Commission on Human Rights chairman Jose Luis Martin Gascon has passed away following his bout with COVID-19, his family announced Saturday. He was 57.
“Of all the fights you’ve fought, it was COVID that defeated you! Love you Kuya. Rest in Peace Chito Gascon,” said Gascon’s brother, Miguel, in a Facebook post.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in a statement, described Gascon’s leadership as “inspirational and nurturing.”
“At a time of unprecedented human rights challenges, Chair Chito courageously and steadfastly upheld the constitutional mandate of the Commission,” de Guia said.
“Amid the unrelenting attacks against the institution and to him personally, he was unwavering and unflinching in fighting for the universal values of freedom, truth, and justice that are essential in the pursuit of human rights. He was undaunting in the fight for human rights, rule of law, and democracy out of deep reverence to the equal rights and dignity of all.”
She said the Commission en banc (would continue to function with Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit as officer in charge.
The United Nations in the Philippines described Gascon as an extraordinary leader and strong defender of democracy and human rights.”
“A remarkable human rights defender, he played a leading role in negotiating the UN Joint Program on Human Rights. Chairperson Gascon was fiercely committed to ‘dignity of all,’ and was outspoken on issues ranging from vaccine equality to protection of civic space. He emphasized that the work for human rights, institutions, rule of law and change is a continuing effort, and he stressed the importance of investment in youth to build a better and more peaceful future,” the UN office said in a separate statement.
Gascon was appointed CHR chair in 2015. Prior to that, he served as a member of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board.
Gascon also served as the youngest member of both the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution.
“Since Martial Law, Chairperson Gascon has continued his unwavering advocacies in the field of human rights; access to justice and the rule of law; transparency and accountability initiatives; political and electoral reforms; peace and conflict transformation; people’s participation and civic education; and state-building in the context of democratic transitions,” the CHR said.
Gascon graduated from the University of the Philippines with an undergraduate degree in philosophy, then later earned a bachelor of laws degree from the same university. He has a master of law degree in International Law (Human Rights, Law of Peace, and Settlement of International Disputes) from Cambridge University.