The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged the Philippine government to increase its efforts to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially after a Filipino was executed in Saudi Arabia over a murder case.
In their statement, the CHR expressed condolences to the family of the executed Filipino and said the tragic event shows the limits of what the Philippines can do to save citizens in countries with the death penalty.
“The right to life is a basic human right that goes beyond borders, but it still depends on the laws of foreign countries,” the CHR explained.
The CHR also called on the Philippine government to make sure OFWs’ rights are protected even when they are working in other countries. They acknowledged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for trying to defend the executed Filipino and ask for clemency.
To prevent future tragedies like this, the CHR said it’s important to provide stronger legal support for OFWs and to strengthen ties with host countries. This includes making sure OFWs have access to fair legal help and that justice systems follow international human rights standards, like the right to a fair trial.
Although the death penalty is still used in some countries, the CHR believes that all justice systems should give people a chance to change, not just focus on punishment.
