Development is not development when it is being rammed down the throats of the people.

Development becomes aggression when it undermines the will of the people and triggers human rights violations in the process.

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) condemns in the strongest possible terms the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) decision to issue an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the 11, 200 hectare Mindoro Nickel Project to be ‘developed’ by the Intex Resources, a Norwegian mining company.

Copenhagen - Geneva, 13 November 2009. The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) welcome the signing yesterday by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Act Penalizing the Commission of Acts of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, prescribing Penalties Therefore and for Other Purposes. The signing of the Act is a considerable step forwards in preventing and eradicating all forms of torture and ill-treatment in the Republic of the Philippines.

As we commemorate our friends and relatives who have passed away this coming all souls day, the human rights community through the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and its partner organizations led an activity to commemorate human rights defenders. The said activity was held at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo Manila.

“This activity was offered to those who have dedicated their time in upholding the rights of the people, they have been involve in the struggles and even sacrificed their lives to defend dignity.” Said Max de Mesa, Chairperson of PAHRA.

The Philippines as a State Party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment has agreed that torture, among others, is a crime under international law. It knows that torture seeks to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. Furthermore, the systematic or widespread practice of torture constitutes a crime against humanity. Torture must be abhorred.

While martial law was put to an end by an uprising of people, torture is still perpetrated unabatedly and with impunity. The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) has documented the torture of more than 500 individuals during the present administration. UN Special Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston, as well as the European Union’s Needs Assessment Team underscored the persistence of the torture phenomenon which in relation to arrests and detention is done with presumed regularity.