At least 50 bikers from various agencies have joined the “Ride for your Rights” event to commemorate the International Human Rights Day in the region on Sunday.

Led by the Youth for Human Rights International- Eastern Visayas, the Advocacy Bike Ride started at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regional office in this city, passing through the new Leyte Capitol, MacArthur Memorial Park, and ended at the Boys Scout Monument in Palo town.

CHR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Desiree Pontejos said the event aimed to remind everyone of their rights and should respect each others’ rights.

Pontejos said human rights abuses in the region went down in recent years. She did not provide statistics though.

“We are happy that filed cases on human rights abuses were minimized in recent years. I encourage everyone to inculcate and uphold the value of human rights,” Pontejos added.

Also attending the event are policemen and officials from the Hands Off Our Children Movement-Eastern Visayas, a group advocating against the recruitment of minors by the New People’s Army (NPA).

The activity ended with the signing of a manifesto of support by the participating government agencies and non-government organizations.

The manifesto states that the group strongly condemns the human rights abuses of the NPA, calls for justice for victims of communist atrocities, and a declaration to stop the killings by the communist armed rebels. (PNA)