009. Having almost 2 years since the last documentation, the possible case is that the percentage of ELKs may grew by 50% or more and worse unreported cases can be double in numbers, same with torture cases and enforced disappearances. Victims include political activists, members of media and grassroots organizers.
With this project, it will create awareness on current state of human rights violation in the Philippines and put end on the culture of impunity. There will be signature walls and panels that will be installed in public areas and schools to create buzz and awareness and gain support from the society in order to give strength to the families of the victims who continue crying for justice and to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to sign the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP). The action plan will roll out from the national level down to the baranggays empowering every citizen as they uphold their civil and political rights. It will align the provisions of 8 different international treties and conventions so ensure the protection of the rights of all including labor, women, children, activists, media and more.
The signature walls will be installed in schools and government offices. The initial list includes:
August 3-5: University of the Philippines Diliman
August 3-9: House of the Representatives
August 8-12: Ateneo Law School, Rockwell
August 10-13: San Beda law School, Manila
August 15-19: De La Salle Law School, Manila
August 15-19: Ateneo de Manila University
While the panels will be installed in selected MRT stations including:
August 4-6: Shaw Station
August 10-12: Buendia Station
August 17-19: Ayala Station
There will also virtual wall where everyone can post their support and read all the stories of Human Rights cases in the country. The website is www.speakup.com.ph.
Right now there are so many bills endorsed in the congress, among them is the Marcos Compensation Bill that will compensate 9,539 persons named as class suit judgment creditors and the 24 direct action judgment creditors in the human rights litigation against the Marcos estate. This bill was endorsed by former Bayan Muna Party list Representatives Liza Maza, Satur Ocampo and the late Crispin Beltran which is now pushed by their successors in the congress. The said campaign will give way to strengthen the legislator to create laws that will safeguard the rights of everyone in their civil and political rights and the search for immediate justice to the victims and those who they left.
