Peace and order with respect to human rights, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto stressed this during the strategic planning workshop of the Multi-Sectoral Quick Reaction Team on Extra-Legal Killings (ELKs) and Enforced Disappearances (EDs).
The governor moved for the establishment of the MSQRT under the Local Peace Forum on Thursday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Taloto. The voluntary body led by Bishop Leonardo Medroso and Gov. Chatto and composed of ecumenical groups, local government unit representatives, lawyers from Bohol law schools, non-government workers, security forces, government agencies, representatives of the court and the media was formally established through unanimous decision. Part of the specific plan of action in this regard is the issuance of an executive order re-organizing the Local Peace Forum to integrate the MSQRT and its subsequent launching in February.
The juridical, voluntary body is a manifestation of the sensitivity of the people, particularly of the Boholanos to current issues specific to human rights, said Bishop Medroso.
The body identified strategic directions and specific activities geared towards finding out whether or not ELKs and EDs are indeed happening in the province and setting up of preventive mechanisms.
Aside from the establishment of the the MSQRT, the group pointed out capability building, Information Education Communication on human rights, institutional development, and strengthening of the pillars of justice as important strategies towards this end.
Specific plans of action include the Barangay Human Rights Action Center to train barangay stakeholders, law enforcement agencies trainings on preservation of evidence and trainings on human rights, lectures on livelihood, as well as values fora, information drives, and sectoral orientations. The group also intends to come up with a Human Rights module and to hold a Human Rights Congress in time for International Human Rights Day in December.
The establishment of the MSQRT came about following a road show on ELKs and EDs by The Asia Foundation and the Ateneo Human Rights Center. (Leah/EDCom)
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