PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The PNP, in its avowed intention of promoting and advancing the cause of human rights, has drawn into surface the PNP Human Rights Development Program in order to serve as a blueprint for action on human rights which the agency aims to accomplish at this time when the police have been overwhelmed with greater demand for the protection of the citizenry and the rights-based policing that comes with it. Prominent to the thrust for the promotion, protection and respect for human rights is the need for police officers to acquire a deep and profound understanding on the meaning of human rights and the institutional mechanism for human rights protection to work more effectively.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
1. Institutional Policy Development on Human Rights
Objective:
To review and formulate policy framework in police operations attuned to the evolving issues of human rights protection.
Projects/Activities:
- Periodic review and updating of Police Operational Procedures with HR Components;
- Adoption of a glossary of specific human rights violations that may be committed by the police;
- Formulation of a guidebook on rights-based community policing;
- Review and updating of the periodic NP Examinations to identify subjects tendencies for violating human rights;
- Formulation of an evolving legislative agenda on human rights;
- Production of a Compendium of HR standards and instruments;
- Publication of “Lessons Learned” on HR experiences of PNP personnel; and
- Conduct of surveys on HR policy advocacy and standards monitoring.
2. Capability Building
Objective:
To develop the utmost capacity of police officers on human rights consciousness and their adaptation to embracing in their career the HR philosophy and principles--- not just a recipient of change, but a ‘captain’ and a prime-mover for human resource development on human rights.
Projects/Activities:
- Enhancement of capacity of police investigators;
- Establishment of Human Rights Desk in all PRO’s, PPO’s, CPO’s, CPS/MPS and NSU’s;
- Administration of written and verbal examinations on human rights for police personnel;
- Review and updating of the Human Rights Education Curriculum in the mandatory career courses;
- Inclusion of HR-related subject in specialized courses;
- Conduct of special training programs on HR/HL and other HR components for PNP personnel;
- Development of police trainers and ‘champions’ in HR advocacy and continuing legal education;
- Organizing and formation of eligibilities for HR officers at the national, regional, provincial/city and municipal levels based on competencies and direct involvement in HR advocacy;
- Development of “best practice” models in HR promotion and protection;
- Inclusion of the PNP “Human Righters” column in the PNP Digest;
- Development of PNP “Pamana” website;
- Development and production of a DVD training program on human rights;
- Production of a short film on human rights; and
- Production and distribution of IEC Materials on Human Rights in various forms and for different target clientele.
3. Prevention and Control of Human Rights Violations
Objective:
To reduce the incidence of human rights violations by establishing a system of integrity recognition to deserving members of the PNP who have exemplified themselves to the cause of human rights and to address the legal measures for its violations committed by state actors and non-state actors through administrative and legal remedies.
Projects/Activities:
- Inclusion in the rewards and incentives system, the granting of incentives to exemplars in the field of human rights protection and provision of opportunity sites for international exposures;
- Adoption of “HR Protector” campaign ribbon for PNP personnel;
- Conduct of PNP Photo-Journalism Contest on Human Rights Protection;
- Conduct of case studies and critical analyses on specific HR violations by police officers;
- Installation of video recording systems in investigation rooms;
- Regular conduct of inventory of detainees in lock-up cells;
- Random inspections of police stations to check lock-up cells;
- Speedy resolution of administrative cases filed against PNP personnel; and
- Closer coordination with CHR, AFP, and other agencies as well as the GRP Monitoring Committee on the continuing monitoring of cases of violation of human rights in accordance with the CARHRIHL.
4. Multi-Sectoral Cooperation
Objective:
To enhance stronger cooperation between the PNP and relevant partners from the government, NGOs, and other sectoral groups, as well as international bodies, in pursuit of the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights principles in the country.
Projects/Activities:
- Formation of “HR Time Check”--- a focus group of PNP, AFP, DILG,DND, OPAPP, and DSWD to discuss current issues about human rights;
- Holding of partners and donors for covering local and international organizations, on human rights advocacy and protection;
- Conduct of consultative conferences, seminars, dialogues and events driven activities on human rights with different sectors;
- Sectoral organizing and mobilization in the area of HR education and case monitoring;
- Close coordination with other CJS pillars for the speedy resolution of cases in pursuit of justice for the victims of HR violations;
- Providing e-group for HR desk officers and other government partners to ensure interconnectivity between and among HR advocates;
- Establishment of continuing information exchange between the PNP and international and local NGOs for the advancement of HR for the police in particular and in the country in general; and
- Involvement in HR-related international and national events.