Human Rights Watch: Gascon s death comes at crucial time

New York-based Human Rights Watch on Wednesday mourned the death of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chief Jose Luis “Chito” Martin Gascon, adding that the human rights defender’s passing “came at a crucial time” for the country.

Carlos Conde, HRW Senior Philippines Researcher, said the demise of the CHR official came amid the “rights violations” under the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war.

“Gascon’s death comes at a crucial time for the Philippines. The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has committed catastrophic rights violations through its ‘drug war’ and other abusive policies, and has sought to destroy institutions promoting accountability such as the CHR,” Conde said in a statement.

Gascon died of COVID-19 on Saturday, Oct. 9, his brother confirmed. Several human rights groups also sent their sympathies to Gascon’s loved ones.

Conde said human rights advocates in the Philippines must learn from Gascon’s commitment to protect human rights.

“Filipinos determined to overcome the ongoing relentless assault on their rights should take inspiration from the commitment of Chito Gascon,” he said.

He further championed Gascon’s commitment to human rights, adding that the CHR top official who helped administer reparations for victims of martial law abuses in 1970s and 1980s was a member of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board.

Gascon was also vocal in opposing former dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship when he was still a student leader at the University of the Philippines, Conde also said.

“Over many years he held a string of human rights-related positions both inside and outside of government,” Conde added. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News

Human Rights Watch: Gascon s death comes at crucial time
Source: Filipino Viral News PH