The CHR and Its Mandatein the Promotion of Gender Equality & Women Empowerment 1 CHAPTER I: The Commission on Human Rights and Its Mandate in the Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment T he Commission on Human Rights is an independent constitutional body and is the national human rights institution in the country, created by virtue of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. It was organized and made operational pursuant to Executive Order 163, series of 1987, and in accord with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) and other United Nations Resolutions and Instruments pertaining to the effective functioning of national human rights institutions. The 1987 Constitution granted the Commission the following powers and functions: (1) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights; (2) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for contempt for violation therefore in accordance with the Rules of Court; (3) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection; (4) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities; (5) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights; (6) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families; (7) Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights; (8) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority; (9) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions; (10) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with the law; and (11) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. CHR MANDATE ON GENDER EQUALITY As an independent human rights institution and compliant with the Paris Principles1 on National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), the Commission 1 The Paris Principles (‘Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions’) set out the minimum standards required by national human rights institutions to be considered credible and to operate effectively. The Paris Principles, as they became commonly known, identify six criteria that national human rights institutions should meet in order to be effective, including: a clearly defined and broad-based mandate based on universal human rights standards; autonomy from government; independence guaranteed by legislation or the constitution; pluralism, including membership that broadly reflects their society; adequate resources; adequate powers of investigation. CHR Gender Ombud Guidelines