to disregard the same. It merely seeks to inquire if climate change impacts human rights and,
if so, whether the “carbon majors” (and other duty bearers) have a responsibility therefor.
Inquiry Process
The national inquiry process consists of: research and data gathering (site visits, fact-finding
missions, community dialogues, and consultations with experts and other National Human
Rights Institutions); public hearings; and developing recommendations.
Community dialogues, in particular, seek to gather anecdotal evidence from individuals on the
impacts of severe/extreme weather disturbances on their communities.
The Commission has already conducted activities vital to the ongoing inquiry, such as factfinding missions in Tacloban, Tanuanan, Libon, and Ilagan. The Commission is currently
conducting more of these fact-finding missions and community dialogues within the first half
of 2018.
Apart from the hearing this 27-28 March at the CHR Session Hall in the Commission’s central
office in Quezon City, the succeeding hearings are expected to proceed as follows:
Date
23-24 May 2018
19-20 June 2018
29-30 August 2018
24-28 September 2018
16-17 October 2018
05-09 November 2018
11-12 December 2018
Venue
CHR Session Hall
CHR Session Hall
CHR Session Hall
New York (exact venue TBA)
CHR Session Hall
London School of Economics
CHR Session Hall
Commissioner Cadiz notes that the inquiry hearing process shall be dialogic, rather than
adversarial, without sacrificing due process of law. “The inquiry, it is hoped, would result in
the improvement and/or development of measures to further protect and promote human rights
in this era of climate change,” Commissioner Cadiz said. ■
Commonwealth Avenue, U.P. Complex, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
Tel. Nos. (02) 294 8704; (02) 925 3886