PDI Editorial describes the Human Security Act of 2007 as a Scary Law
July 17th, 2007 at 12:13 am (National Politics, Writable Writes, Military Affairs, Human Rights)
In their editorial today (July 17, 2007) the Philippine Daily Inquirer describes the Human Security Act of 2007 (HSA) as a scary law:
Its enforcement could be twisted to serve the political ends of the enforcers. Given the records of the principal enforcers — Acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — there is reason to be afraid that abuses would be committed in its enforcement.
The editorial also points out how the HSA can aggravate the already worsening incidences of extrajudicial killings in the country:
It would even give the military a legal justification to go after people it can easily label as “terrorists.” Expect the number of extrajudicial killings, which has been placed at more than 800 by the rights group Karapatan, to increase with the enforcement of the law. Expect also the number of forced disappearances to rise.
PDI calls on the review, and the revision of the HSA in order to ensure that the law is not subject to abuse and misinterpretation.
Related Posts:We hope that the Supreme Court will grant the militants’ petition to suspend enforcement of the law so that it can be discussed publicly and more thoroughly, to the end that all possible loopholes for abuse will be plugged.
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Karlo Mikhail said,
July 28, 2007 at 7:52 am
Even without it, as I earlier pointed out in my blog at http://postcardheadlines.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/km15, its already really scary already. How much more with the Human Security Act?
Couple that with a president who thinks that she can be as strong as she wants then it’s really very scary. But I’m confident that our people won’t be terrorized into silence. We should not stop to speak out against this dangerous law.
Lemuel Capiral said,
August 11, 2007 at 9:26 pm
In my point of view regarding this issue about the Human Security Act of 2007, the government must take focus on revising its contents. It is because the terms are so harsh and the definition of terrorism is overbroad. Cases may arise that this legislative act might be misused by the government. Moreover, the people will only be filled with anger and fear towards this bill for it even penalizes those who are merely ’suspects’ who are not directly involved in such heineous acts. I’m typical 16-year-old concerned citizen of this country. Yet,we don’t have to pretend as ignorant about this important issues happening around us. Let the leaders hear our voices….More power!