Throughout the years, Balay has cultivated a strong partnership with the Commission on Human Rights in the promotion and protection of rights of persons deprived of liberty. We call to mind how, for instance, Balay and other civil society organizations under the  United against Torture Coalition (UATC) have worked with the  CHR in creating the  momentum towards the passage of the Anti-Torture Law in 2009 which, among others, prohibited torture and ill treatment of  persons under the custody of  persons in authority.

Bachelet highlights major human rights situations around the world in address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

“Inequalities stir grievances and unrest; fuel hatred, violence, and threats to peace; and force people to leave their homes and countries. Inequalities undermine social progress, and economic and political stability. But human rights build hope. They bind humanity together with shared principles and a better future, in sharp contrast to the divisive, destructive forces of repression, exploitation, scapegoating, discrimination – and inequalities,”

The ardent moves in Congress to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 9 years old reflects the weakness, if not utter lack, of rehabilitation programs in the country.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law was crafted  by the Bangamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by and between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on 27 March 2014.  It was a product of 17-years of tortuous negotiations between the two parties, and has undergone a series of consultations among parties in conflict.