MANILA, Philippines — French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel appealed to the Philippines and other countries on Friday to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances so it can enter into force.
“We would appreciate if countries around the world would sign and ratify it as soon as possible so it can enter into force as soon as possible,” Chesnel told reporters.
Chesnel made the appeal as relatives of desaparecidos from seven countries, including the Philippines, planted saplings at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani to mark the International Week of the Disappeared.
Edita Burgos, whose son Jonas Joseph has been missing, was one of those who planted saplings along with relatives of desaparecidos from India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
She called on her son’s captors not to harm him.
Chesnel urged the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (Afad), which organized the tree-planting, to lobby for the signing and ratification of the convention.
“We do regret and condemn disappearances anywhere in the world. It’s something that democratic countries can’t accept,” Chesnel said on the growing number of political killings and disappearances in the country.
Afad secretary general Mary Aileen Bacalso said: “Its implementation in the national level would require the enactment of national laws criminalizing enforced disappearances which do not exist in any part of Asia.”
The Philippines has come under fire from the United Nations, European Union, other countries, international and local human rights groups over its failure to stop human rights violations.
France played a key role in the adoption of the convention by the UN General Assembly on December 20 last year.
The Philippines has yet to sign the convention, which criminalizes the practice of enforced disappearances, prohibits secret places of detention, and recognizes the victims and their families’ right to reparation.
So far 57 countries have signed the convention. For it to enter into force, it should be ratified as well by the legislatures of at least 20 countries.
Burgos, widow of the late press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr., appealed to the captors of her 37-year-old son not to harm him.
She blamed the military for her son’s abduction after the license plate of the getaway vehicle was traced to another vehicle impounded at an Army camp in Bulacan. The military claimed the plate had been stolen.
The young Burgos, who had been training members of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Bulacan in organic farming, was seized from the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City on April 28.
Meanwhile, a team of technical experts from European Union is expected to arrive in Manila this month to assess the technical needs of the Philippines in investigating political killings.
“Several European countries will send a delegation next week to discuss with Philippine authorities what kind of help we can bring. We agreed on the idea of helping the Philippine government,” Chesnel said.
The Philippine government earlier requested technical assistance from the EU to resolve the killings.
Gabriel Munuera Viñals, head of EU’s Political, Economic, Trade and Public Affairs Section, said the delegates are experts on investigative techniques, women’s protection schemes, prosecution and judicial reform, among others.
He said seven to nine experts from United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Spain and Germany will meet with officials of the defense and justice departments, the military and police.
“On the basis of technical evaluation, the European Union and member-states can provide technical assistance to the government,” Viñals said.
The delegates will also meet with civil society groups.
plus 30 percent of that rate.
