Règle correspondante
Philippines
Practice Relating to Rule 142. Instruction in International Humanitarian Law within Armed Forces
Section A. General
The Joint Circular on Adherence to IHL and Human Rights (1991) of the Philippines provides:
These provisions [among which the relevant provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions] shall be integrated into the regular Program of Instructions for AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and PNP [Philippine National Police] troops/police information and education sessions in all levels of command/office.
Philippines, Joint Circular on Adherence to IHL and Human Rights, 1991, § 3(d).
The Guidelines on Human Rights and Improvement of Discipline in the AFP, issued in 1989 by the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), states:
The nature of human rights violations including its legal implications and consequences should be inculcated repeatedly to the troops. The rule of law and respect for the dignity of man which are the foundations of human rights should be emphasized in conferences, seminars, dialogues, troop information sessions, and regular training courses.
Philippines, Ministry of National Defence, Office of the Chief of Staff, Guidelines on Human Rights and Improvement of Discipline in the AFP, 2 January 1989, § 2(3).
An order issued in 1995 by the President of the Philippines provides:
The Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Justice and the Department of National Defence are hereby directed to include, as an integral part of the continuing education and training of their personnel, the study of human rights as conducted by the Commission on Human Rights. Said human rights education and training shall also include the various international treaties and conventions on human rights to which the Philippines is a party.
Philippines, The President, Memorandum Order No. 259, Requiring Human Rights Education and Training of Law Enforcement, Police, Military and Prison Personnel, 7 February 1995.
According to the Report on the Practice of the Philippines, which refers to a publication of 1996, subjects or courses dealing with international conventions, agreements, declarations or covenants on human rights and IHL ratified by the Philippines or of which the Philippines is a signatory are to be included in the curriculum of the armed forces of the Philippines and of the Philippine National Police.
Report on the Practice of the Philippines, 1997, Chapter 6.6, referring to Human Rights Curriculum for AFP/PNP, Unit 2 Course No. 8: Your Rights and the Rights of Others in Times of Armed Conflict, cited in R. P. Claude, Educating for Human Rights: The Philippines and Beyond, 1996, p. 256.
