HUMANITY AMIDST CONFLICTS WELCOME REMARKS HON. CECILIA RACHEL V. QUISUMBING Commissioner Commission on Human Rights Comm.Cecilia Rachel V. Quisumbing welcomed all the guests and participants to the Summit — the members of the diplomatic corps, Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, the representatives from the Civil Society groups and her fellow decades. Commissioners from the CHR. armedconflict. Comm. Quisumbingsaidit is noticeable that the “The right to education and the right to culture day’s gathering was not only a gathering of are not only damagedby armed conflict but they governmentorganizationsbutofdifferent sectors are now protected under international of society becauseit is a recognition thatit is not humanitarian law. So not only the civilians and only government, such as the military and police, non-combatants are protected; but, as we see that has a role in respecting and promoting IHL. under IHL, basic installations such as water Butit is a result of about 40 years of utilities, electricity utilities, medicalfacilities but “The Commission on Human Rights has long also any building related to religion, any objects recognized the link between the international related to culture and education are supposedto humanitarian law and human rights. For be respected. instance, whenthere is armed conflict, one ofthe rights that is most threatenedis therighttolife, “We in the Philippines know that IHL plays an the rightto the basic services that is so necessary importantrole in peace building. And as we are to protect life, such us clean water, medical hoping to move forward, with two peace services, food and even food production. The processes with the CPP-NDF and with MILF, we right to security ofpersonis ofcourse very much hope that with greater compliance with IHL, both under threat. The right to development and sides andallparties will build confidence in each decentliving are among the mostaffected. We other and may build a deeperfoundation and a can see that in our southern Philippines where stronger grounding before actually reaching a not only is there a lack of economic investment lasting peace agreement. Only by the humane because people are afraid ofputting their money treatmentofeach other, regardlessofdifferences where they might find themselves bombed but in ideology and_ also where one of the biggest industries that religion or ideas of how government should be employs people and our young people are respected. Even in armed conflict, ifwe treat each actually the insurgency groups. It is something other humanely, then we are still human that we do not want to continue in the next separating ourselvesfrom basicinstincts. regardless of differences in