PAHRA was established on August 9, 1986 in a Congress that was participated in by more than a hundred organizations from all over the country. Among its founding members are organizations and individuals who were in the forefront of the struggle against the Marcos Dictatorship.
The establishment of PAHRA was in consolidation of the human rights movement in the country and an acknowledgement of the role played by the human rights organization in the anti-dictatorship struggle. It was a recognition of the need for an organization that will act as a formal venue for cooperation and coordination among human rights groups in the country.
From its founding in 1986, PAHRA has consistently been in the forefront of struggle for human rights. Today, it has established itself not only as one of the major human rights formations but one of the leading voices in human rights advocacy in the country.
Since its founding in 1986, Pahra serves as an advocacy center and has been involved in the following campaigns:
Campaign against militarization which calls on the government to stop massive military operations that cause massive displacement of civilians and violations of peoples rights.
Campaign for justice which calls for the release of all political prisoners and a stop to the practice of charging political offenders with common crimes. The campaign also calls on the government to surface victims of enforced and involuntary disappearances and works for the indemnification of victims of human rights violations.
Campaign against state repression is aimed at preventing the government from imposing laws that infringe on the peoples basic rights.
Campaign against development agression is focused on violations of human rights and destructive effects caused by so-called "development" projects.
Campaign for the abolition of the death penalty which aims for the repeal of Republic Act 7659.
PAHRA also actively supports the Moro people and the indigenous peoples struggle for self-determination. It is also involved in the campaign for electoral reforms.
PAHRA is mandated by its member-organizations to actively coordinate the programs of its member-organizations. It also serves as a forum on human rights issues and concerns. It is tasked to engage in intensive advocacy work and to conduct lobby work both at the national and international levels.
To accomplish its work, the alliance has formed the following standing committees:
Campaign Coordinating Committe
This body is in charge of implementation of alliance-wide campaigns. It coordinates the activities of member organizations and also sets up committees or task forces to address pressing human rights issues.
Human Rights Education and Information Coordinating Committee
This committee is the venue for the sharing of expertise and training of human rights workers and advocates belonging to member organizations of PAHRA. It is also the venue for coming up with standard modules for human rights education.
Research and Documentation Coordinating Committee
Aside from coordinating research work of various organizations, this committee is also in charge of standardizing systems for monitoring and documentation of human rights violations.
Relief and Rehabilitation Coordinating Committee
Coordinates relief and rehabilitation services as well as other forms of assistance to victims of human rights violations. Among its major beneficiaries are the internal refugees.
Lobby Coordinating Committee
This committee is tasked to develop and pursue a legislative agenda for the whole alliance in recognition of the need for a continuing dialogue between government and the human rights community. It is also in charge of coordinating the lobby efforts of members in the various branches of government.
PAHRA sits as one of the two NGO members of the Presidential Human Rights Committee. It also provides resource persons to the Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights of the House of Representatives and the Philippine Senate.
International Affairs Committee
This committee actively engages in international solidarity work. It also assists member organizations in projecting their issues in the international human rights community. It is in charge of developing PAHRA's Agenda at the UN and in recommending positions that should be taken by the alliance on international issues affecting human rights.
PAHRA links up with the international human rights community not only to solicit support for Philippine issues but to extend whatever help it can for the advancement of the struggle for human rights.
The coordination of these committees is the task of the PAHRA National Secretariat. It is headed by the Secretary-General who is assisted by two Deputy Secretaries-General, Liaison Officers and Staff of the Secretariat.
