CHR decries cruelty on detained activist Nasino

The cruelty of authorities on detained activist Reina Mae Nasino—who has remained in handcuffs and personal protective equipment during the wake and burial of her late three-month-old baby River—is deeply concerning and unacceptable, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said.

“The CHR is deeply concerned with how government authorities are handling the case of human rights worker Nasino,” CHR spokesperson lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

Nasino gave birth to her child while in jail, and was refused by the court twice to see her ailing daughter until the baby’s death.

The United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders or the Bangkok Rules explain that “decisions to allow children to stay with their mothers in prison shall be based on the best interest of the children”. However, until the last moment, three-month-old baby River was kept away from her mother,” de Guia said.

“As duty-bearers, we would have expected officers of the government to have put in mind the best interest of the child. Even in detention, persons deprived of liberty should not be subjected to any cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and that it remains to be a State obligation to respect their inherent dignity and value as human beings, in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners,” she added.

Nasino is undergoing trial for the non-bailable charges of alleged violation of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

CHR, however, said that the authorities should remember that Nasino remains to be an accused and thus, still presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

CHR also extended its sympathies to the family, especially to the Nasino, for the death of baby River. It is currently looking into the case, also considering that there are allegations that Nasino's detention is a form of harassment due to her human rights work.

Earlier in the day, around 20 policemen were deployed in front of the La Funeraria Rey in Pandacan, Manila and were allegedly barring people from visiting the wake.

Manila Police District spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Magno Manuel claimed supporters of Nasino were planning to conduct a rally alongside the burial of baby River.

"Actually, may intention sila na mag-rally," Manuel told GMA News Online.

He said the deployment of policemen in baby River's burial was to ensure that minimum health standards will be observed.

"Ang intensyon lang ng ating mga kapulisan is security sa area, kasi may mga ano nga 'yan nagrarally. Hindi mo dapat sinasabayan ng rally 'yung libing. Ang nangyari doon, sumunod 'yung ibang partido na nagrarally-rally doon so 'yung naging ano ng ating mga kapulisan, maimplement 'yung social distancing," Manuel said.

MPD Station 10 commander Police Colonel Jurits Rara said Nasino's supporters were starting the tension even before the burial.

As regards the information that the funeral car sped up, leaving the walking family members, Manuel said it was already beyond the control of the police officers.

"With regards sa karo kasi, hindi na control ng kapulisan 'yun eh," Manuel said.—Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA News