HUMAN RIGHT ADVISORY ON THE ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY CHR-A2005-004 There are sixteen measures pending in the House of Representatives proposing to abolish the death penalty law, R.A. 7659 as amended by R.A. 8177. On the other hand,there are also previousbills filed in the House of Representatives to enlarge the coverage of the death penalty law in view of the gruesomekillings and upsurge of other grievous crimes. The Commission on HumanRights stands four square in favorof the abolition of the death penalty law. Theglobal trendis for the abolition of death penalty in the statute books of nations who adhere to the humanitarian principles of the United Nations andbelieve in the sanctity oflife. The Commission on HumanRights, an independent bodycreated by the Philippine Constitution to protect and promote humanrights, advocates and advances the abolition of Death Penalty for being violative of the fundamental humanright — the right to life, which was clearly acknowledged and avowed in our very own Constitution, to wit: Article III Sec. 1 “No person shall be deprivedoflife, liberty and property without due process of law, nor any person be denied the equal protection of laws.” Article II Sec. 11 “The State values the dignity ofevery human person and guaranteefull respectfor humanrights.” Article III. Sec. 19 “Excessive fines shall be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already imposedshall be reducedto reclusion perpetua.” The Universal Declaration on HumanRights, Convention Against Torture and other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishmentand the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the Philippinesis a state party, likewise prohibits the infliction of any kind of physical or mental pain as a form of punishment, viz: 41