NP Trainings on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Make Positive Impact in the Philippines
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is in a unique position to observe the coming transition period in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro in the Philippines. NP serves as a layer between armed forces on the ground and higher-level mechanisms overseeing the peace process. These armed forces on the ground include the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), while the higher-level mechanisms include the International Monitoring Team and the peace panels of the GPH and MILF. Through community acceptance and excellent contacts, NP will continue to engage both the Philippine Army and MILF in awareness-raising initiatives related to international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights (HR).
With a strong ceasefire and a peace agreement in place in Mindanao between the GPH and the MILF, the principles of of IHL in the GPH-MILF conflict context are holding the ground at present, . However, lot of work needs to be done to effectively ensure the implementation of overall principles for human rights law in Bangsamoro sub state.. These principles will regulate the rules of the future Bangsamoro Police force and their interpretation will likely determine many issues within the political entity of the Bangsamoro sub-state.
As an organization that deals with armed actors on a regular basis, NP operates within the framework of IHL and HR. IHL is the fundamental law regulating armed conflict. In the context of Mindanao, it has been long applicable due to its immediate application in Philippine Law (Republic Act 9851 on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes against Humanity) and the ceasefire between the GPH and MILF. The values and spirit of IHL and its instruments, such as the Geneva Conventions, have found their way even into the internal staff rules of the MILF.
Additionally, orientations, trainings and seminars on IHL and HR are a central component of NP’s engagement in Mindanao. This extends from the mountains of Lanao to the marshlands of Maguindanao. Through these trainings, NP teams disseminate international, national and local rules to the parties to strengthen their knowledge about these legal frameworks. While IHL and HR trainings and orientations will not immediately eliminate HR abuses, they do lay the groundwork for addressing current HR concerns and preventing future violations. Using a contextualized approach – such as comparing the IHL rules to existing guidelines of the Philippine Army – NP teams can tailor training curricula to their particular audience.
Based on NP’s principle of nonviolence and promoting IHL and IHRL,,” NP teams encourage relevant actors to engage in activities related to IHL or HR. NP teams meet with different groups to present their portfolio of activities and trainings. They offer to conduct training only if an MILF unit or Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) battalion is interested.
This desire to understand IHL was clearly evidenced during the training of a company of the Philippine Army Special Forces in Maguindanao. Despite the improved situation in Mindanao and preparations for the unit to return to its home base in the Visayas, the commanding officer requested IHL training for his soldiers. It was the belief of the commanding officer that this knowledge is essential for success and is something that must be sought and acquired constantly. As an elderly Ustadz (Islamic scholar) from the 118 Base Command of the MILF (and an IHL training participant) said, “Knowledge will help us; it will guide us in our conduct. It will make us genuine peace-builders.”
NP teams have had the opportunity to provide IHL and HR trainings to a multitude of diverse groups across Mindanao and responses are almost always positive. Following IHL and HR trainings, NP is routinely thanked by participants, young and old, military and civilian. They are grateful to Nonviolent Peaceforce for bringing the fundamental issues of rights, justice and freedom to the forefront.
by Georgi Engelbrecht