Spirits were high despite the rainy weather last 24 June 2011 during the launching of the information material “Community-based Dialogue Sessions on Human Rights Promotion and Protection between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities” at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Theatre in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo. The information material serves as an initial report on the first two-and-a-half years’ work of the partners of the Human Rights Dialogues Project with the same name.

The Human Rights Dialogues Project is a joint undertaking of the AFP Human Rights Office (AFP-HRO) and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations (AFP OJ7), PNP Human Rights Affairs Office (PNP-HRAO), Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), Alternative Law Groups (ALG) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany (HSF).  The value of respect for human rights resounded in the air as the information material was introduced and copies were distributed to the attending key representatives of the partner organisations, other government agencies, as well as those of local and international non-government organisations and members of civil society.

In conjunction with the launching, a special screening of “KINSE… The ANC Human Rights Film Series” was held at the AFP Theatre. The screening of selected independent films by ten Filipino filmmakers was made possible by the joint support of the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), together with the proponents of the Human Rights Dialogues Project.

Beyond illustrating various situations where human rights may easily and, perhaps sometimes unwittingly, be violated, the screening underlined the major challenges facing human rights practitioners and advocates in their efforts towards contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Among those who graced the event were: Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Chief of PNP Directorial Staff; Police Chief Superintendent Clarence V. Guinto, Chief of the PNP-HRAO; Chairperson Loretta Ann. P. Rosales, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines; His Excellency Ambassador Robert G. Brinks of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in the Philippines; Atty. Jose Maria Mendoza, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation; Atty. Marlon J. Manuel, Coordinator of the Alternative Law Groups; and, Mr. Paul G. Schaefer, Resident Representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany.

Download Kinse Handout

Download Community-Based Human Rights Dialogues Information Material