Our organizations are convinced that the bill will constitute a crucial and fundamental step for human rights protection in the Philippines after decades of civil society’s struggle to have domestic legislation on the criminalization of torture. FIDH and PAHRA consider that in signing the Anti-Torture Act the Philippines may influence other States in Asia to take similar action. The adoption of this bill will be a significantly positive step towards the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms which have called upon the Philippines’ authorities to elaborate specific domestic law criminalizing torture as stated in the country’s Constitution.
The President urged to sign the Freedom from Torture Law
In a joint letter addressed to the President of the Republic of Philippines, Ms. Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) express their concern regarding the delay of the signing of the new Anti-Torture Act of the Philippines despite the fact that it has been adopted by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.