Do you know your rights as a human being? Have you ever felt that these rights were violated? These are the first questions that come to mind when human rights are mentioned. I wonder if everyone is aware of their rights and what they do when these rights are violated.

Human Rights Day is observed every 10th of December to raise awareness about the importance of human rights and the ongoing struggle for their protection. It commemorates the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document in the history of human rights affirming the inalienable rights of all individuals regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, or religion. As the world marks this day, it is essential to reflect on the state of human rights in several countries such as the Philippines where challenges in realizing these rights persist.

The UDHR preserves and protects universally applicable fundamental rights which includes the right to life, liberty, and security; the right to be free from slavery, torture, or degrading treatment; the right to a fair trial; and the right to participate in the cultural, social, and political activities of one’s community. These principles are intended to serve as a standard that all governments and institutions are expected to adhere to. Unfortunately, the Philippines is one of the many countries that struggle to realize these rights.

Over the years, the Philippines has faced significant challenges with regards to reports on the violation of human rights in specific contexts such as political, social, and economic concerns. The following include extrajudicial killings and the war on drugs, attacks on journalists and press freedom, discrimination and marginalization of indigenous communities, and many others. 

Despite the pressing issues on human rights in the Philippines, human rights defenders and organizations work tirelessly to defend and uphold these rights. KARAPATAN, an alliance of various individuals, organizations, and groups, works to protect and promote human rights in the Philippines. Commission on Human Rights, an independent National Human Rights Institution, conducts investigations on human rights violations against marginalized and vulnerable sectors of society, taking civil and political rights into account. Families and Victims of Involuntary Disappearances (FIND), a non-governmental organization, advocates human rights and empowers people in defense of human rights and the rule of law. These are only a few of the many groups and organizations in the Philippines that are fighting for the rights of all.

Human rights are not only my rights. They are your rights and the rights of many others too. As we observe the Human Rights Day, let us all be reminded of our rights and reflect on the current state of human rights in our country. The fight for human rights is far from over, but hope still remains that our individual efforts together with the human rights defenders, groups, and organizations in the country will pave way for a just and equitable society.