Groups seek UN help on alleged human rights abuses vs. Pinoys in Sabah

, GMA News
Around 27 Filipinos from various civil society organizations recently filed petitions before two United Nations agencies over alleged human rights violations against Filipinos in Sabah amid the ongoing conflict there between Malaysian authorities and followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

In their petitions, they asked the UN agencies to probe “massive and gross human rights violations” allegedly perpetrated by Malaysian forces against FIlipinos in Sabah.

They also asked the UN to urge Malaysia to “provide effective remedies and compensation” to the victims.

Malaysia had already denied allegations of human rights abuses in Sabah since March.

A statement from the Center for International Law (CenterLaw) said the petitioners on Monday filed "communications," or petitions before an international body, before the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres.

According to CenterLaw, the petitioners asked the UN agencies headed by Pillay and Guterres to:
  • intervene and investigate the massive and gross human rights violations committed by Malaysian state agents against Filipinos in Sabah;
  • express grave concern on the massive and gross human rights violations committed by Malaysia against Filipinos in Sabah, and
  • remind Malaysia that it provide effective remedies and compensation to the Filipino victims of the massive and gross human rights violations committed against them in Sabah by Malaysian state agents.

"Fortunately, CSOs will move to protect and promote the human rights of Filipinos in Sabah especially when our government has failed in this regard," said human rights lawyer Harry Roque, who was one of those who signed the petitions.

"Human right, after all, has ceased to be a purely domestic issue and is now a concern for the international community," he continued.

Sabah crisis

The Sabah crisis started in February when Kiram’s followers arrived in the area, determined to stake their claim over the land.

This erupted in a standoff between them and Malaysian forces, which took a violent turn in March, and the groups have been clashing since.

The crisis has left over 60 dead and is still going on. - VVP, GMA News

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