SC revives human rights panel

The Supreme Court (SC) has reactivated a committee that is focused on human rights issues.

Human rights concerns raised by several organizations, including leftist groups, were recently forwarded to the committee, which is reportedly headed by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

In a notice, the SC en banc referred to the committee the letter urging the justices “to undertake measures to address the worsening state of human rights in the country.”

“We welcome the referral by the high court. Some of the issues raised in the letter have been addressed through the new rules on the issuance and service of search and arrest warrants,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes.

“Other issues such as systematic red-tagging and the filing of trumped-up charges in remote towns, and the need to strengthen protective writs, still need to be substantially addressed.”

The Court, under then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, created a technical working group on human rights in 2016.

The SC is currently evaluating reports submitted by various groups regarding the attacks on members of the legal profession.

The justices earlier said the information provided would help the Court decide on the next courses of action, including the amendment of the relevant rules, or if necessary, the creation of new ones.—AOL, GMA News