Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer
The human rights group Karapatan today denounced the banning of 'Rights,' a series of public service advertisements on human rights by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
"It is clear as day that this is censorship and that the MTRCB is acting as the Arroyo administration's censorship body," said Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer of Karapatan.
Karapatan said that the MTRCB's X rating on 'Rights' is a form of violation of freedom of expression and the right to information because it prevents the public from viewing the film and being informed about the inviolability of their rights.
Cervantes said, "The independent film makers merely gave a visual expression to what is in the news and what is really happening in the country – the spate of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and generally the sorry state of human rights violations. Now the MTRCB says it's not fit for public viewing. This is like martial law."
Karapatan questioned the basis of MTRCB for saying that it undermines duly constituted authorities. "That guideline constitutes prior restraint. The public service ads have in fact wanted to bring to the attention of the public that accountability in government and the rule of law should be restored. Moreover, the film intends to make criminals liable, which falls under the MTRCB's guidelines that films should not glorify criminals and condone crime."
The MTRCB, which was created during the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos is still in effect a censor's board, and clearly contravenes freedom of speech and expression enshrined in our Constitution and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Karapatan said it will continue to support efforts of artists and film makers in their initiatives to espouse the worthy cause of human rights and said they will join them in the fight against censorship and repression.
"It is clear as day that this is censorship and that the MTRCB is acting as the Arroyo administration's censorship body," said Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer of Karapatan.
Karapatan said that the MTRCB's X rating on 'Rights' is a form of violation of freedom of expression and the right to information because it prevents the public from viewing the film and being informed about the inviolability of their rights.
Cervantes said, "The independent film makers merely gave a visual expression to what is in the news and what is really happening in the country – the spate of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and generally the sorry state of human rights violations. Now the MTRCB says it's not fit for public viewing. This is like martial law."
Karapatan questioned the basis of MTRCB for saying that it undermines duly constituted authorities. "That guideline constitutes prior restraint. The public service ads have in fact wanted to bring to the attention of the public that accountability in government and the rule of law should be restored. Moreover, the film intends to make criminals liable, which falls under the MTRCB's guidelines that films should not glorify criminals and condone crime."
The MTRCB, which was created during the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos is still in effect a censor's board, and clearly contravenes freedom of speech and expression enshrined in our Constitution and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Karapatan said it will continue to support efforts of artists and film makers in their initiatives to espouse the worthy cause of human rights and said they will join them in the fight against censorship and repression.
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