Statement of Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit delivered before the Commitee on Justice House of Representatives 18th Congress, | G [T LR September 24, 2019 The Commission on Human against criminality. We functional, unbiased, Rights of the Philippines supports the government in its campaign do not want any crime to go efficient incorrupt justice and unpunished. system that A deterrent to crime guarantees is a certainty punishment for perpetrators through due process and rule of law, together with broad of public confidence. Reintroduction of the death penalty however is not the answer to rising criminality or to attain justice for all. We share with you our policy papers highlighting the government’'s commitments international human rights laws and treaties that uphold the right to life and to various prohibit the reimposition of the death penalty in our country: In Defense of the Right to Life: International Law and Death Penalty in the Philippines (March 2017). This study highlights International reintroduction the country’'s Covenant on of the death Civil commitment and Political to the Rights. penalty in any form freely accepted Findings Optional of the Protocol study in the Philippines will expose international ridicule and criticism as it breaches numerous rules that it expressly and Second to show the that the country to rules of international law, including in the free exercise of its sovereignty. Breach of international law by the Philippines in this context will undermine treaty commitments entered into by the Philippines. Human Rights Advisory on the Denunciation of and Withdrawal from International Treaties to Re-impose the Death Penalty (July 2017). The CHR reiterated that the Philippines, as a State party to the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and its Second Optional Protocol, must adhere to its commitments to ensure that no one in the States Party’s jurisdiction shall be executed and shall take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within its jurisdiction. Human The Rights Advisory on Overseas advisory interacting lists down with foreign reasons justice Filipino Workers why systems, foreign (OFWs) nationals particularly are on Death Row (October 2018). disadvantaged in jurisdictions with the abroad, death when penalty. The Philippines must, therefore, retain its position as a country against capital punishment and in doing so, will retain its ability and moral high ground to protect OFWs including those facing the death penalty. 75