Victims of human rights violations in Quezon City may soon seek assistance from the city government after the city council approved on third and final reading a measure creating the Quezon City Human Rights Action Center (QCHRAC).
The establishment of the action center is in line with the city’s agreement with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to promote rights awareness and help victims in their search for justice.
Among its functions is to help provide victims with legal or paralegal assistance and a support network for their complaints.
“It is high time to create a Human Rights Action Center in Quezon City that shall establish a continuing program of research, information and education to enhance respect for human rights,” said Councilor Bayani Hipol, the author of the measure.
The proposed QCHRAC, which will be set up under the Office of the Mayor, will be chaired by the city administrator and will have at least three representatives from people’s organizations.
The CHR, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, has instituted barangay (village) human rights action centers to empower citizens at the community level. The action centers are mandated to pursue and integrate grassroots programs upholding the laws against human trafficking, torture, violence against women and children, and on gender equality and development.–Erika Sauler