DFA Virtual Diplomatic Briefing Highlights the Human Rights Perspective of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020

Photo: (clockwise from top left). Representative Jericho Jonas B. Nograles, PBA Party List and co-author of the Anti-Terrorism Act; Undersecretary of Justice Adrian Ferdinand Sugay of the Department of Justice (DOJ); Mayor Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco of Zamboanga City; Atty. Florentino P. Manalastas, Jr., Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Terrorism Council – Program Management Council (ATC-PMC); Special Assistant Francis Maynard S. Maleon, DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns; and Atty. Frederick Mikhail I. Farolan, Lead Convener, Coalition for Security Towards Peace (screencap from the virtual briefing). (Screen capture from the virtual briefing)

MANILA 07 September 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hosted a virtual diplomatic briefing entitled “Understanding the Human Rights Perspective of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” on 03 September 2020. The briefing included presentations on the salient provisions of Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and how said law complies with the Philippines’ international obligations, framed in the context and reality of terrorism in the Philippines.   

The briefing was attended by over 200 participants, mostly from diplomatic missions, United Nations (UN) agencies and international organizations in Manila, as well as missions in Geneva. 

Executive Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Atty. Mel Georgie B. Racela explained that contrary to concerns from various groups regarding the human rights violations that the ATA may cause, the law, in fact, contains 24 sections—44 percent of total substantive sections—related to ensuring the protection of human rights. He also explained how the ATA makes the Philippines compliant with relevant UN Security Council resolutions on stopping financing and other material support for terrorists. 

House Representative Jericho Jonas B. Nograles explained that as early as 2015, there have been efforts in the Philippine Congress to enhance the country’s anti-terrorism legislation and address the weaknesses of the Human Security Act of 2007. He added that the ATA was crafted to protect fundamental human rights from the threat of terrorism.

Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) Director Tito Marshall Fajardo explained that the Philippines’ ATA may be the first and only anti-terrorism legislation that specifies the role of the independent national human rights institution, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), which may be cited as a good practice in human rights protection while countering terrorism.

In his remarks, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia underscored the Philippine Government’s openness, transparency, and inclusivity in discourses on important national concerns. END

Executive Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Atty. Mel Georgie B. Racela. (Screen capture from the virtual briefing)

Rep. Jericho Jonas B. Nograles. (Screen capture from the virtual briefing)

Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) Director Tito Marshall Fajardo. (Screen capture from the virtual briefing)

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia during his remarks. (Screen capture from the virtual briefing)