HUMAN rights lawyer Laisa Masuhud Alamia has formally assumed as chairperson of the newly-established Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after being sworn in by acting ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman.
Alamia’s appointment was signed by President Benigno Aquino, III on February 07.
The RHRC was established last year following the enactment of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act 288 otherwise known as the “ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of 2012”.
The acting ARMM chief said the subtleties of human rights in an area like the region can be best tackled by someone with Alamia’s competence and background.
Alamia’s track record on human rights work in different parts of Mindanao is commendable.
Alamia is the former program manager and one of the founders of Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro (Women for Justice in the Bangsamoro), a human rights group based in Mindanao who actively engage in women issues and rights advocacy with particular reference on Islamic views.
She was also a program coordinator and board secretary of the Bangsamoro Lawyer’s Network (BLN), a member of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC).
Human rights cases in ARMM spring mainly from the on and off armed conflicts and prevalence of several armed groups in the region.
Alamia said women empowerment and gender issues will be among the RHRC’s top agenda.
She is joined in the RHRC by fellow lawyer Alikhan Abuat, who took oath on the same day as a commissioner.
