Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

A State Prosecutor’s View on Extrajudicial Killings: An Introduction of Cases | A Human Rights Colloquium | 3 November 2015

Details

The Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman will be hosting a public colloquium on human rights, “A State Prosecutor’s View on Extrajudicial Killings: An Introduction of Cases,” on 3 November 2015, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Seminar Room, Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. The colloquium is free and open to the public. 

The speaker for the colloquium is Atty. Peter Ong, Senior State Prosecutor, Department of Justice, Philippines. 

About the topic: Every human being does have the right of physical and psychological integrity – this is a central concept of human rights. We speak of a human right violation if either of the same integrities is harmed without legal grounds by state actors or agents of the state, or by non-state actors who are practically granted impunity due to the state’s neglect of its general obligation to protect its citizens or populations under its jurisdiction against offenses against their physical and psychological integrity, their property, or other fundamental freedoms.

Both vertical and horizontal forms of political violence such as extra-judicial killings (EJKs) appear to be rather constant features in the Philippines. The persistence of the problem often is explained with reference to distorted checks and balances. 

Ong’s presentation of headways and constraints pertaining to the legal struggle against impunity is based on several cases of alleged extrajudicial killings currently on his desk.

About the speaker: A Senior State Prosecutor working with the Department of Justice for more than 15 years, Atty. Peter L. Ong is handling several cases of alleged extrajudicial killings. This includes the Benjamin Bayles case, which is internationally highly visible and, at this time, probably the most advanced case in terms of prosecution.

Serving as reactor is Prof. Sarah Raymundo, Center for International Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman. 

Seating is first-come, first served, but the organizers would appreciate it if interested participants can send an e-mail expressing their intent to come: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The Asian Center offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. The Center offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. The Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website. View recent and upcoming Lectures & Conferences and read other News & Announcements. Join our mailing list.