The Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) is an institution in the autonomous region that promotes, protects, upholds and fulfills human rights of the Bangsamoro The independent human rights institution in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Philippines. Email us at: rhrcarmm@gmail.comor check out the following sites: http://twitter.com/ARMMRHRChttp://www.youtube.com/user/ARMMRHRC Long DescriptionThe Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) is the sole regional human rights state agency in the ARMM, created by virtue ofSection 16 of Republic Act No. 9054 (2001) and operationalized by the ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of 2012 (Muslim Mindanao Act No. 288). The establishment of the RHRC affirms the Bangsamoro's right to promote human rights and to prevent and address human rights violations.

The RHRC is an independent office that has the same powers and mandate as the national Commission on Human Rights. It has primary and original jurisdiction to investigate, on complaint or on its own initiative, cases of human rights violations within the Autonomous Region, to include civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. MissionThe mission of RHRC, as an independent institution imbued with probity and competence, is to promote, protect, uphold, and fulfill human rights in the Bangsamoro by empowering communities for the progressive realization of their rights and ensure that those responsible comply with human rights standards towards transformative justice, peace, and development.

What are Human Rights?Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law , general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups. source: www.ohchr.orgWhat are human rights?Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law , general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.Universal and inalienableThe principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law. This principle, as first emphasized in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, has been reiterated in numerous international human rights conventions, declarations, and resolutions. The 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, for example, noted that it is the duty of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems.All States have ratified at least one, and 80% of States have ratified four or more, of the core human rights treaties, reflecting consent of States which creates legal obligations for them and giving concrete expression to universality. Some fundamental human rights norms enjoy universal protection by customary international law across all boundaries and civilizations.Human rights are inalienable. They should not be taken away, except in specific situations and according to due process. For example, the right to liberty may be restricted if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law.Interdependent and indivisibleAll human rights are indivisible, whether they are civil and political rights, such as the right to life, equality before the law and freedom of expression; economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to work, social security and education , or collective rights, such as the rights to development and self-determination, are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. The improvement of one right facilitates advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right adversely affects the others.Equal and non-discriminatoryNon-discrimination is a cross-cutting principle in international human rights law. The principle is present in all the major human rights treaties and provides the central theme of some of international human rights conventions such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.The principle applies to everyone in relation to all human rights and freedoms and it prohibits discrimination on the basis of a list of non-exhaustive categories such as sex, race, colour and so on. The principle of non-discrimination is complemented by the principle of equality, as stated in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.Both Rights and ObligationsHuman rights entail both rights and obligations. States assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfil human rights. The obligation to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights. The obligation to protect requires States to protect individuals and groups against human rights abuses. The obligation to fulfil means that States must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. At the individual level, while we are entitled our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others.

Related liksUniversal Declaration of Human RightsHuman Face for Human RightsHuman Rights DayList of Human Rights issuesHuman Rights in the WorldInternational Human Rights Law

List of Human Rights Issues

Adequate HousingSpecial Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this contextToolkit on the right to adequate housingAdministration of JusticeExpert Consultation on the Administration of JusticeBusiness and Human RightsBusiness and Human RightsWorking Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprisesChildrenCommittee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)OHCHR Thematic reports on childrenSpecial Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornographyUnited Nations Study on Violence against ChildrenCivil and Political RightsHuman Rights Committee (HRC)Climate changeHuman Rights and climate ChangeRio+20 - United Nations Conference on Sustainable DevelopmentCoercive measuresSpecial Rapporteur on unilateralcoercive measuresUnilateral coercive measures and human rightsCultural rightsSpecial Rapporteur in the field of cultural rightsDeath penaltyDeath penaltyDemocracyEqual participation in political and public affairsRule of Law - Democracy and Human RightsDetentionWorking Group on Arbitrary DetentionDevelopment (Good Governance and Debt)Development - Good governanceHuman rights and the financial crisisIndependent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rightsOpen-ended working group on the right to developmentRight to developmentDisability and Human RightsHuman Rights of persons with disabilitiesSpecial Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilitiesDisappearancesCommittee on Enforced Disappearances (CED)Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary DisappearancesDiscriminationA special focus on discriminationEconomic, Social and Cultural RightsCommittee on Economic, Social and Cultural RightsEconomic, Social and Cultural Rights Portal (ESCR)Open-ended Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural RightsEducationHuman rights education and trainingSpecial Rapporteur on the right to educationEnvironmentHuman Rights and the EnvironmentRio+20 - United Nations Conference on Sustainable DevelopmentSpecial Rapporteur on human rights and the environmentSpecial Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastesExecutionsSpecial Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executionsFoodSpecial Rapporteur on the right to foodToolkit on the Right to FoodFreedom of Opinion and ExpressionFreedom of expression and advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violenceSpecial Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expressionFreedom of peaceful assembly and of associationOHCHR Seminar on effective measures and best practices to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protestsSpecial Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of associationFreedom of Religion and BeliefSpecial Rapporteur on freedom of religion or beliefHealthConsultation on Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family membersSpecial Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental healthToolkit on the Right to HealthHIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS and Human RightsHuman Rights DefendersSpecial Rapporteur on Human Rights DefendersHuman rights education and trainingHuman rights education and trainingUnited Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and TrainingWorld Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing)Human Rights IndicatorsHuman Rights IndicatorsIndependence of JudiciarySpecial Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and LawyersIndigenous PeoplesExpert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesFellowship programmeMain page IndigenousOpen-ended inter-sessional Working Group on the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoplesSpecial Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoplesUnited Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous PeoplesWorking group on indigenous populationsInternal DisplacementSpecial Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced PersonsInternational OrderIndependent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international orderInternational SolidarityIndependent expert on human rights and international solidarityMercenariesSpecial Rapporteur on use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determinationWorking Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determinationMigrationCommittee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW)Migration and Human RightsSpecial Rapporteur on the human rights of migrantsMillenium Development Goals and Human RightsThe Millennium Development Goals and Post-2015 Development AgendaMinoritiesFellowship programmeMain page MinoritiesSpecial Rapporteur on minority issuesNationalityRight to a Nationality and StatelessnessOlder personsIndependent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older personsOlder personsPlans of Action for the Promotion and Protection of Human RightsNational Plans of Action for the Promotion and Protection of Human RightsPovertyHuman rights dimension of povertySpecial Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rightsThe draft guiding principles on extreme poverty and human rights: the rights of the poorPrivacyRight to Privacy in the Digital AgeRacismAd-Hoc Committee on the elaboration of complementary standardsCommittee on the Elimination of Racial DiscriminationDurban Review Conference (2009)Fellowship Programme for People of African DescentGroup of Independent Eminent ExpertsIntergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of ActionInternational Decade for People of African DescentSpecial Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racismWorking Group of Experts on People of African DescentWorld Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Durban (2001)Rule of LawRule of LawSexual orientation and gender identityDiscrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identitySituationsWorking Group on SituationsSlaverySpecial Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of slaveryVoluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of SlaveryWorking Group on Contemporary Forms of SlaveryTerrorismIndependent expert on Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorismSpecial Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorismTortureCommittee against Torture (CAT)Special Rapporteur on tortureSubcommittee on Prevention of TortureUnited Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of TortureTrade and InvestmentBusiness and human rightsTrade and investmentTraditional valuesHuman rights and traditional valuesTrafficking in PersonsSpecial Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and childrenTransitional JusticeSpecial Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrenceWater and sanitationSpecial Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitationToolkit on the Right to Water and SanitationWomenCommittee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequencesWomen's Rights and Gender main pageWorking Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practiceYouthHuman rights of youth

RLA Bill No. 09Republic of the PhilippinesAutonomous Region in Muslim MindanaoREGIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLYCotabato CityEVENTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLYFirst Regular Session[ MUSLIM MINDANAO AUTONOMY ACT NO. 288]Begun andheld in Cotabato City, on Monday, the fourteenth day of May 2012.

AN ACT OPERATIONALIZING SECTION SIXTEEN ARTICLE THREEOF REPUBLIC ACT 9054, ESTABLISHING A CHARTER FORTHEHUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION INTHEAUTONOMOUSREGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, PROVIDING GUIDELINESFOR ITS OPERATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Regional Assembly in session assembled: Section 1.Title.-This Act shallbeknown as the "ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of2012.Sec.2.StateandARMMRegionalGovernmentPolicyandPrinciplesonHumanRights.-It isthe declaredpolicy of theState and theAutonomous Region inMuslim Mindanaoto value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights. The State and the ARMM shall give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity. For purposes of this Act, the following international and national human and recognized bythe State shall serve as directional indicators in the interpretation and implementation of this Act:1.Article IIIofthe Constitution;2.Republic Act.No. 9054, otherwise known asAn Act Providing fortheAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao;3.Republic Act No.9745, otherwise known asthe Anti-Torture Actof 2009;4.Republic Act No. 9851, also known as the "Philippine Act On Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity";5.UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights(1948

I.THEREGIONALHUMANRIGHTSCOMMISSIONA. Nature of the Regional Commission Sec.3.TheRegionalCommissionasan IndependentOffice.TheRegionalHumanRightsCommissionisanindependentregionalofficewithintheAutonomousRegionthatshallhave the same powers and mandates as the national Commission on Human Rights (CHR). It shallnotbe subjectto instructionsor ordersfrom thePresident,Congress, Judiciary, ARMM RegionalGovernoror Regional LegislativeAssembly, exceptincases providedinthe Constitution and RA9054with regard to the appointment of its Chairperson and Members ,national and autonomous region legislation affecting the exercise of its powers and functions ,and judicial review of the legality of its acts, orders,resolutions or decisions. Sec.4. The Regional Commission as the Regional Human Rights Institution within the ARMM.The Regional Commission, duly created byRA 9054,is the regional human rights institution withinthe Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) and otherUnited Nations' Resolutions pertaining to the effective functioning of national human rights institutions. The Regional Commissions hall have a mutual, coordinative, and complementary relationship with the national CHR in theperformance of its mandates and obligations. It shall coordinate its programs and policies with the national CHR and the Office of the Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region. Sec. 5.Automaticreleaseoffunds. The Regional Commissionshall enjoyfull fiscal autonomy within the ARMM. The approved annual appropriations ofthe Regional Commission within the General Appropriations Act of the ARMM shall be automatically and regularly released.

II. POWERS AND FUNCTIONSA. General Powers and FunctionsSec. 11. GeneralPowersandFunctionsoftheRegionalCommission.-TheRegionalHumanRightsCommissionshall have the following general powers and functions:

Page5MMA 2881.Investigate, on its own or on complaint byany party, all forms of human rights violations committed within the Autonomous Region;2.Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for direct and indirect contempt those in violation thereof or of its lawful orders in accordance with the Rules ofCourt;3.Provide appropriate legal and preventive measures for the protection of human rights ofall persons within the Autonomous Region, as well as Autonomous Region constituents residing abroad;4.Provide legal aid servicesto the underprivileged residentsof the AutonomousRegion whose human rights have been violated or need protection;5.Exercise unhampered and unrestrained visitorial powers at any timeover jails, prisons, detention facilities, located within the Autonomous Region, and it shall have unrestricted access to any detention facility inside military camps, police lock-up cells, jails, prisons ,youth homes, and any detention, rehabilitation, confinement and other similar facilitiespursuant to R.A. No. 9745, otherwise known as the Anti-Torture Act of 2009;6.Establish a continuing program of research, education and information to enhance respectfor the primacy of human rights;7.Recommend to the Regional Assembly and to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, ortheir families;8.Monitor the Philippine and ARMM Regional Governments compliance with international treaty obligations onhuman rights;9.Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or possession ofdocuments or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under itsauthority;10.Requestthe assistance ofany department, bureau,office oragency within the Autonomous Region in theperformance ofits functions;11.Deputize government prosecutors or private lawyers within the Autonomous Region ,who shallbe under thedirect controland supervision ofthe Regional Commission,forthe prosecution ofhuman rights cases, including cases of torture and other cruel,inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment under R.A. 9745;

Page 6MMA 28812.Accredit national non-governmentand peoples' organizations involved in human rightspromotion,protection andadvocacy,includingforpurposesofvisiting personsarrested ,detained or under custodial investigation;

13.Ensure that the status, rights and interests of women and children are upheld in accordance with the Constitution, laws and international instruments on humanrights;

14.Create, establish, organize, restructure,compressand otherwise manage ,such offices and centersthe Regional Commission deemsnecessary, fit andappropriatefor the effective fulfillmentof itsmandate, includinga sub-regional office ,provincial offices and centers for specific thematic matters;

15.Empowered to file Writ of Amparo and Mandamus;

16.Appoint its officers and employeesin accordance with law;and

17.Perform such other powers, duties andfunctions as may be provided by law.B.

InvestigationSec.12.InvestigativePowersandFunctions.TheRegionalCommissionshallexerciseprimaryandoriginaljurisdictiontoinvestigate,oncomplaintormotuproprio,casesofhuman rights violations within the Autonomous Regionto include civil, political, economic, social andcultural rights. In the exercise of its investigative function, the Commission shall have thefollowing powers:

1.Act promptly on complaints filed in any formor manner by any person, whetherdirectly affected or not, and on a finding of human rights violation, recommend the filingof appropriateadministrative, civil and/orcriminal action.Any investigationbeingconducted by any other body shall notbe a barto the investigation ofthe Commission;

2.Compelthe attendance of witnesses and the production ofevidence, to place thewitnesses under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas and take testimony in anyinvestigation or inquiry;

3.Issueordersand directivesconstituting preventiveand legalmeasures, provided forundersections 14 and 15respectively;

4.Provide protection and financial assistance to witnesses to ensure their attendance ininvestigations and production of evidence

D. Education and AdvocacySec.24.EducationandAdvocacyinGovernment.TheRegionalCommissionshallundertake a program of human rights promotion and advocacy through education and training toenhance respect for the primacy of human rights in coordination with the different agencies ofthe government. It shall likewise administer a mandatory and continuing human rights educationprogramforthemilitary,policeandotherlawenforcementagencies,aswellaspublicschoolteachers,within the Autonomous Region,and shall, for this purpose, draw up the components ofthe program, accredit course and training providers, and issue certificates of completion to thosewho have successfully completed the program.Sec. 25. Education and Advocacy in Civil Societyin the Autonomous Region.TheRegionalCommission shall alsoundertake a human rights education, advocacy, andinformationcampaign programs among sectors of civil societywithin theAutonomous Region, particularlythe vulnerable, marginalized and underprivileged groups. In conducting this program, theCommission shall actively cooperate and coordinate with human rights non-governmentorganizations, lawyers groups, the academe and peoples organizations of the concerned sectorsof civil societywithin the Autonomous Region.Sec.26. Research.TheRegionalCommissionshallundertakea continuing researchandstudy on selecthuman rights issueswithin the Autonomous Regionforpurposes ofrecommending policy reforms, as well as administrative and legislative measures that will alsoaddress economic, social and cultural rightsSec.27.CoverageofPrograms.TheRegionalCommissionshallprescribethescopeand coverage ofeducation, advocacy, informationand trainingprograms on humanrights, andwhich will be provided for in the implementing rules and regulations of thisAct.E. Other Powers and FunctionsSec. 28.Witness Protection Program.In the conduct ofits investigations, theRegionalCommission shallcoordinate with the Departmentof Justiceand nationalCHRin theprovisionofwitnessprotectionprogramtovictimsofhumanrights violations and their witnesses,

Page13MMA 288including the provision of security, shelter, relocation and livelihood assistance to witnesses andtheir families.Sec. 29.FinancialAssistance Program.TheRegionalCommission shall enhance itsfinancial assistance program tovictims ofhuman rights violations andtheir families.The additionalfunding for the Financial AssistancePrograms shall beallocated forsuchpurposesandshallbeincludedthereafterintheannualregularappropriationsfortheRegionalCommissionand theARMMRegional Government, and the same shall be automatically andregularly released.Sec. 30. Legal Assistance Program.TheRegionalCommission shall implement a legalassistance program to benefit victims of human rights violations consisting of the provision oflegal services in coordination with human rights organizations and lawyers groups, theIntegrated Bar ofthe Philippines and Philippinelaw schools withlegal aid programs,within theAutonomous Region.Upon its discretion, theRegionalCommission may also provide allowances andincentives to private lawyers or lawyers' groups who would render their professional services onbehalfoftheRegionalCommissioninanycourtproceedinginvolvingthelitigationofhumanrights cases\].Sec. 31. Protection ofARMMOFWsand Migrants.TheRegionalCommission shallundertake measures for the protection and promotion of human rights ofARMM OverseasFilipino Workers andmigrants. It may assign organic personnel toact asHuman Rights Attachesin PhilippineEmbassies orconsulates ordeputize PhilippineEmbassy orConsulate officers,resident private individuals of known probity and active involvement in human rights work, orforeign-based human rights and migrant workers non-government organizations in countrieswhere the incidence of human rights violations ofARMM OFWs and migrantsis widespread andcommonplace, includingtraditionalhost countriesofOFWs.The assigned personnel acting as Human Rights Attache or deputized individuals of theRegionalCommission shall monitor the status of human rights ofARMM OFWs and migrantsliving abroad and establish networks among Filipinos for purposes of monitoring and reportingcases of human rightsviolations,as well as for providing counseling and financial assistance tovictims. They shall immediately notify the concerned Embassy officials of incidents of humanright violations ofARMM OFWs and migrantsand provide immediate assistance to victims.