COTABATO CITY(December 17) — The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has resolved 93 percent of 687 human rights cases and provided legal assistance to over 10,900 citizens in the past five years, strengthening human rights protection across the region, Chairperson Atty. Abdul Rashid Kalim announced Wednesday.
The milestone was marked during the culmination of Human Rights Consciousness Week, celebrating the BHRC’s transformation from a small agency with two provincial offices into a fully operational body with seven offices and four major divisions, reaching communities across Bangsamoro.
Institutional growth drives results
“Since 2020, we have institutionalized our processes by formalizing our Rules of Procedure, launching specialized GAD and Children Ombud Guidelines, and strengthening our network with civil society organizations,” Kalim said.
He added that the full operationalization in 2025 signals a successful five-year institutional build-up, but emphasized that the Commission’s work continues.
“As the Bangsamoro Government’s transition period concludes, this journey is only at the beginning. We remain committed to promoting, protecting, and fulfilling the human rights of the Bangsamoro,” he said.
Human rights as a shared responsibility
Commissioner Archie Buaya stressed that protecting human rights requires collaboration beyond institutions, sectors, and political lines.
“It demands moral courage, particularly when human dignity is challenged. Today’s ceremony should not be seen as an ending but as a renewal of our collective vow to build a Bangsamoro where rights are respected, justice is accessible, and accountability is upheld,” Buaya said.
Documenting justice and reconciliation
As part of the celebration, Kalim and Acting Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain unveiled the transitional justice documentation books, which detail human rights cases and the Commission’s legal assistance efforts. The initiative highlights BHRC’s ongoing role in promoting justice and reconciliation in the region.
The Commission’s five-year journey aligns with the BARMM’s enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda, aimed at expanding social protection services and ensuring that human rights remain a cornerstone of governance in Bangsamoro.
