A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019.^[1] The law established the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, with specific obligations to be decided by the regional parliament.^[2]Additionally, the law obligates the Bangsamoro Government to protect religious freedom^[3] and local customs,^[4] as well as labor organization and bargaining.^[5]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

^[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 7.

^[3] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 5.

^[4] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 4.

^[5] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 10.

A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019.^[1] The law established the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, with specific obligations to be decided by the regional parliament.^[2] In addition, the law obligates the Bangsamoro Government to protect religious freedom,^[3] local customs,^[4] as well as labor organization and bargaining.^[5]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

^[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 7.

^[3] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 5.

^[4] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 4.

^[5] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 10.

The BBL was signed into law by President Duterte on July 26, 2018.^[1] The law established the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, with specific obligations to be decided by the regional parliament.^[2]  In addition, the law obligates the Bangsamoro government to protect religious freedom,^[3] local customs,^[4] as well as labor organization and bargaining.^[5]

[1] “President signs Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Country Reports, July 30, 2018.

[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 7.

[3] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 5.

[4] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 4.

[5] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IX, Section 10.

In 2017, the BBL was not passed by Congress.

Congress adjourned in early February, 2016 without approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).^[1] The BBL was not passed in 2016.

[1] “Philippine leader to talk shelved Bangsamoro law at ASEAN,” Anadolu Agency, February 15, 2016.

Discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law initially stalled after clashes with the MILF and government police forces on January 25.^[1] In 2015, Congress deliberated changes to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but failed to pass the law in 2015.

In 2015, extrajudicial killings, child labor, torture, and disappearances remained common. The year also saw forced relocation and increased attacks against indigenous people by the military and paramilitary groups.^[2]

^[1] “Philippines suspends autonomy discussions after rebels kill policemen,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 26, 2015.

^[2] “Philippines: Events of 2015,” Human Rights Watch, 2015.

In the General Framework of Agreement of Intent (1998) and Agreement on Peace (2001), both parties affirmed their commitment to observe the principles of human rights in accordance with the Charter of the UN and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2014, extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances remained common in the Philippines. However, the scope and frequency of these abuses has declined since 2010 when Aquino took office. The year also saw strides towards accountability with investigations and arrests of human rights abusers.^[1]

The General Framework of Agreement of Intent, Agreement on Peace, GPH-MILF Decision Points, and Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro stipulates the respect for human rights in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft guarantees the following rights in Bangsamoro: right to life, dignity, freedom and expression of religion and beliefs, privacy, freedom of speech, express political opinion and pursue democratically political aspirations, seek constitutional change by peaceful legitimate means, of women to meaningful political participation and protection from violence, freely choose residence, equal opportunity and non-discrimination, establish cultural and religious associations, freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment, right to redress grievances and due process of law, and right to free public education in elementary and high school levels. ^[2]

It further called for respect for all human rights in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian standards: “The rights under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other international humanitarian rights instruments shall be guaranteed by the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government.” ^[3]

The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft was first presented to President Aquino in April 2014, ^[4] to be submitted and approved by Congress. On August 20, the MILF submitted a final draft of the BBL to President Aquino,^[5] which he submitted to Congress on September 10.^{[6] [7]} Though Congress immediately began reviewing the BBL, the bill failed to pass in 2014.      

^[1] “World Report 2015: Philippines, Events of 2014,” Human Rights Watch, 2015.

^[2] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article IX, Section 1.

^[3] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article IX, Section 2.

^[4] “Philippines to fast-track review of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.

^[5] “Final Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Philippine President,” Xinhua General News Service, August 21, 2014.

^[6] “Philippine president submits law on Muslim south to Congress,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2014.

^[7] “Philippine report gives details of draft autonomy bill submitted by president,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 11, 2014.

A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. ^[1] The United Bangsamoro Justice Party, a political party of MILF, continued to be a legally registered political party and campaigned for the ratification of the BBL.^[2]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

^[2] “MILF political party to focus on plebiscite, stay out of May 2019 polls, Philippines Star, October 8, 2018.

A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. ^[1] The United Bangsamoro Justice Party continued as a legally registered political party and campaigned for the ratification of the BBL.^[2]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

^[2] “MILF political party to focus on plebiscite, stay out of May 2019 polls, Philippines Star, October 8, 2018.

A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. ^[1] The United Bangsamoro Justice Party continued to be a legally registered political party and campaigned for the ratification of the BBL.^[2]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

^[2] “MILF political party to focus on plebiscite, stay out of May 2019 polls, Philippines Star, October 8, 2018.