Petition-Complaint Letter to UN Secretary General António Guterres Petition for Immediate International Inquiry into Systematic Human Rights Violations, Crimes Against Humanity, Violations of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICPR), Violations of International Humanitarian Law and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC) Committed by the Philippine Government.
July 14, 2024
António Guterres
Secretary General
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
USA
Dear Secretary General Guterres,
We, the undersigned, representing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), Sambayanan People’s Organization and Alliance-Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan, United Filipino Heritage of the Philippines (UNIPHIL), Hakbang ng Maisug, USA, and US Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines (USPRCP), urgently petition your office to initiate an immediate international inquiry into the systematic human rights violations, crimes against humanity, Violations on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), violations of International Humanitarian Law and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC) committed by the Philippine Government.
Facts and Statements:
On June 10, 2024, and lasting for eight days, Philippine authorities executed a raid on the KOJC religious compound, ostensibly to serve a single arrest warrant. This operation involved the deployment of two battalions of combined forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Scout Rangers in full battle gear, resulting in the following:
- Deaths and Injuries: The raid resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to scores of others.
- Trauma to Vulnerable Populations: Over 80 children and several hundred women, including Indigenous Peoples from three tribal communities, experienced severe psychological trauma.
- Destruction of Property: The KOJC compound suffered extensive damage.
- Violation of Religious Freedom: The compound, a place of worship and community for many, was desecrated.
- Violations under the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): The Philippines is a signatory to this convention.
- Violations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: This includes rights to self-determination, culture, identity, language, employment, health, education, and other issues.
- Violation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD):
The estimated amount of damages and indemnification resulting from these violations is 1.14 billion pesos or $20 million.
Legal Arguments:
- Violation of the ICCPR: The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) mandates the protection of life, liberty, and security (Articles 6 and 9). The excessive use of force, leading to deaths and injuries, constitutes a grave violation of these rights. Furthermore, targeting a religious community contravenes Article
18, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
- Breach of the Convention Against Torture (CAT): The CAT prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The traumatic experiences inflicted on women, children, and Indigenous communities during the raid qualify as degrading treatment, violating international law.
- Violations of ECOSOC: The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC) protects the rights to work, social security, family life, health, education, and participation in cultural life. The destruction of the KOJC compound, a community and cultural hub, and the trauma inflicted on its members, particularly vulnerable groups, constitute violations of these economic, social, and cultural rights.
- Principles of Proportionality and Necessity: International humanitarian law emphasizes these principles. The use of overwhelming military force in serving a single arrest warrant, leading to massive destruction and loss of life, is grossly disproportionate to the objective and unnecessary in a civilian setting.
Conclusion:
The actions of the Philippine authorities in the KOJC religious compound raid amount to crimes against humanity under international law. The ICCPR, CAT, ECOSOC, and International Humanitarian Law provide a robust framework to address and rectify these severe human rights violations. As a signatory to these treaties, the Philippine government is obligated to uphold these international standards and ensure accountability.
We urgently request that the United Nations initiate an international inquiry into these events and take appropriate measures to address these violations. The systematic human rights abuses, targeting of religious and Indigenous communities, and the excessive use of force demand immediate attention and intervention.
Respectfully,
Petitioning-Complainants
- Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC)
- SMNI Sonshine Media Network International
- Sambayanan People’s Organization and Alliance-Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan
- United Filipino Heritage of the Philippines (UNIPHIL)
- Hakbang ng Maisug, USA
- US Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines (USPRCP)
We trust that the gravity of this situation and the extensive evidence of systematic human rights abuses will prompt a timely and decisive response from your esteemed office.
Thank you for the immediate and urgent attention that you will give this matter.
(SGD) Arnedo S. Valera, Esquire
International Human Rights Lawyer
Counsel for Petitioning-Complainants
Pro-Bono Counsel
3900 Jermantown Road, Suite 100
Fairfax, VA 22030
Cc:
- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Relevant International Human Rights Organizations
Attachments:
- Detailed Incident Reports
- Photographic and Video Evidence
- Testimonies from Victims
- Legal Analysis of Violations
