The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty falls on the 6th day of the 60day countdown to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Amnesty International paved the way again for the commemoration of this day through another Riders With A Cause: Small Places Tour Caravan. Fifty motorcycle riders from District 1 Rider Club – Manila and Jet Riders Philippines, together with 100 individuals traversed the busiest streets of Quezon City going to the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to relay the message that poverty is not inevitable.
Amnesty International Philippines served free “lugaw” to some 500 people in a caravan stop over at the Bonifacio Shrine. AI Philippines said that they believe that hunger due to poverty indirectly curtails the full participation of people in civil and social processes.
“When people living in poverty have full stomachs, they will be able to think, speak out and be heard. Only then will the vicious cycle of poverty and human rights abuse be broken.” said Amnesty International Philippines Campaign Coordinator, Wilnor Papa.
Amnesty International urged governments to adopt policies that enable people living in poverty to be part of decision-making, as well as better analyzing how human rights violations drive and deepen poverty. AI also added that a key focus of this year’s International Day is ensuring that people living in poverty are at the centre of discussions about solutions.
“When decisions are made without even consulting with the people whose lives are most impacted, it makes the eradication of poverty ultimately less possible.” added Papa.
Amnesty also stated that there is an urgent need for the Philippines government to dismantle barriers which obstruct people’s access to education, health care, food, clean water and sanitation.
“The government must immediately and realistically address discrimination against people who endure human rights violations and who have the least access to justice, including indigenous people, women, children and people with disabilities.” concluded Papa.