De Lima files bill seeking protection for refugees

Detained Senator Leila De Lima has filed a bill which seeks to promote and protect the rights of refugees and stateless persons in the country.

According to a news release on Sunday, De Lima filed Senate Bill No. 1854 or the "Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Act of 2018," saying that the Philippine government still lacks a law that would establish a central authority for refugees and stateless persons and "institutionalize the status determination procedure" for them.

“Refugees are a global phenomenon. In different parts of the world, large groups of people are forced to leave their home countries because of war, armed conflicts, and persecution. They are in search of safer places,” De Lima said.

Under the proposed measure, a Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Board would be tasked to determine the status of refugees and stateless persons and their eligibility for protection.

The board would work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other relevant institutions and agencies.

"The Protection Board may seek the CHR and the UNHCR for their expertise, technical guidance and assistance. It shall inform the CHR and the UNHCR about relevant policies and programs pursued by the Philippine Government toward ensuring the implementation and compliance with the UN Conventions and the provisions of this Act,” De Lima said.

Data from the UNHCR showed that there were around 65.6 million people around the world who have been forcibly displaced in 2017. Of this number, nearly 22.5 million were refugees.

De Lima said the Philippines has always been a "safe haven" for refugees throughout the history: "In all instances, we have always provided them safe haven, ever true to our nature as a warm and hospital people."

She cited instances when the country hosted White Russians who fled Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution; Jews during the World War II; Chinese in the aftermath of the Communist revolution; and Vietnamese “boat people” after South Vietnam was taken over by North Vietnam.

In December 2017, De Lima supported a draft resolution that was submitted to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which expressed serious concerns over the humanitarian crisis affecting Rohingya people in Myanmar. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News