March 4, 2005
Human Rights Officer Chat

Transcript/FAQs:

Q. User asked: Teacher from Mabuhay Elem Sch: Is everybody in the U.S. enjoying his right? How effective is the program/implementation in the United States? And do all people in the U.S., black and white have equal rights?

A. No country in the world has a perfect record on human rights, including the U.S. However, assuring the rights of all citizens is a high priority in the U.S. We are continually working to address human rights problems in our country, as we hope other countries do as well.

Q. User asked: Rosalia P. Solde from XU Graduate Student: Being an Asian people do we have equal rights in the United States?

A. Thanks, Rosalia. The answer to your question is that, yes, Asian people, like all people, are protected equally under the law in the U.S. We have very strong anti-discrimination laws which we actively enforce.

Q. User asked: I am Joyce from MMSU,Batac, Ilocos Norte. I am particularly interested with the areas of intervention of the US goverment regarding HR issues. What specifically are the programs of the USA to address its human rights problems at present?

A. I am glad you asked about that, Joyce. One of the uses for the annual Human Rights Report is to help the U.S. better target its assistance programs to address the specific problems in each region. In the Philippines, the U.S. is currently administering hundreds of projects all over the country, in partnership with the local government, NGO's, schools, etc. These programs seek to address problems of poverty, lawlessness, ongoing conflicts, and many more. You can see examples of these projects at our web site, philippines.usembassy.gov

Q. User asked: Why is Mindanao the focus of US? Are there programs also for other parts of the country?

A. The U.S. reports on the human rights situation in the entire country and, likewise, has assistance projects throughout the country. However, Mindanao does, unfortunately, have greater levels of poverty than elsewhere in the country. The U.S. tries to target its assistance to where it is needed most. Right now, approximately 60% of USAID's projects are being implemented in Mindanao.

Q. User asked: What has the US done to the violations that the Abu Sayaf group did to American and Filipino victims?

A. I believe you are referring to the kidnapping of U.S. citizens, along with Filipino citizens, in the Southern Philippines several years back... This was a symptom of a larger problem that was plaguing the Philippines. Since then, the U.S. has supported the Government of the Philippines in its efforts to fight terrorist groups like the ASG. The U.S. believes it is imperative that we help our allies in this fight. The U.S. is providing assistance to the Philippine Government to strengthen its counter-terrorism capabilities. At the same time, however, we realize that we must address the root causes that lead to an environment where terrorism can thrive such as poverty. To address these issues, the U.S. is spending millions of dollars in livelihood projects, such as the LEAP program, administered by USAID. This is a program that provides former MNLF combatants training and supplies so that they may become self-sufficient.

Q. User asked: In the Philippines, there is the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) under the administration of then Pres. Estrada. Do you track that?

A. Joyce, you are correct to note that there have been violations of human rights committed both by the CPP/NPA and by some members of the Government's security forces. We point out both sides of this issue in our report... I understand that the Government of the Philippines recently institutionalized its monitoring committee, to work with the National Democratic Front's monitoring committee. This is a step in the right direction if they are able to help ensure compliance.

Q. User asked: What gives the US the right to publish this report? Why do you have to report on other countries?

A. The Human Rights Reports are mandated by the U.S. Congress. They were instituted in the mid-1970's so that Congress would have concrete information about the human rights situation in the countries that they are working with in making judgements about foreign policy and assistance programs.

Q. User asked: How does Philippines compare to its neighbors? Do you place countries into various grades - which you do with the trafficking report for instance?

A. The US Does not grade other countries against one another. The Human Rights Report is not an effort to pass judgment on other countries but rather to give our own policymakers the information that they want and need in order to make decent judgment.

Q. User asked: mayleen mabbagu - IT IS VERY sweet for the US government to be helping other countries. Im JUST CURIOUS WHAT WILL BE THE BENEFITS THAT THE US GOVERNMENT WILL BE GETTING IN RETURN. :)

A. Great question, Mayleen. We get asked this question all the time. What does the U.S. get out of helping other countries? A good analogy would be to two friends. The Philippines has historically been a friend of the U.S. Obviously, in your personal life you want a strong friend rather than a weak friend, you want a prosperous friend rather than a poor one. Similarly the US wants the Philippines to be strong and prosperous – then you can buy more American goods, American companies can use Philippine talent to build and market their products. This benefits both countries.

Q. User asked: How did you gather data for this report?

A. In preparing the Human Rights report, we try to use as many sources of information as possible, to get multiple views on the issues. Some of our information comes from official statistics by groups like the Department of Labor or the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Other information comes from NGO's who are working day-to-day with the very problems we report on. The Commission on Human Rights is another very valuable source of information in preparing our report. Finally, we also speak with the police and the military to hear their side of the story.

Q. User asked: It is very nice to ask questions but we are curious why does some questions are not answered?

A. Unfortunately, we are not able to answer all the questions posed to us simply because there are many participants and more questions than can be answered by one officer in the time allowed. We select the questions that we think are of general interest to most participants.