AI Philippines assailed the creation of the new body as “superfluous” and “just a facelift.”

Veteran Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman welcomed the creation of the Special Committee on Human Rights but called for the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

On the other hand, former Bayan Muna Rep.Carlos Zarate issued this statement: “Nothing special regarding this committee as it is just another bureaucratic layer to make the Marcos Jr. administration acceptable in the community of nations where human rights is of paramount concern.”

President Marcos recently signed Administrative Order No. 22 creating the SCHR that will be tasked to enhance mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The new body will be headed by the executive secretary and the justice secretary as co-chairpersons.

AI Philippines Section chief Butch Olano said the move was a “step in the right direction” but may not have a true impact in “actual human rights cases.”

“It is a superfluous addition to an already convoluted justice system in the country. Addressing a human rights crisis does not need window-dressing, true change needs to be more than just a facelift,” Olano stated.

He pointed out hat there already exists the Commission on Human Rights that is capable of handling what Marcos assigned to the new body.

“Marcos cannot continue to mislead the country with a mere show of force when accountability for violations has been scarce, and human rights defenders continue to be arbitrarily arrested and charged, disappeared or killed,” Olano said.

Lagman called for a “full and strict implementation of the triumvirate of human rights statutes’ referring to the Anti-Torture Act, the Criminalization of Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance Act and the Reparation and Recognition of Human Rights Violations Victims Act.

“While the Philippines is a state party to eight human rights conventions, it has yet to join 71 States which have ratified the Convention,” he said.

Zarate remains doubtful of the sincerity of Marcos in putting an end to violations of human rights in the country.

“If Marcos Jr. is truly sincere in the promotion and protection of human rights, his administration should start by abolishing the NTF-ELCAC, the main government machinery created by his disgraced predecessor that promotes and enables the massive and grave violation of human rights in the country these past years and until now,”Zarate said.