BARANGAY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION CENTER (BHRAC)

AS A BARANGAY MECHANISM FOR

ACCESS TO JUSTICE and

HUMAN RIGHTS

BHRAC FUNCTIONS

Human Rights Education

HRV Referrals

Community Mobilizations for HR Actions

BHRAC as Brgy Mechanism for Access to Justice

Other mechanisms for access to justice at the barangay level include the following:

Sangguniang Barangay Committee on Women and Children’s ConcernsLupon Tagapamayapa MembersBarangay Sangguniang KabataanRural Health WorkersBarangay Child Protection Council OfficersDay Care WorkersBarangay Agrarian Reform Committee ChairCivil Society Advocates

WHAT IS BHRAC ?

• it is a nationwide mobilization program for human rights protection and advocacy at the barangay level.

• it is a barangay mechanism for access to justice which is jointly undertaken by CHR and DILG since 1992 thru protection and fulfillment/realization of human rights.

WHY IS THE NEED TO CREATE BHRAC ?• To enable access to human rights education by all people;

• To access the services of the Commission on Human Rights especially in far flung barangays;

• To provide human rights mechanisms whereby the human rights of barangay residents are respected, protected and fulfilled.

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BHRAC ?• Art. II, Sec. 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

• DILG Memo Circular No. 94-194 dated Oct. 27, 1994 which “enjoins all barangays to pass/adopt a resolution for the establishment of Human Rights Action Centers in Local Government Units.

• DILG Memo Circular No. 2006-45 dated May 11, 2006 “Revitalizing and Strengthening of the BHRAC Program

• CHR & DILG Joint Memo Circular No. 1, s. 2006 on October 6, 2006 on “Guidelines in the Conduct of Election of the Barangay Human Rights Action Officer in every Barangay nationwide

HOW WILL THE BHRAC OPERATE ?• It will be manned by a Barangay Human Rights Action Officer or BHRAO with the support of a Human Rights Support Group [HRSG] coming from varied sectors of the barangay.

HOW WILL THE BHRAO BE SELECTED ?• A barangay assembly meeting shall be the venue for selection of the BHRAO where the BHRAC shall be officially established and the BHRAO shall be elected by a simple majority vote of those present.

WHAT ACTION SHALL THE BARANGAY COUNCIL TAKE AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BHRAC & ELECTION OF THE BHRAO ?• The Barangay Council shall approve a barangay resolution designating the elected person to serve as BHRAO. This shall be disseminated in the barangay thru the Barangay Bulletin Board.

A. QUALIFICATIONS:• At least a high school graduate• Not less than 21 years of age• Must be a person of probity & integrity• Must not be an elected or appointed government official currently employed• Must manifest express commitment to the cause of human rights• Must be willing to undergo skills training to discharge BHRAO functions effectively

WHERE DOES THE BHRAO HOLD OFFICE ? WHERE WILL BHRAC BE LOCATED?• With assistance from the Punong Barangay and other officials, the BHRAC office shall be established preferably in the barangay hall, and in its absence, in any suitable place accessible to the people.

B.FUNCTIONS:1. Receive complaints of human rights

violations from barangay residents.2. Provide human rights information and

education on a regular basis.3. Coordinate with other agencies on

matters referred to him and referral of these to appropriate agencies.

4. Plan and implement mobilization activities that respond to human rights issues and concerns in the barangay.

“We can end the existing denial of justice if we can secure an administration of justice which shall be accessible to every person no matter how humble”

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!