- Category: The Voice
The year 2012 ended with the enactment of Republic Act 10353 or the Philippine Anti- Enforced Disappearance Act of 2012. It was followed by the promulgation of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on 12 February 2013. The law signifies a moral victory for the families of the disappeared in the Philippines who, amidst many constraints, persistently campaigned for an antidisappearance law until their twilight years, and for some, till the very end of their lives. Giving cognizance to the invaluable contribution of the authors, families of the disappeared profoundly value the law as a major form of justice. A recognition of the cruelty of this state-perpetrated crime, it gives prime importance to the desaparecidos; recognizes their sacrifices and the sufferings of their loved ones; seeks truth, justice, rehabilitation, reparation and non-recurrence.
For this, the AFAD salutes the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) for the grand success of its campaign - making the Philippines the first in Asia to have an anti-enforced disappearance law. Such exemplary work may not exactly be replicated in other countries, but its very process is an experience that could serve as a guide for all those who struggle to erase enforced disappearance from the face of the earth.
- Category: The Voice
Amidst the Continuing Struggle for a World without Desaparecidos, Hope Springs Eternal
Justice for all desaparecidos!
The struggle for truth and justice of victims and survivors of enforced disappearances has been waged for decades. In individual cases, it started when a person was made to disappear, but rarely ended even when the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared have been clarified. In many situations, the struggle continues beyond the clarification of the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared persons. The victims, as exemplified by those in Latin America, Africa, Europe and particularly in our region Asia, forge on with the struggle for justice, reparation, memory and guarantees for non-recurrence.
- Category: The Voice
Welcoming the Entry into Force of the Convention For the Protection of All Persons From Enforced Disappearances
On behalf of the AFAD, we wish you a happy new year 2011! Let us make this year a fruitful year for respect of human rights and the attainment of justice and peace.
Last year has been a successful year for the struggle against enforced disappearance. The International Convention entered into force on 23 December 2010. At the time of this treaty’s entry into force, it had 88 signatories and 21 ratifications.
- Category: The Voice
Welcoming the Entry into Force of the Convention
Eighteen States have ratified the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (hereinafter referred to as The Convention). Of these eighteen States, only 5 have recognized the competence of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED). Of the parties, only two are Asian, namely Japan and Kazakhstan. It signifies more work for the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) and the rest of the international movement against enforced disappearances not only to achieve the minimum number of 20 ratifications for the entry into force, but also to have more States recognize the competence of the CED and to put more Asian States on board.
- Category: The Voice
Solidarity for Truth and Justice
The struggle for truth and justice always demands patience and persistence. Truth and Justice need to be reclaimed from those who stole them from us. Always, there is antagonism between the fighters, represented by victims of human rights violations and the thieves represented by state perpetrators. The success or failure of the struggle for truth and justice depends on the dynamics of these opposing forces in a given socio-political and economic context.