CHR bats for dialog between police, universities over presence in campuses
Credit to Author: DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ| Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2019 17:13:16 +0000
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) pushed for the consultations between the police and university administrators regarding the proposed presence of security forces in campuses to guarantee the protection of civil liberties of all individuals concerned.
The CHR maintained that campuses are safe spaces for teachers and students, where they can freely engage in discussion and criticize “without fear of retaliation or censorship.”
CHR spokesman Jacqueline de Guia said, “Students have the right to organize and involve themselves freely and voluntarily in various organizations ― may it be political or not, and have the agency to come and go as they please.”
She added if there are any consequence stemming from this kind of involvement, grievance mechanisms for those involved should be in place.”
Meanwhile the University of the Philippines University Student Council (UP USC) said it would proceed with a forum to discuss the proposed entry of security forces on campus following a dialogue with some university officials and the Philippine National Police.
It clarified that the invitation it earlier sent to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and National Youth Commission Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ryan Enriquez was not for a debate but for a public dialogue.
“In this sense, the UP Diliman University Student Council, in their invitations, simply meant that the parties specifically invited will be allowed to speak their piece but will not be pitted against each other in a formal debate,” the UP USC said in a statement.