(Continued)
The MORO HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER: A Reflection
by Erwin Gaerlan
Development and Highlights of
MHRC’s work
Its dedication to human rights
work nourished the survival and maturity of MHRC.
In its initial work, MHRC
developed its programs on research and documentation, relief and
rehabilitation, advocate organizing and campaigns and advocacy.
While maintaining office in
Metro Manila, MHRC is able to get comprehensive information and data
on the Moro human rights situation by establishing a network of
contacts, activists and correspondences in all Moro areas in Mindanao.
Thru the years, the MHRC
consistently pursued active human rights advocacy and campaigns for
the promotion and protection of Moro human rights. The MHRC launched
human rights campaign both in the national and local levels. Besides
Moro human rights issues, the MHRC also involves in campaigns on
political issues that affects the Moro people.
The MHRC had provided countless
relief missions to displaced communities in Mindanao, especially those
displaced by government’s war efforts against Moro insurgents. It
actively campaigned for the rights of the Internally Displaced
Peoples. MHRC was able to develop a program for the rehabilitation of
Moro children of war based in Manila.
MHRC also became instrumental in the formation of broad alliances
among Moro organizations in Metro Manila to campaign for human rights
and other issues that affect the Moro people.
Campaign and advocacy of the
MHRC is also coupled with active lobbying efforts. These persistent
efforts of the MHRC gained recognition even by the government. The
MHRC became a member of the Presidential Human Rights Committee in
1992. A body formed by the government composed of various government
agencies and non-government organizations that served as advisory
committee to the President on human rights issues.
MHRC and its work gained
international recognition and support by different international
organizations. MHRC participated in International gatherings
representing the human rights cause and issues of the Moro people.
History had witnessed that
through long years of committed and consistent work and service, MHRC
was able to etch its niche in the overall struggle of the Moro people
for right to self-determination and the Philippine human rights
movement. It has already gained its rightful place and earned its name
whatever lies ahead of its future.
Next: A Reflection
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