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Pinay doctor from UP nominated to United Nations torture committee


A Filipina doctor — Dr. June Caridad Pagaduan-Lopez — has been nominated to the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) for 2012. Lopez is a professor at the Department of Psychiatry of the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines in Manila. She is also one of the founding members of the Medical Action Group (MAG), a non-stock, non-profit organization of physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, health students, and health workers  Lopez, a graduate of UP Manila, has 30 years experience as an undergraduate and postgraduate educator in medical school and public health school. She has taught in the fields of psychiatry, organizational development, occupational and mental health. In a news release on Wednesday, the MAG said, “We are convinced that Dr. Lopez will make an immediate positive contribution to the mandate and function of the SPT." "She was selected as the nominee of the Philippines to the SPT in view of her outstanding commitment and achievements in linking her profession as a psychiatrist to the promotion and defense of human rights particularly the prevention of torture and the rehabilitation of torture victims in the country,” the MAG added. “Dr. Lopez shows an excellent knowledge and utmost dedication to go beyond the usual role of a psychiatric expert, demonstrating a commitment to help the torture survivors and their families in seeking redress.” MAG said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Philippine Mission to the United Nations submitted Lopez's nomination through a letter on August 10.   
Some of the awards Lopez received in the past included:
  • Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) in 1989;
  • Outstanding Achievement Award by the International Council for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IRCT) in 2010, and
  • One of the 39 recipients of the Most Distinguished Alumnus award  by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) in 2011.
Convention against torture
The Philippines became the 63rd State Party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) on April 17 this year. According to MAG, the Philippines’ accession to the OPCAT means that the country, as a State Party, is now eligible to submit a candidate for the SPT.  
 
The SPT's mandate includes an innovative and proactive approach to the prevention of torture and ill treatment of human beings. The SPT began its work in February 2007 with 10 members and expanded to 25 members in January last year.
 
The election of 12 members of the SPT will be held on October 25 this year at the United Nations Office at Geneva. - GMA News
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