CIVIL SERVICE REVIEW

February 18, 2023

2:00PM to 4:00 PM

Peace and Human

Rights: Concepts &
Issues
BERNARDO E. GUILLERMO III, MPA
University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao
Understanding Peace
• Literally, the word ‘peace’ is
derived from the original
Latin word ‘pax’, which
means a pact, a control or an
agreement (to end war or
any dispute and conflict
between two people, two
nations or two antagonistic Source:https://
groups of people). internationaldayofpeace.org/
Understanding Peace
• According to the American military history, the word peace essentially means
―the absence of war.
• Therefore, by military views, they fight wars to win peace, or they use force to
maintain peace.
• In military paradigms, peace is seen as an ultimate or ideal goal rather than a
means to an end.

https://theglobepost.com/2020/03/06/afghan-children-peace/
Albert Einstein
• “Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of
justice, of law, of order – in short, of government.”

Source:https://quotesgram.com/einstein-on-
peace-quotes/
Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the
presence of justice.”

Source“:https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2014/07/19/living-together-
in-peace-martin-luther-king-jr/
Dalai Lama
• “Peace, in the sense of
the absence of war is of
little value…peace can
only last where human
rights are respected,
where people are fed, and
where individuals and https://www.diversecustomer.com/2020/07/happy-
nations are free.” birthday-his-holiness-14th-dalai.html
Johan Galtung
• “Peace is the absence of violence and should be used as
the social goal.”

https://www.culturalstudiesinbusiness.org/post/johan-galtung-violence-peace-and-peace-research-the-
presentation-by-sapienza-students
• Peace exists where people
are interacting non-violently
and are managing their
conflict positively – with
respectful attention to the
legitimate needs and interest
of all concerned.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World-Peace.jpg
The Concepts of Peace
1. The concept of human rights
for peace
• Human rights are ―basic
rights and freedoms that all
people are entitled to
regardless of nationality, sex,
ethnic origin, race, religion,
language, or other status.
• Human rights are universal
and egalitarian
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/10/675210421/its-human-rights-day-
however-its-not-universally-accepted
The Concepts of Peace
1. The concept of human rights
for peace
• Peace and human rights are
necessary for each other:
peace cannot be achieved
without human rights being
realized and protected, and
human rights cannot be
achieved in the absence of
peace.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2017/10/sustaining-peace-through-
human-rights
The Concepts of Peace
2. The concept of justice for peace
• Justice is the concept of moral
rightness based on ethics,
rationality, law, natural law,
religion, equality or equity.
• Justice is one of the most
important moral values in the
spheres of law and politics.

https://rabbisacks.org/justice-peace-yitro-5777/love-peace-
justice-logo/
The Concepts of Peace
3. The concept of peace education and a culture of peace
• Peace education empowers learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and
values necessary to end violence and injustice and promote a culture of peace.

https://ece.iafor.org/dvteam/education-conflict-peacebuilding-transcending-negative-
peace-peace-education-the-global-education-agenda/
The Concepts of Peace
3. The concept of peace education and a
culture of peace
• The concept of a Culture of Peace was
formulated by the International Congress
on Peace in the Minds of Men that was
held in Yamoussoukro, Africa 1989.
• The Congress recommended UNESCO to
― help construct a new vision of peace by
developing a peace culture based on the
universal values of respect for life, liberty,
justice, solidarity, tolerance, human rights
and equality between men and women. https://rotarypeacechula.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/for-
a-culture-of-peace-thoughts-and-challenges/
International Day of Peace
• The International Day of
Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed
around the world each year on 21
September.
• Established in 1981 by unanimous
United Nations resolution, the General
Assembly has declared this as a day
devoted to “commemorating and
strengthening the ideals of peace
both within and among all nations
and peoples.”  https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/
september-21-international-day-of-peace-vector-
10618606
Peace Issues in the Philippines
Terrorism (Marawi Siege)
• A type of violence that includes the
intentional targeting of noncombatants and
distinguishes between the direct victims
and audience that you want to affect.
• On the 23rd of May 2017, extremist groups
linked to Islamic State (IS) and previously
Al-Qaeda, fought a battle over 6 months
with the Philippine Government over
Marawi, a city of 200,000 people, leaving
it in ruins and killing more than 1,000
people. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/11/philippines-battle-
of-marawi-leaves-trail-of-death-and-destruction/
Peace Issues in the Philippines
Rebellion (CPP-NPA-NDF)
• The Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) recorded 111
more cases of International
Humanitarian Laws violations,
ranging from using child warriors,
destruction of civilian properties,
unabated use of landmines and
willful killings only in the first half https://www.rappler.com/nation/160132-communist-
rebels-end-ceasefire-peace-talks/
of 2021 on top of the 1,506
violations committed since 2010.
Peace Issues in the Philippines
Crimes
• The Philippine National Police
(PNP) said 395,920 index crimes
were reported nationwide from
July 2016 to June 2021—a 64
percent decline from numbers
during the late Benigno Aquino
III’s administration—1,113,712.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1464494/in-bid-to-make-ph-safe-
killings-become-norm
 What is Right?
• Practically, when we say right,
we regard it to human right
• Human rights are rights
inherent to all human beings

https://www.nirhealth.org/blog/2012/02/23/are-human-rights-
negotiable/
Human Rights
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948
• “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and
inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the
foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

• Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-

operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect
for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms...”
Human Rights
• Human rights are at the core of international law and
international relations.
• The principle of equality and non-discrimination, as stipulated
in Article 2 of the Declaration, is the cornerstone of the human
rights protection system.

https://rhr-ca.com/
Bill of Rights
• A declaration and enumeration of a person’s rights and privileges
which the Constitution is designed to protect against violations

https://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/bill-
of-rights
 Classes of Rights
1. Natural Rights
2. Constitutional Rights
a. Political Rights
b. Civil Rights
c. Socio-economic Rights
3. Statutory Rights
https://ijrcenter.org/2012/12/10/its-human-rights-day-get-an-i-
am-a-human-with-rights-t-shirt-make-twice-the-impact/
1. Natural Rights
- Fundamental human rights based on universal natural law, as
opposed to those based on man-made positive law

https://study.com/academy/lesson/natural-rights-definition-examples.html
2. Constitutional Rights
- They are those rights which are
conferred and protected by the
Constitution
- Since they are part of the
fundamental law, they cannot
be taken away by the law-
making body without the due
process of law
https://today.law.harvard.edu/brilliant-and-
highly-flawed/
3. Statutory Rights
- They are those legal rights which are provided by laws
promulgated by the law-making body and, consequently, may
be abolished by the same body

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkLvxj5jKF8
Classification of Constitutional Rights
a. Political Rights
- Rights of the citizens which give
them the power to participate,
directly or indirectly, in the
establishment or administration of
the government

https://psacbc.com/psac-members-have-political-
rights/
- Among these rights are:
• The Right of Citizenship
(Art. IV)
• The Right of Suffrage (Art.
V)
• The Right to Information
on Matters of Public https://www.peakpx.com/en/hd-wallpaper-desktop-
Concern (Art. III, Sec. 7) kailb
b. Civil Rights
- They are those rights which the law will enforce at the instance of
private individuals for the purpose of securing to them the enjoyment
of their means of happiness

https://iboninternational.org/2019/07/09/on-the-philippine-rights-
situation-and-int-l-efforts-to-defend-people-s-rights/
- Freedom of speech, of
expression, or of the press,
the right of assembly and
petition, and the right to
form associations (Secs. 4,
8) are likewise civil rights

https://www.niu.edu/clas/cseas/_pdf/lesson-plans/
fulbright-hays/michael-appendix-a.pdf
Rights of the Accused
- They are the (civil) rights intended for the protection
of a person accused of any crime

https://imgur.com/gallery/kU6JfVq
c. Social and Economic Rights
- They include those rights which are intended to insure and
protect the well-being and economic security of the
individual

http://subversionymoraleja.blogspot.com/2015/12/is-global-poverty-
human-rights-violation.html
Human Right Issues in the Philippines
Child Abuse
• When child abuse occurs in the home
and the abuser is, for example, the
child’s parent or care-giver, this is a
form of domestic violence.
• Republic Act 9262 – Anti-Violence
Against Women and their Children Act
of 2004
• Republic Act 7610 - An Act Providing
for Stronger Deterrence and Special
Protection Against Child Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination https://www.hindustantimes.com/sex-and-relationships/domestic-violence-child-abuse-
cases-on-the-rise-in-this-lockdown-experts-explain-why/story-
UZUC4v491KIWBkXmQ7x3SM.html
Human Right Issues in the Philippines
Drug War and Extrajudicial
Killings
• According to official government
figures, members of the Philippine
National Police and the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency killed
5,903 individuals during anti-drug
operations from July 1, 2016 to
September 30, 2020.
gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/photo/
188976/im-a-pusher/photo/
 Human Right Issues in the Philippines
Trafficking in Persons (TIPS)
• Refers to the recruitment, obtaining,
hiring, providing, offering,
transportation, transfer, maintaining,
harboring or receipt of persons with or
without victim’s consent or
knowledge, within or across national
borders by means of threat, or use of
force, or other means of coercion or
abduction for exploitative purposes.
https://www.meig.ch/highlight-35-2022-human-trafficking-during-the-pandemic-did-
states-succeed-in-protecting-the-most-vulnerable/
 Human Right Issues in the Philippines
Trafficking in Persons (TIPS)
• RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) as
amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in
Persons Act of 2012)
 Known as An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate
Trafficking in Persons especially Women and Children.
RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364, established the
Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
(IACAT), which shall be primarily responsible for
coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing the
implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons
Act. https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-9208/
Human Right Issues in the Philippines
Political Killings, Threats &
Harassments
• Leftist activists and human rights defenders
were key targets of physical and online
attacks.
• On August 17, 2020 unidentified gunmen shot
dead Zara Alvarez, a legal worker for the
human rights group Karapatan, in Bacolod
City in the central Philippines.
https://manilatoday.net/one-year-after-the-killing-of-zara-
alvarez-still-no-justice/
Let us have a test…
1. What are the rights provided by laws promulgated by
the law-making body?

A. Natural Rights
B. Statutory Rights
C. Civil Rights
D. Constitutional Rights
2. Which of the following is a manifestation that a citizen
may exercise his political rights.

A. Right to Counsel
B. Right to Well-being
C. Right to Vote
D. Right to Strike
3. The parents of Amanda decided to have their daughter be
married to a businessman in their community. Amanda
ran away when she learned about it. What right has been
deprived to Amanda?

A. Statutory Rights
B. Natural Rights
C. Civil Rights
D. Constitutional Rights
4. Juan dela Cruz was deprived of his right to well-being.
What constitutional right had been violated?

A. Social and Economic Rights

B. Political Rights
C. Civil Rights
D. Rights of the Accused
5. What was derived from the original Latin word ‘pax’,
which means a pact?

A. Social Contract
B. Peace
C. Law
D. Unrest
6. What are those rights which the law will enforce at the
instance of private individuals for the purpose of securing
to them the enjoyment of their means of happiness?

A. Political Rights
B. Natural Rights
C. Civil Rights
D. Statutory Rights
7. What concept of peace was formulated by the
International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men that
was held in Yamoussoukro, Africa 1989?

A. Justice
B. Education
C. Human Rights
D. Culture of Peace
8. What is being observed around the world each year on
21st September?

A. Human Rights Day

B. International Day of Peace
C. United Nations Day
D. None of the choices
9. What is R.A. 9262?

A. An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection

Against Child Abuse
B. Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004
C. An act prohibiting the employment of children below 15 years of
age in public and private undertakings
D. Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012
10.What laid the foundation for international human rights law and
has, throughout time, become the guiding light for those who
promote the reinforcement and respect for human rights
worldwide?

A. The United Nations Charter

B. The League of Nations
C. International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men
D. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
11. Which human rights issue refers to the attack on leftist
activists and human rights defenders?

A. Extrajudicial Killings
B. Drug War
C. Political Killings
D. Press Attack
12. What is TRUE about the term "right"?

A. Practically, we regard it to economic right.

B. Used by different groups for the same purpose.
C. It is categorized into one aspect.
D. It used in different ways for different purposes.
13. “Peace is the absence of violence and should be used as the
social goal.” Who said this statement?

A. Albert Einstein
B. Martin Luther King, Jr.
C. The Dalai Lama
D. Johan Galtung
14.Which of the following refers to the declaration and enumeration
of a person’s rights and privileges which the Constitution is
designed to protect against violations?

A. Constitution
B. Bill of Rights
C. United Nations Charter
D. Statutes
15. What describes the concept of justice for peace?

A. The basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to have.
B. The concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law,
religion, fairness, or equity.
C. Empowers learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values
necessary to end violence and injustice and promote a culture of peace.
D. Entails rights and privileges that an individual must exercise perpetually.
16.Why do we consider suffrage as a political right?

A. The people have the privilege to vote granted by the lawmaking

body.
B. The right to suffrage is an inherent right.
C. Right to vote is being exercised to promulgate the interests of the
majority.
D. It enables citizens to vote to assure that powers come from the
consent of the governed.
17. What signifies the existence of "equal protection of the law"?

A. It favors some and discriminate others.

B. All persons subject to law should be treated alike.
C. It serves the interests of the majority.
D. Unequal things or persons should be treated equal.
18.The AFP recorded hundreds or more cases of International
Humanitarian laws violations by the NPA. Which of the following
is NOT included in such violations?
A. Using child warriors
B. Destruction of civilian properties
C. Unabated use of landmines
D. Trafficking of persons
19. What is NOT a concept of the rule of law?

A. No one is above the law.

B. Ours is a government of law.
C. In the eyes of law, all of us are equal in opportunity,
wealth, and status.
D. None of the choices.
20. What concept of peace empowers learners with the knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values necessary to end violence and
injustice and promote a culture of peace.

A. Peace Education
B. Culture of Peace
C. Human Rights Charters
D. Constitution