UN offers assistance to ensure anti-terrorism law complies with human rights laws — DOJ

The United Nations has offered to provide technical assistance to ensure the country’s anti-terrorism law complies with human rights laws, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
Guevarra expressed his gratitude towards the UN at the Philippine Human Rights Summit on Monday (December 7).
“We take this opportunity to thank the United Nations — through the UN Resident Coordinator — for their offer of technical assistance in the undertaking to ensure that the anti-terrorism rules conform to the fundamental tenets of human rights laws,” he said.
However, the DOJ official clarified this does not mean that the anti-terrorism law needs any amendment, saying the UN only wants the country to see best practices of human rights from countries around the world.
He also said that the DOJ’s Human Rights Summit will discuss the human rights guarantees under the anti-terrorism law through its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
“These safeguards, among other measures, have been included in the implementing rules to ensure that the anti-terrorism law serves its purpose without invading the cherished rights and prerogatives of a people under a functioning democracy,” according to Guevarra.
The summit will be attended by various government agencies, Human Rights Affairs Office, the Philippine National Police, and the UN. AAC (with reports from Dante Amento)