Wednesday, February 6, 2013

MILF: BLMI-BDA conduct training on “Human Rights, Mediation and Conflict Resolution”

From the MILF Website (Feb 7): BLMI-BDA conduct training on “Human Rights, Mediation and Conflict Resolution”

In line with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) new focus on infusing skills to its members from armed combat training to various fields of knowledge and skills training, the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) jointly conducted the first ever training on human rights, mediation and conflict resolutions to twenty (20) male participants coming from various entities of the MILF last January 27-31, 2013 at the BLMI Training Center, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The activity was part of the series of human capacity building program lined-up at the training center and funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This training was aimed at capacitating the participants on basic human rights as contained in the Philippine Constitution, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the international principles on human rights enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations; mediation process; and on resolving conflicts. It was also intended to provide awareness to the participants on human rights protection, its violations normally perpetrated by men in uniform.

The first day of training centered on “Empowering Dispute Resolution and Management Process (EDRMP) with Ms. Marides Virola- Gardiola of the Center on Humanitarian Dialogue-Philippines (CHD) as the speaker. She is the author of a book “Taking Peace into their Hands”.

She delved on conflicts, sources of conflict and analysis of conflicts. She described conflict as direct/physical violence; cultural violence; and structural violence. The latter pertains to laws enacted, but sometimes repressive to the people resulting to discontent, unrest and conflict. One participant said that in Mindanao, “The settlements put-up by the government aggravated the situation as it marginalized the native inhabitants and all laws passed pertaining to it were oppressive”. Ms. Gardiola said that to resolve structural conflict there is need for strong legislative advocacy and amendments of laws.

From the 2nd day to the 4th day, the topics were about conflict resolution and mediation. Mr. Kalmie Abdulhassad, a CHD Mediation Staff from Jolo, Sulu narrated their experiences on mediation in conflicts at Sulu; how they successfully resolved many “rido” or clan disputes. He presented their process called “Tumikang Sama Sama (Moving Forward Together). Mr. Abdulhassad said that they were able to settle 20 conflicts since 2010 with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units and well-respected community elders in Sulu.

Another speaker, Mr. Edilberto “Evhoy” Villaruel, Mindanao Coordinator of the Community Organizers Multi-Diversity intelligently discussed about conflict resolution, mediation and its procedures. He described the importance of communication skills in mediation and resolving conflicts to address miscommunication that will further aggravate the dispute.

Diplomacy, patience and flexibility on the part of the mediator are a must.

The topic of human rights was discussed on the last day of the training by Mr. Makakua M. Buat of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRac). Mr. Buat is a law graduate and was accompanied by Mr. Akas Parinding, MinHRac member. He dealt substantially on the aspect/principles of human rights which is a universal guarantee protecting individuals and groups against actions by governments that interfere with fundamental freedom and human dignity. He described human rights as collective rights, one that guarantees self-determination for community of people especially those that suffer wanton discriminatory acts from lawful authorities or states; and individual rights. Like the issues previously discussed, the participants actively participated as the subject matter was so interesting.

The 5-day training was indeed a success. On hand to facilitate and oversee the flow of the activities were Ustadz Abdulsalam Alabat, Mr. Ahmad Mama and Mr. Omsar Paradan, all members of the BLMI’s Steering Committee; Mr. Zamin Unti, Administrative Officer and Mr. Basser Ayob, Project Coordinator.

The activity ended with a short closing program with reactions/messages from participants representing the regions where they came from and distribution of certificates. In their short remarks, Uz. Alabat, Mr. Mama and Mr.Unti thanked the participants for their active participation in the entire duration of the training. Atty. Zainuddin Malang, Executive Director of MinHRac delivered a short but inspiring message. He exhorted the participants to give importance to basic human rights, respect, protect them and avoid violating peoples’ rights.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3081:blmi-bda-conduct-training-on-human-rights-mediation-and-conflict-resolution&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

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