Australia gives P5-M grant to boost RP's forensic capability

Saying forensic technology is one critical aspect to resolving cases of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations, the Australian government on Thursday gave a P5-million grant to enhance the Philippines’ investigative capabilities. The P5.2-million grant was part of the Declaration of Cooperation signed by Manila and Canberra, which is intended to support activities and improve performance of the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The Declaration was signed by Australian Ambassador Rod Smith and CHR chairperson Leila de Lima during the Asia Pacific Policy Forum on human rights issues faced by the two countries that was organized by the Australian Embassy. “The Australian government is pleased to assist partner governments such as the Philippines to respect, protect, and fulfill their international human rights obligations," said Smith during the signing. For her part, De Lima welcomed the financial assistance even as she admitted that the commission is grappling with "limited" skills of its investigators. “It’s evident that we have low prosecution and conviction rate of perpetrators of extrajudicial killings. There is self-reflection and self-evaluation, and I think we also have our shortcomings, because the skills of our investigators are very limited," De Lima disclosed. The Australian financial grant will involve enhancing the CHR’s performance of investigations on cases of human rights violations, through technical assistance to be provided by the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (Equipo Peruano de Antropologia Forense or EPAF) CHR’s need for forensic experts According to De Lima, the commission’s field investigators are “passionate and dedicated", but investigative skills are also important in gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. She said these skills are crucial for the commission to prepare “prosecution-ready" reports to be submitted to pertinent government agencies. “When we send prosecution-ready reports, it will be processed more quickly by the Justice department or the Ombudsman. Reports should be prosecution-ready so that they will easily be adopted by these agencies," said de Lima. However, the commission lacks investigators who have the necessary forensic expertise, compounded by the fact that witnesses likewise refuse to speak for fear of reprisal. Meanwhile, during the forum, EPAF executive director and forensic anthropologist Dr. Jose Pablo Baraybar identified as another major problem. Government agencies to rely too much on witness testimony when resolving human rights issues, he said. “There is also a lack of internationally recognized numbers on human rights abuses, such as extrajudicial killings and enforces, to be used and quoted universally in various studies," Baraybar said. He added there is likewise not enough support for civil society groups which have been instrumental in exposing cases of human rights violations. Baraybar thus proposed increased coordination among government and non-government institutions, as well as improved efforts at “forensic jurisprudence" to orient government-initiated investigations towards gathering material evidence. Socio-econ rights for the poor In his speech, special guest speaker and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno meanwhile challenged the judiciary to further promote the protection of the people’s socio-economic rights, such as education, health service, housing and other basic services. “The Supreme Court should now make bigger moves to improve the human rights situation in the country (through the) protection of the socio-economic rights of marginalized people," Puno said. He added courts should wield its “quasi-legislative powers" for good, particularly in promoting respect for and protection of human rights. Puno referred to recent promulgation by the High Court, including the writs of amparo, habeas data and mandamus, now frequently invoked in cases involving human rights violations. De Lima, on the other hand, expressed hopes that the end of the current administration will also see an end to almost a decade of wanton human rights violations. “Statute alone does not deliver true protection. The exit of the current administration brings to an end nine years of tepid enforcement, rabid violation and dismal disregard for human rights protection in the country," said de Lima in her keynote address. She further said the signs appear “promising" so far under the incoming administration of President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III. The forum is the 14th in the series hosted by the Australian Embassy to facilitate policy dialogue on issues of importance to Australiaand the Philippines and the region. A special session was likewise held delving into the state of press freedom in the country, in light of recent events such as the massacre in Maguindanao, where at least 33 journalists died in a politically motivated crime; the shelving of the Freedom of Information act set to give the public access to government transactions; and the continuing use of criminal libel by influential people to harass journalists. - RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV