This Memorandum of Agreement made this 7th day of September, 2006 in Cotabato City, Philippines, by and between

    The COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (CHRP), an independent constitutional body, represented herein by Honorable Dominador N. Calamba II in his capacity as the Commissioner, hereinafter referred to as CHR;

and

    The Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, a non-government organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with principal office at Hadji Daud Bldg., Campo Muslim, Cotabato City, represented herein by Abhoud Syed M. Lingga in his capacity as the Executive Director, hereinafter referred to as IBS;

WITNESSETH THAT:

    WHEREAS, Article II, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights;

    WHEREAS, under Article XIII, Section 18, the Commission on Human Rights, as one of its powers and functions, shall:

“Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights.”

    WHEREAS, the Commission on Human Rights desires to establish partnership with the government and non-government entities to reach out all Filipinos and residents in the country;

    WHEREAS, to be able to mainstream human rights in the sphere of the development in the country, the Commission on Human Rights needs the participation and involvement of the government and non-government sectors or state and non-state actors through a strong linkage and partnership development;

    WHEREAS, among human rights program, human rights education is mandated to all educational institutions, state colleges and universities;

    WHEREAS, the Philippines as a member of the United Nations is expected to promote the protection and fulfillment of human rights primarily through human rights education;

   
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WHEREAS, the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004) expects the participation and contribution of the Philippines in human rights education;

    WHEREAS, the Philippines also implements a Philippine Human Rights Education until year 2008;

    WHEREAS, the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS) is mandated to educate the Bangsamoro people through informal education, trainings as well as human rights education all over Mindanao where most Bangsamoro people live;

    WHEREAS, the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies and the Commission on Human Rights in Region XII have been jointly conducting human rights education not only to the Bangsamoro people but to the indigenous peoples of Mindanao since the year 2000 and have gone far in the promotion and advocacy of human rights;

    WHEREAS, the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies and other non-governmental organizations have also been engaged in human rights promotion since the year 2000 with a need to document and assess the extent of accomplishments made by both the government and the non-government organizations, synchronize, consolidate and step up all efforts towards a more accelerated, meaningful and effective human rights education in the region and part of the ARMM;

    WHEREAS, there is a need to sustain efforts made by the above-mentioned organizations/agencies and others involved in the human rights education;

    WHEREAS, the Commission on Human Rights and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies necessitate to join hands in valuing the extent of accomplishments made by the GOs and NGOs in order to come up with a regional vision of and program of action for the continuance and sustainability of the human rights education in the years to come;

    WHEREAS, an Inter-Agency HRE Task Force is hereby created and constituted by the herein parties: CHR XII and IBS;

    WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency HRE Task Force shall be responsible in ensuring that all the agreements stated herein would be at least satisfactorily complied and that each member of the Task Force shall be authorized to act for and in behalf of his/her respective agency. All decisions of the Task Force shall be subject to the review and/or approval of the respective heads of the herein parties.

    NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, the herein parties mutually agreed to the terms and conditions and objectives stated hereunder:
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1.    To jointly undertake a Region wide GO-NGO Consultative Workshop with the end in view of producing a Long Term Regional Plan of Action on Human Rights Education, inclusive of a regional vision on human rights in the Philippines;

2.    To jointly implement and/or cause the implementation of the Long Term Regional Plan of Action on Human Rights Education as may be formulated through a series of provincial consultations or regional public hearings, and the monitoring and evaluation hereof;

3.    To jointly undertake the publication and production of documentaries on human rights education in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan and other human rights education materials;

4.    To jointly undertake the monitoring, documentation and publication of human rights violations in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan;

THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS – Region XII

1.    To coordinate closely with IBS as valued Partner for the implementation of HRE program.

2.    To conduct a continuing HRE education, trainings and capability building.

3.    Provide free consultancy services to IBS as valued Partner on matters of human rights education and RBA application within its jurisdiction.

4.    Provide human rights materials and technical assistance in improving the resources and services for the implementation of the program.

5.    Accept referrals from the IBS concerning legal problems of its clienteles in extension services related to human rights.

6.    To disseminate human rights information and invitation to the government sectors in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.

7.    To document and consolidate the accomplishments of both the government and non-government organizations in HRE program.

THE INSTITUTE OF BANGSAMORO STUDIES (IBS)

1.    To conduct human rights monitoring and documentation during and after armed conflicts in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, and submit report to the CHR Regional Office concerned.


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2.    To provide support and undertake coordination with the CHR during actual visitation of detention facilities and/or legal assistance if necessary to the person detained at any BJMP prisons or jails, military detention cells, Police Stations or CIDG detention cells in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan in order to determine whether or not human rights violations are committed.

3.    To disseminate human rights information and invitations to non-government organizations.

4.    To document and consolidate the accomplishments of non-government organizations in the human rights education and promotion.

5.    To conduct human rights education, training and information dissemination in Mindanao, Sulu and Palwan.

6.    To conduct information campaigns on HRE with the non-government organizations in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.

7.    To wear IDs jointly signed by the Executive Director of the IBS, the Regional Director of CHRXII, and other participating head of agencies, while in the performance of duty.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands this 7th day of September, 2006 at Cotabato City, Philippines.
 
 
BY AUTHORITY OF THE
COMMISSION:
   

 

 

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:

 

 

(Signed) ROSALINDA A. TOLOSA

(Signed) PARIDO R. PIGKAULAN