ENGAGING IDPs ON THEIR BASIC RIGHTS TOWARDS DURABLE SOLUTIONS

In providing support to attaining a favorable protection environment in BARMM, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society-Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) and IDP Protection Teams, in partnership with AECID/EU and UNHCR, engaged the internally displaced person(s) on their basic rights and conducted Awareness on Durable Solutions at Barangay Labungan, Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality, Province of Maguindanao Del Norte on April 29, 2024.

Concerning Transitional Justice and Durable Solutions in the context of Mindanao, one of the best supports for the ongoing peace process is the assurance of IDP rights protection, addressing their issues and concerns and focusing on their early recovery and mitigation measures to prevent displacement.

The forced internal displacement in the Barangay was due to Land Conflict, Flooding, and Harassment. Recent displacement was reported on April 5, 2024, because of the sightings of unidentified armed men specifically in the Sitios of Mamaen and Kirag that caused families to evacuate and shelter themselves in the Barangay Hall of Labungan, DOS, MDN.

The families slowly returned home, even though uncertainty existed days after the incident. It was learned that no assistance was given to the sheltered families in the barangay hall.

The timely collaboration of monitoring and evaluation of the Protection Teams is an opportunity for the affected participants to ask questions and to share their expectations and ideas on Parliament Bill No. 32, also known as “An Act Protecting The Rights Of Internally Displaced Person Of The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Providing Mechanisms Therefor And For Other Purposes”.

Ms. Julie E. Esmael, IDP Protection Project Officer, and Ms. Khairia Kansang, CBCS-SUBATRA Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, led interactions and deliberations. Violations and abuses that happen during times of displacement are some of the common scenarios mentioned by BHRC Commissioner Archie Buaya whose agency was mandated to protect displaced persons.

The CBCS Protection Teams aim to strengthen Internally Displaced Persons’ Awareness of Basic Rights during displacements and emphasize the Importance and Support of the Passage of the BARMM IDP Bill toward achieving Durable Solutions.

By:   Jamaheria G. Compania
Communications and Advocacy Officer
IDP Protection Project