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OPCAT Campaign in the Philippines

OPCAT Campaign in the Philippines. BALAY – RCT Partnership Project. The Ratification Process. Concurrence of Executive Departments with custodial powers Signing of the President Senate deliberations for the ratification of the instrument. Flowchart of the OPCAT Ratification Process.

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OPCAT Campaign in the Philippines

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  1. OPCAT Campaign in the Philippines BALAY – RCT Partnership Project

  2. The Ratification Process • Concurrence of Executive Departments with custodial powers • Signing of the President • Senate deliberations for the ratification of the instrument

  3. Flowchart of the OPCAT Ratification Process Concurrence of custodial executive departments DOJ (Bureau of Correction) DILG (BJMP), DND DFA (with department concurrence recommends to President to sign protocol) President transmits document to Senate for deliberation and ratification Creation of an implementing legislation Installing the local instrument (National Preventive Mechanism/s)

  4. What has happened so far? • April 2006 to present: • United Against Torture Coalition (UATC), Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT), Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) dialogues with high level officials of DFA and DOJ; • Information materials and lobby kits: primers; posters; briefing note/document; OPCAT website • UATC, RCT, APT dialogue with Rep. Loretta Ann P. Rosales and Committee Secretaries of Congress (Justice, Human Rights, Foreign Affairs, Public Order and Security and National Defense) • UATC, RCT, APT dialogue with CHR • UATC dialogues with officials of the DILG, BJMP • Follow-up meetings with executive agencies • UATC General Assembly • UATC 26 June Press Forum

  5. What has happened so far? • 19 April 2006 - The Philippine Government makes its pledges to the UN in its bid for a seat at the UNHRC; • 9 May 2006 - The Philippines is elected to the new UNHRC; • 22 June 2006 OPCAT enters into force; • September 2006 - The Philippines remains silent about the OPCAT at the UN annual treaty event • UATC nationwide campaign to promote the OPCAT to stakeholders • 1. BJMP regional directors – 10 RDs • 2. Local executives – 15 provincial governments • 3. Custodial Officers / Wardens - 10 • 4. CHR regional directors – 11 RDs • 5. Political Prisoners and Detainees – 14 jails and prisons • 6. Civil Society Organizations

  6. What has happened so far? • PHRC Resolution • Signatures: 5 / 9 • (To be circulated by the UATC) • CHR position paper • DILG letter to the President and the Senate • House of Representatives Resolution sponsored by the Committee on Human Rights • 3 Individual Local Executive Resolutions • League of Provinces Resolution through the DILG • 4 out 5 caucuses on the OPCAT held • Dialogue with the COS of Sen. Santiago (author of senate bill) • National Multi-Stakeholders Forum

  7. Results of the Campaign • A wider collection of individuals, e.g. government officials, correctional personnel and human rights workers with a basic understanding of the assistance that the OPCAT can offer the Philippines. Existence of a support base for the instrument; • Revitalization of interest and concern to address torture; • The manifestation of support of all pertinent executive departments but one (DND) for the installment of the OPCAT through a Presidential Human Rights Committee resolution; • A more vigorous Commission on Human Rights in terms of pushing for the OPCAT to be put in place; • The DILG’s pledge to recommend the installment of the OPCAT to the President and the Senate; • The issuance of a resolution by the House of Representatives through the Committee on Human Rights recommending the ratification of the OPCAT; • Pledges of support for the installment of the OPCAT from at least four Senators;

  8. What still needs to be done? • Certificate of Concurrence from Executive Departments • Gathering of more signatures appealing to the President to sign the instrument • DILG letter to President and Senate • DND dialogue • Dialogue with Senators • CHR recommendation to install the OPCAT (position paper) • Individual Resolutions from Local Executives • Resolution from House of Representatives • League of Provinces Resolution • OPCAT Caucus for Embassies

  9. Lessons and Insights • Reading and responding to the signs of the times • Engaging the citizenry – peoples’ participation • Connecting as global citizens • Celebrating things that we can do and what works best

  10. Evolve with Changing Times • Diversity • Richness • Make mistakes and learn • Not just do the norm • Challenge one another

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