RULE V: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS Section 1. Equal Protection Before the Law. With due recognition of the ICCs/IPs’ distinct characteristics and identity, the State shall accord to members of the ICCs/IPs the rights, protections and privileges enjoyed by the rest of the citizenry. The NCIP shall ensure that fundamental human rights and freedom are guaranteed to all members of the ICCs/IPs as already accorded to every member of society. Section 2. Rights During Armed Conflict. The ICCs/IPs have the right to declare their territories as zones of peace and to special protection and security in periods of armed conflict. The NCIP shall ensure that international standards are observed for the protection of civilian populations in circumstances of emergency and armed conflict, particular, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. Accordingly the State shall not: a) Recruit children of the ICCs/IPs into the armed forces under any circumstance; b) Conscript or recruit ICC/IP individuals against their will to the armed forces, and in particular for use against other indigenous peoples; c) Relocate ICC/IP communities to special centers for military purposes; d) Force ICC/IP communities, families or individuals to abandon their lands, territories, or means of subsistence; and e) Require indigenous individuals to work for military purposes under discriminatory conditions. In consultation with the ICCs/IPs who are victims of armed conflict, the NCIP in collaboration with national and international specialized agencies shall implement an integrated emergency program for the victim families’ and communities’ relief and rehabilitation. Such integrated program shall take special attention on the impact of armed conflict activities to the indigenous children’s psycho-social functioning and development. Section 3. Freedom from Discrimination. ICCs/IPs are free and equal to all other individuals in their dignity as human beings and shall be free from any kind of adverse discrimination for reason of their indigenous origin or identity. The NCIP shall ensure that every member of the ICCs/IPs is accorded full respect as valuable citizens of the Republic of the Philippines. The NCIP shall take special measures to ensure the effective protection with regard to the recruitment and conditions of employment of persons belonging to the ICCs/IPs to the extent that they are not protected by laws applicable to workers in general. Section 4. Right to Employment. a) The right of members of ICCs/IP communities to employment includes the right to: (1) Be free from any form of discrimination, with respect to recruitment and conditions of employment; (2) Enjoy equal opportunities for admission to employment, both skilled and unskilled; (3) Just and legal remuneration of work for equal value; (4) Medical and social assistance, occupational safety, social security and any other occupationally related benefits, including housing; (5) Freedom of association and freedom for all lawful trade union activities including the right to conclude collective bargaining agreements with employers; (6) Be informed of their rights and privileges under existing labor laws and to avail for equal protection of these rights; Page 19