Ramento Project for Rights Defenders
The Ramento Project for Rights Defenders (RPRD) is a Church-based human rights program operated by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) for the cause of human rights especially for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).
Its human rights commitments are based on Christian principles and on universal and national human rights instruments. In the application of international instruments, RPRD observes the standards and processes of Rights-Based Approach (RBA).
History
The formation of RPRD started in 2008 as a joint initiative of Iglesia Filipina Independiente's Office of the Obispo Maximo and the South-Central Luzon Bishops’ Conference (SCLBC).
Over the years, the Church’s human rights work and solidarity with the struggling people resulted to the martyrdom of a number of its clergymen. They were killed by fascist elements or died while in the course of serving the people as human rights defenders.
On this regard, 3 names easily come to mind, that of Reverend Fathers Narciso Pico and William Tadena, and former Obispo Maximo, Archbishop Reverend Alberto Ramento.
RPRD is pursuing the martyrs' commitment to champion human rights by addressing the unresolved and multiple cases of human rights violations of extra-judicial killings, abductions, grave threats, illegal arrests, and legal persecutions.