PHILIPPINES SENATOR AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL ELECTED NEW PRESIDENT OF THE IPU COMMITTEE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

The IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians met at The House of Parliaments from18 to 21 January 2010. On that occasion, it elected a new President, Philippines Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel. During this session, the Committee examined the cases of 273 parliamentarians in 29 countries, including public cases in the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Eritrea, Iraq, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine/Israel, Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zimbabwe.

The new President of the IPU’s Human Rights Committee is an attorney by profession and a professor of law; he has been a fervent advocate of human rights for over two decades. He served as President of the Senate of the Philippines between 2000 and 2001, and is currently leader of the opposition in the Senate. Senator Pimentel is regularly quoted by the media, civil society and religious organizations for his commitment to human rights. He was himself imprisoned and detained under martial law in1973, 1978 and1983.

Senator Pimentel is the author and sponsor of several bills in his country and has published a number of works. Former mayor of Cagayan de Oro city, he was also appointed Minister of Local Government by President Corazón Aquino in 1986, and subsequently Presidential Adviser and Chief Negotiator with the Muslim rebels in 1987.

In addition to Senator Pimentel, the other members of the Committee present in Geneva were: the Committee’s Vice-President, Senator Rosario Green (Mexico), Senator Sharon Carstairs (Canada) and Senator Philippe Mahoux (Belgium).

The IPU assists legislators in representing their constituents freely and effectively. In 1976, it set up the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, which has since examined cases in over 100 countries and has often helped those under threat obtain protection or reparation. This can take various forms, such as the release of a detained parliamentarian, reinstatement of an MP to parliament, an inquiry into attacks, prosecution of the perpetrators of such crimes and payment of compensation.