IPs, disaster victims tagged as priority for 2016 polls human rights violation watch

TACLOBAN CITY, March 16 (PNA) -– The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and partner organizations will closely watch the possible manipulation of indigenous people (IP) and persons badly-displaced by disasters this election period as violation of human rights.

CHR Chairman Chito Gascon said the two groups are their priority for monitoring in the 2016 elections considering their vulnerability.

“One of our preparation works is the monitoring of the practice of using indigenous people and those in transitional shelters. They’re being transported by some groups to voting centers in favor of a particular candidate,” said Gascon in a forum with civil society organizations here on Wednesday.

The CHR and partner organizations have developed a tool for monitoring of human rights violations, victimizing typhoon-hit families and members of indigenous groups.

“Part of their right to vote is the freedom to make their own choice. Part of the dignity of the voter is becoming an empowered voter,” Gascon added.

People in transitional shelters like in Yolanda-hit areas are susceptible to manipulations considering their needs for basic services.

The CHR head asked the public to help them monitor human rights violations of vulnerable groups by providing basic information about incidents for submission to the Commission on Elections.

“There should be a balance between right of the voter to participate actively on the electoral process and the right of the voter to be prevented from being manipulated,” he added.

Earlier, the CHR forged partnership with civil society organizations to form the Task Force 2016 that will carry out the “Bantay Karapatan sa Halalan” campaign, bringing together at least 31 human rights groups and election watchdogs.

The campaign aims to develop a human rights framework in relation to the 2016 elections, provide a platform for human rights violations in the country during the polls, and tackle impunity and prosecute election law violators. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO