INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (IHR)

About the Institute

The University of the Philippines Institute of Human Rights (UP IHR) is an academic legal resource institute that puts the protection and promotion of human rights at the center of its work. This covers a wide spectrum of issues such as political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights of people. It especially devotes attention to the needs of minority groups such as those coming from indigenous cultural communities and those coming from the lower brackets of the socio-economic divide (i.e. peasantry, laborers, urban poor, etc.), as well as to non-traditional areas (e.g. climate change, transitional justice and the like).

WHO WE ARE

ELIZABETH H. AGUILING-PANGALANGAN
Professor, UP College of Law

Director, IHR

Program Head, Children’s and Women’s Rights Programs Philippine Representative
ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

ATTY. GLENDA T. LITONG

Law Reform Specialist V Program Head, PWD Rights Program
Chairperson, Legal Education Board Technical Working Group on Disability Inclusion

DR. DANIEL D. LISING

Law Reform Specialist
Program Head, Right to Health Program

ATTY. RAYMOND MARVIC (ICE) C. BAGUILAT

Head Legal Officer
Program Head, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program

ATTY. JAMES GREGORY A. VILLASIS

University Researcher III
Program Head, Human Rights Standards and Mechanisms Program

MS. JESSICA B. CHICA

University Research Associate

MEMBERS OF STAFF

Administrative Staff

JOSEPHINE R. DELA CRUZ (Administrative Officer)

ROSEMARIE S. MARCIANO (Administrative Assistant)

MELIZA P. SERRANO (Administrative Aide)

JAMES B. PABLO (Administrative Aide)

Student Research Assistants

JENNE KENNT KEANNE B. ABALOS

TAMARA VIRGINIA P. DOMINGO

VERONICA DANIELLE A. FLORENDO

JANESSA MARI T. KUDERA

JAMELLE RENEE D. LEVISTE

MAIKO AIRA S. NG

MAYUMI ISABEL P. PARAS

MARIO ROMULO A. QUIMBO

KARL JIGO O. TAGORDA

SASKIA BERNICE C. TAN

Upcoming Events and Updates

UP Institute of Human Rights

WHAT WE DO

Over the years, the Institute has produced multiple research, studies, and publications on various human rights issues including proceedings of symposia and fora. It has also sponsored specialized training programs such as seminars, symposia, workshops, and other fora on human rights, in partnership with other human rights organizations. UP IHR also actively works with government agencies by rendering opinions regarding policy and legal questions on human rights.

Ultimately, UP IHR envisions to achieve an enabling environment in which individuals and communities enjoy and realize human rights to the fullest extent. In this endeavor, UP IHR is dedicated to the following objectives:

1. 1. 1. Stimulating research and publication in various specialized fields of human rights;
    2. Playing a key role in the development of a comprehensive human rights policy in the Philippines that addresses the exigencies of human rights protection and promotion;
    3. Digitization and expansion of UP Law Complex’s resources on human rights;
    4. Driving the development, promotion, and protection of human rights in the Southeast Asian region;
    5. Taking an active part in international networking for the promotion of human rights; and
    6. Institutionalizing student participation in its programs as a means of developing their skills and instilling the value of promoting public interest

The UP IHR has an extensive network of similarly academic centered institutions with focus on human rights as it is a member of the Southeast Asian Human Rights Network (SEAHRN), ASEAN University Network – Human Rights Education (AUN-HRE), and Asian Consortium on Human Rights-Based Access to Justice (HRBA2J). Outside of SeA, UP IHr is an affiliate institution of Hilc Identity Protection(CHIP), an NGO based in Geneva that promotes universal birth registration and full access to information on family relations.

PROGRAMS

Driven by its commitment to the full promotion and protection of human rights, UP IHR spearheads timely and relevant research, publication, training, and other academic-oriented programs that focus on contributing to the development of law and policy. High standards in their services require these activities to be responsive to the current social challenges and dynamic legal and law-related needs of Filipinos, firm in the imperative of upholding human dignity and integrity.

CHILD’S RIGHTS PROGRAM (CRP)

The Child’s Rights Program aims to promote the protection, empowerment, and well-being of children through research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building. Grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and national child protection laws, the program addresses key issues such as child abuse, online exploitation, juvenile justice, child identity, and access to education.

Under the program, the UP IHR has published numerous research on the rights of children and their specific challenges, contributing to national and regional discussions on child protection policies. It also conducts legal research on complex issues such as surrogacy and child identity and provides training for educators, social workers, and legal practitioners on child protection laws. Additionally, the program develops educational materials to enhance legal and social services for children.

The program also lends legal expertise to national policymakers by drafting position papers for Congress on child-related issues, ensuring that legislative measures align with human rights principles. Through public fora, and policy dialogues, it engages key stakeholders to strengthen child welfare policies. The program seeks to foster a safer, more inclusive environment where all children can meaningfully enjoy and exercise their rights.

RIGHT TO HEALTH PROGRAM (RHP)

The Right to Health Program (RHP) promotes research, policy advocacy, and public engagement on health-related human rights issues. The program focuses on critical issues, including access to universal healthcare, inequalities in the healthcare system, reproductive health rights, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

RHP has undertaken legal research and policy analysis on pressing health issues, including the discriminatory effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers, the impact of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, and the human rights implications of reproductive health policies. The program has also organized training seminars for educators and healthcare workers, policy fora on tobacco control, HIV/AIDS, and public consultations on ethical healthcare concerns.

The program disseminates its findings and advocacy through publications, infographics, and digital platforms, ensuring accessible and evidence-based discussions on health rights. By integrating legal research, advocacy, and policy development, RHP contributes to shaping a more equitable healthcare system that prioritizes human rights and public well-being.

DISABILITY EQUALITY AND JUSTICE PROGRAM (DEJP)

Empowering Persons with Disabilities to Shape a Just and Inclusive Society

The Disability Equality and Justice Program (DEJP) is committed to advancing the human rights of persons with disabilities by fostering their full participation in society, promoting dignity, and ensuring meaningful inclusion in all spheres of life. Rooted in the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and national laws like the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, DEJP aims to empower persons with disabilities to exercise their rights and overcome the systemic barriers that hinder their full participation and development.

At the core of DEJP’s work is the belief that true development for persons with disabilities can only be achieved when they have the capacity to access and enjoy their human rights—free from discrimination, neglect, or exclusion. The program tackles critical issues such as accessibility, employment, education, justice, and healthcare, while advocating for transformative legal, social, and policy changes that prioritize equality and justice.

Through comprehensive legal research, policy development, and capacity-building initiatives, DEJP addresses the critical gaps in disability rights protections. These include assessing the concepts of legal capacity, eliminating discriminatory practices in employment, breaking down barriers to legal and social services, ensuring accessible education, and strengthening judicial systems to support the rights of persons with disabilities. DEJP actively engages with persons with disabilities to ensure that their lived experiences and perspectives guide these interventions, ensuring that solutions are rooted in their realities and aspirations.

By actively advocating for legislative reforms and drafting policy recommendations, DEJP seeks to transform laws, structures, and systems to reflect a society that values the contributions of all its members. The program’s work is grounded in a critical analysis of the current context, emphasizing the need for persons with disabilities to be at the forefront of decision-making processes that affect their lives. This participatory approach ensures that interventions are not only effective but also responsive to the unique challenges that persons with disabilities face.

Collaboration with national and local government agencies, civil society, and the disability community is essential in building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities can thrive. By amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities, DEJP strives to create a society where all individuals—regardless of ability—are empowered to fully exercise their human rights, free from discrimination, and with equal opportunities for a better quality of life.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES LAW AND POLICY PROGRAM (IPLPP)

The UP IHR established the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program (IPLPP) to advance the rights and welfare of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and strengthen their access to justice, self-determination, the exercise of their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, and other rights, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The IPLPP integrates research, legal education, and policy advocacy and directly engages with IPs through legal consultations, provisions of integral IPs’ legal instruments, the development of instructional materials, and capacity-building workshops. The program also engages with international human rights mechanisms, contributing to global discussions on IP rights, submitting inputs to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (UN OHCHR), Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (SRIP). The IPLPP also organizes public forums on IPs’ challenges and advancements to broaden public discourse, fostering dialogue among IP leaders, legal experts, policymakers, and the public.

Additionally, it provides legal and policy advice to national policymakers and legislators through conversations, position papers, and policy recommendations to strengthen their mandate to promote and protect IPs’ rights. By bridging legal expertise with the lived experiences of IPs, the IPLPP informs and influences legal policies to foster an inclusive society that upholds and safeguards IPs’ rights.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS PROGRAM (WRP)

The Women’s Rights Program (WRP) aims to promote and protect women’s rights through research, policy advocacy, capacity-building, and legal empowerment initiatives by focusing on critical issues such as gender-based violence, discrimination, reproductive health rights, and access to justice.

WRP conducts legal research and policy analysis on challenges faced by women, including barriers to legal remedies for survivors of abuse, workplace gender disparities, and the impact of laws on women’s economic and social rights. The program also provides training for law enforcement, academic institutions, and community members while developing educational materials and advocacy tools to improve legal awareness and protection for women.

The program collaborates with government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and international partners such as UN Women to drive policy reforms and strengthen legal safeguards for women’s rights. WRP actively engages stakeholders in promoting gender-responsive laws and an inclusive legal system that ensures women’s full participation in society, free from discrimination.

HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS AND MECHANISMS PROGRAM (HRSMP)

The Human Rights Standards and Mechanisms Program (HRSMP) aims to pursue the effective implementation of human rights norms and standards in the Philippines through research, policy advocacy, extension activities, and capacity-building. The program focuses on strengthening national compliance with international human rights obligations and improving the effectiveness of human rights institutions.

HRSMP conducts legal research and policy analysis on the application of international human rights treaties, the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs), and key challenges in human rights protection. It provides training for government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, law enforcers, and the general public on human rights standards, treaty obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. It also participates in consultations on State and NHRI reports to UN treaty bodies and provides legal expertise to policymakers to support NHRI reforms and strengthen human rights protections. Through a series of consultations, roundtable discussions, and fora, the program aims to foster dialogue and collaboration to enhance human rights protection at both national and regional levels.

THE LAW CENTER

Institute of Human Rights (IHR)

The Institute of Human Rights (IHR) is an academic legal resource institute that puts the protection and promotion of human rights at the center of its work. This covers a wide spectrum of issues such as political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights of people. It especially devotes attention to the needs of minority groups such as those coming from indigenous cultural communities and those coming from the lower brackets of the socio-economic divide (i.e. peasantry, laborers, urban poor, etc.), as well as to non-traditional areas (e.g. climate change, transitional justice and the like).

Driven by its commitment to the full promotion and protection of human rights, IHR spearheads timely and relevant research, publication, training, and other academic-oriented programs that focus on contributing to the development of law and policy. High standards in their services require these activities to be responsive to the current social challenges and dynamic legal and law-related needs of Filipinos, firm in the imperative of upholding human dignity and integrity.

Over the years, the institute has produced multiple researches, studies, and publications on various human rights issues including proceedings of symposia and fora. It has also sponsored specialized training programs such as seminars, symposia, workshops, and other fora on human rights, in partnership with other human rights organizations. IHR also actively works with government agencies by rendering opinions regarding policy and legal questions on human rights.

Ultimately, IHR envisions to achieve an enabling environment in which individuals and communities enjoy and realize human rights to the fullest extent. In this endeavor, IHR is dedicated to the following objectives:

Stimulating research and publication in various specialized fields of human rights;
Playing a key role in the development of a comprehensive human rights policy in the Philippines that addresses the exigencies of human rights protection and promotion;
Digitization and expansion of UP Law Complex’s resources on human rights;
Driving the development, promotion, and protection of human rights in the Southeast Asian region;
Taking an active part in international networking for the promotion of human rights; and
Institutionalizing student participation in its programs as a means of developing their skills and instilling the value of promoting public interest

IHR has an extensive network of similarly academic centered institutions with focus on human rights as it is a member of the Southeast Asian Human Rights Network (SEAHRN), ASEAN University Network (AUN), and Asian Consortium on Human Rights-Based Access to Justice (HRBA2J).

For more information on the Law Center, download the brochure here.

Contact Information

Phone: (+632) 8 920 5514 loc. 205
Fax: (+632) 8 925 5854
Email: ihr_law.upd@up.edu.ph

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