To know about human rights, please watch the video first.
Human rights are privileges that we have by virtue of being human; no state has the authority to bestow them. No matter our nationality, sex, ethnicity, race, color, religion, nationality, or any other status, we are all endowed with these universal rights. The most fundamental of them is the right to life, followed by those that make life worthwhile, including the rights to food, education, employment, health, and liberty.
Republic Act No. 10368, also known as the "Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013," is a law in the Philippines that was signed by former President Benigno Aquino III on February 25, 2013. This law seeks to provide compensation and recognition to victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime from September 21, 1972, to February 25, 1986.
The Marcos regime was known for its brutal repression of political dissenters, activists, and ordinary citizens who were perceived to be a threat to the government's rule. During the dictatorship, thousands of Filipinos were subjected to torture, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, and other forms of human rights violations. Many of these victims were never able to seek justice, and their stories remained untold for decades. The people of the Philippines conducted the EDSA Revolution to kick the former president, Ferdinand Marcos, from his place in the government.
Image of the EDSA Revolution that happened to end the Marcos regime
The Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 aims to address this injustice by providing reparations and recognition to the victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime. The law provides for a Human Rights Victims' Claims Board, which is tasked with determining the eligibility of claimants and awarding reparations to those who suffered human rights violations during the dictatorship.
Under the law, eligible claimants may receive compensation ranging from PHP 10,000 to PHP 1,000,000, depending on the severity of the human rights violation suffered. The law also provides for a "Recognition and Honor" section, which seeks to acknowledge the sacrifices and heroism of those who fought against the Marcos dictatorship.
The law was met with mixed reactions when it was first enacted. Supporters of the law saw it as a significant step towards healing the wounds of the past and acknowledging the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy during the Marcos regime. However, critics argued that the law was flawed and inadequate, and that it failed to address the root causes of the human rights violations that occurred during the dictatorship.
Despite these criticisms, the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 remains a landmark law in the Philippines. It represents a significant effort by the government to address the injustices of the past and to recognize the bravery of those who fought for democracy during one of the darkest periods in Philippine history. Through this law, the government seeks to ensure that the stories of the victims of the Marcos regime are never forgotten, and that future generations will be aware of the sacrifices that were made in the name of democracy and human rights.
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