Gen. Palparan’s Continued Freedom Makes Anti-Torture Law Meaningless – GWP Rep. Emmi De Jesus

“Gabriela Women’s Party stands in solidarity with the families of the victims of torture and other human rights violations. We will continue fighting for the day when torture is rooted out from institutions like the police and military,” said GWP Rep. Emmi De Jesus on today’s commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

“When RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Law was passed in November 2009, then CHR Commissioner Leila De Lima declared it as no less than a ‘historic moment for human rights in the Philippines.’ The law is clear on the accountability of the perpetrator(s) when torture indeed takes place. Yet today, almost three years hence, this piece of legislation continues to gather dust in the halls of justice as not one torturer has been put behind bars," the Gabriela solon pointed out.

Last month, the US State Department stated in a report that ‘impunity in the area of human rights violations persists under the Aquino administration,’ Allegations of prisoner/detainee torture and abuse by Aquino’s state security forces were mentioned in the same report.

“As long as perpetrators of grave and heinous crimes such as ex-President Arroyo’s favored General Palparan remain free from arrest and prosecution, the Anti-Torture Law is meaningless. President Aquino’s administration must be made accountable for failing to exercise the fullest extent of the power entrusted to it by the people to arrest and jail one such accused torturer of victims like Cadapan, Empeño and others,” added Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus.

“As our collective voices gather volume, we seek justice for all victims of the continuing state violence and torture under the Aquino administration’s Oplan Bayanihan,” ended De Jesus.###