Julio 6, 2007

Phil - SC slates summit on extrajudicial killings


The Supreme Court is set to hold a summit on extrajudicial killings in mid-July in a bid to come up with solutions to put an end to senseless killings.

According to a statement Friday from the high tribunal, representatives from the three branches of the government will participate in the National Consultative Summit on Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances – Searching for Solutions on July 16-17 at the Manila Hotel.

Representatives from the executive and legislative departments, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights, media, academe, civil society and other stakeholders will be among the participants in the two-day summit. Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno will give the keynote speech and closing remarks.

The summit is aimed at searching for wholistic solutions and providing inputs to the Supreme Court in its objective of enhancing existing rules, or promulgating new ones, in the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, including the protection of the witnesses.

Likewise, it aims to examine the concept of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances pursuant to the standards provided for by local and international laws, including United Nations instruments.

The summit also aims to revisit the rules of evidence and to explore more remedies for the aggrieved parties aside from the writ of habeas corpus.

During the first day of the summit, the speakers will present their respective papers comprising significant inputs from their respective sectors.

On the second day, the participants will break out into 12 groups and take part in a workshop. Each breakout group will be chaired by a Supreme Court Associate Justice.

Local and international observers will be accredited. They will include members of the diplomatic corps and representatives from various international organizations.

The summit highlight will be a plenary session where each of the 12 groups shall report to the body their recommended resolutions. The reports and proposals will be synthesized and then transmitted to the concerned government agencies for appropriate action.

In March, the Supreme Court designated about a hundred Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) nationwide to hear, try, and decide cases involving killings of judges, political activists, and members of the media.

A total of 23 RTCs have been designated special courts in the National Judicial Capital Region (NCJR), while a total of 76 RTCs in the 12 Judicial Regions were likewise designated as Special Courts.

Puno has said the creation of Special Courts to resolve extrajudicial killings is high on the judiciary’s priority list. He made the announcement even before Malacañang made public the findings of the Independent Commission to Address Media and Activists Killings, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, confirming the extrajudicial killings of political activists and members of the media. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/49959/SC-slates-summit-on-extrajudicial-killings

Posted by marga at Julio 6, 2007 6:57 PM | TrackBack
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