The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Thursday that the human rights of Maguindanao massacre suspects, who are detained in General Santos City and Davao City, are not violated as they face charges for their alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of 57 people including 30 media workers.

In a Manila forum held last Thursday, CHR Chairperson Leila De Lima said the human rights of all parties concerned must be respected as the world keeps watch on the developments in the case.

“We won’t sleep on it. We have to stay vigilant so Maguindanao massacre never happens again. But we have to make sure the government is doing the right thing,” De Lima was quoted as saying as the CHR would want to help serve justice swiftly.

De Lima herself is personally leading an “independent inquiry” into the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 persons including 30 journalists in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

CHR spokesperson Marie Cruz said their teams are closely monitoring developments such as the proceedings against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. in Quezon City and the custody of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Also, the CHR is looking into “human rights issues” involving Zaldy, who is detained at Camp Fermin G. Lira Jr. in Gen. Santos City and Ampatuan Sr., who is under hospital arrest in Davao City.

Zaldy and Ampatuan Sr. were arrested since when President Arroyo imposed martial law to stabilize peace and order in the region.

There were reports that no witness identified Zaldy as one of the gunmen and no testimony has been presented attesting that he took part in the Maguindanao massacre.