Shattered Peace in Mindanao: the human cost of conflict in the ...

38 Shattered Peace in Mindanao: The human cost of conflict in the PhilippinesIn 1988, in a report entitled “Unlawful Killings by Military and Paramilitary Forces”,Amnesty International documented unlawful retaliatory killings involving civilianvolunteer organizations. If vigilante groups continue to emerge, the Philippines mayfind itself once again in a situation where vigilantes attacked with impunity civilianswhom they suspect to have ties with Muslim separatists or other groups whom theyconsidered as “rebels”.7. RecommendationsAmnesty International makes the following recommendations:To both parties to the conflictThe Philippine security forces and the MILF should publicly undertake to observe, inall circumstances, the provisions of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions,Additional Protocol II and other provisions of international humanitarian lawapplicable to non-international armed conflicts. As a minimum, both parties should atall times treat humanely persons taking no active part in the hostilities in accordancewith these rules. The Philippine government and the MILF should clarify both to theircommanders and to their rank-and-file that no violations of international humanitarianlaw or human rights abuses will be tolerated.Amnesty International urges all parties to the conflict to ensure that independentimpartial, prompt and thorough investigations are conducted into all allegations ofhuman rights violations and infringement to humanitarian law committed by securityforces, MILF combatants and other armed groups acting on their behalf.The Philippine government and the MILF must immediately remove any personssuspected of perpetrating violations of international law from positions and situationswhere they might continue to perpetrate abuses.To the Philippine Government• Put an immediate and unconditional halt to all violations of internationalhuman rights and humanitarian law by the security forces and aligned militias,including indiscriminate attacks and other unlawful killings, and destructionand pillaging of houses and crops;• Ensure that suspected perpetrators, including persons with commandresponsibility, are brought to justice, in proceedings which meet internationalstandards of fairness• Grant reparations to victims of violations of international law in accordancewith international standards, including restitution, compensation,AI Index: ASA 35/008/2008 Amnesty International October 2008: