In a significant move to bolster human rights in the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has embarked on a collaborative project with various civil society organizations. This initiative, known as the Community-Based Dialogue (CBD) Project on Human Rights Promotion and Protection, was officially launched on February 14, 2025, in Manila. The project aims to foster a more constructive dialogue between the security sector and civil society, including community leaders, to enhance the human rights situation across the nation.
The CBD project is steered by a committee comprising the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany (HSF), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the Philippine National Police-Human Rights Affairs Office (PNP-HRAO), along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Center of Law of Armed Conflict (AFP-CLOAC). The DOJ’s involvement is seen as crucial to aligning the dialogues with legal standards and reforms, improving access to justice, and ensuring accountability in tackling impunity.
The DOJ’s Human Rights Office (HRO) has expressed that the project aligns with Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s vision to fortify trust in the criminal justice system through active engagement with civil society and communities. The initiative also supports the DOJ-HRO’s 2025 goal of institutionalizing human rights-based approaches in investigations and prosecutions.
Secretary Remulla emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement in human rights promotion, stating that understanding and addressing the immediate needs of communities is essential for delivering true justice. This collaborative effort marks a pivotal step towards a more comprehensive and effective human rights framework in the Philippines.