Republic of the Philippines

NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION

10
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National Youth Parliament
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RESOLUTION NO. NYP10-01
Series of 2014
A RESOLUTION URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE
PHILIPPINES AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ON THE PEACE PROCESS
TO PROVIDE GENUINE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE PEACE PROCESS AT
ALL LEVELS AND PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND WELL-BEING OF DISPLACED
YOUNG PEOPLE IN AREAS AFFECTED BY ARMED CONFLICT AND
NATURAL/MAN-MADE CALAMITIES
______________________________________________________________________
by: Committee on Participation
WHEREAS, in the Declaration of Policies and State Principles particularly Section 13
Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is provided that the state recognizes the
vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth
patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs;
WHEREAS, the United Nations (UN) has also, through its various resolutions, programs
and commitment of resources, recognized the important role that youth play in the
development of the world in which they live. The UN Action for Youth Agenda requires
that the youth voice should be increased through meaningful representation,
participation in community and political decision making bodies;
WHEREAS, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that
everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom without discrimination of any kind, such
as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions;
WHEREAS, Article 11 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
provides the protection of PWDs in the event of armed conflict and natural/man-made
calamities;
WHEREAS, the National Youth Parliament affirms the right to life and liberty as well as
the freedom of expression as enshrined in Sections 1 and 4, Article III of the 1987
Philippine Constitution as foundation of active youth participation;
WHEREAS, despite these aforesaid rights, there is continued abuse and persecution
because of differing political convictions as a result of the continuing conflicts between
the Government and insurgents particularly against vocal youth leaders;
WHEREAS, Paragraph 64 of the Colombo Declaration states that governments should
recognize and increase the role young people, especially young women, play in conflict
prevention, peace building, conflict resolution, post-conflict reconciliation and
reconstruction efforts;
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National Youth Parliament
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WHEREAS, Paragraph 68 of the Colombo Declaration also states that governments
should increase opportunities in education and employment for all youth, especially
those affected by armed conflicts;
WHEREAS, Paragraph 70 of the Colombo Declaration further states that governments
should Promote inclusive and effective postconflict rehabilitation and reintegration
policies, programs and mechanisms recognizing and dealing with the underlying causes
of conflict;
WHEREAS, Paragraph 71 of the Colombo Declaration specifies that governments
should develop policies and programs to identify and address factors that put young
people at risk of engaging in crime and prevent youth violence;
WHEREAS, Paragraph 72 of the Colombo Declaration stipulates that governments
implement a wider range of options that pursue restorative justice for the children or
youth in conflict with the law instead of imprisonment, and pursue other similar
measures outside the criminal justice system;
WHEREAS, Paragraph 73 of the Colombo Declaration urges that governments should
strengthen and promote the role of young people and youth organizations in building
peace in their communities, countries and regions;
WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act of 1995
recognizes that the youth sector is a vital component on community development, giving
equal opportunity such as livelihood, youth services and other avenue of treatment (i.e
psychological, physical) for those youths who were victims of arm-conflict and illegal
recruitment;
WHEREAS, Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination Act, which concerns the youth victim not in legal age,
the rights of the child should be implemented and the different services of the
government and other non-government organization will be available for the protection
of the child;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the role of the youth being seen as one of the primary
stakeholders in the peace process and disaster response should be guaranteed by the
Philippine government that their representation are at the frontline of all these efforts:
the institutionalization of targets and deliverables on the promotion and realization of the
peace process in the country;
BE IT RESOLVED, that in the pursuit of carrying the concerns of the youth in the entire
Philippines, there shall be equal and genuine representations of stakeholders and
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National Youth Parliament
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sectors involved in peace processes, talks, negotiations, and any legal undertakings
concerning matter that is of national concern;
BE IT RESOLVED, that in pursuit of peace in the country, a genuine consultation and
fairness in deliberation of opinions and perspectives shall be observed;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Parliament of Youth Leaders on its 10
th
session rejects the
gross violations on the rights of youth leaders and other victims of political persecution
which, in turn, is a blatant attack on youth participation;
BE IT RESOLVED, the Parliament of Youth Leaders on its 10
th
session enjoins the
Government, the insurgents and other involved actors to uphold the rule of law to fully
and freely participate in the political and democratic processes;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the rehabilitative efforts of the Philippine government for
displaced young people and young women due to armed conflicts and natural/man-
made calamities should include safe and accessible spaces for counselling and
psychosocial activities; temporary shelters; and a comprehensive needs assessment
survey which includes a consultative and feedback mechanism for the aforementioned
stakeholders;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Philippine government should provide capacity building and
economic opportunities for affected young people and young women in order that they
can be self-sustaining and empowered in times of armed conflicts and natural/man-
made calamities;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Philippine government should engage the recruited victims
in armed conflict and natural/man-made calamities in the social integration and
transformation of the community and the country as a whole.
BE IT RESOLVED, that discrimination and any kind of maltreatment of young people
and young women should be prohibited
BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Chairperson and members
of the 10
th
NYP to approve a resolution urging the Congress of the Philippines and
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to provide genuine youth
participation in the peace process at all levels and promote the welfare and well-being
of displaced young people in areas affected by armed conflict and natural/man-made
calamities.
Republic of the Philippines
NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION
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National Youth Parliament
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ADOPTED this 17th day of May 2014 at Manila, Philippines.
Certified by:
(Sgd.)
RAPONCEL D. ABUEG
Secretary General
Approved by:
(Sgd.)
FARAHNAZ A.GHODSINIA
President