In September this year, through the generous support of the Peter Mack and Jamie Mayerfeld Fund, I had the privilege of facilitating a two-day workshop on records management, archives, and digital preservation with Karapatan and other human rights organizations in Quezon City, Philippines. The workshop was an important space to reflect on how recordkeeping practices can sustain movements for justice and how archival work intersects with political struggle in very concrete ways.
Their presence was a powerful reminder that archives are not abstract but are lived legacies of struggle, grief, and persistence.
Karapatan was formed in the mid-1990s but its roots trace back to the dark days of Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. During that period, grassroots organizers, lawyers, and families of the desaparecidos came together to document abuses and support victims seeking justice. Since then, Karapatan has remained at the forefront of human rights advocacy in the Philippines. Its members have documented political killings, enforced disappearances, and other grave violations during successive administrations. Today, their work continues as they monitor and defend victims of the “war on drugs,” as well as activists and community leaders facing intimidation and persecution.
The workshop brought together full-time staff and volunteers, many of whom carry personal histories of resistance. Some participants were family members of Martial Law victims who continue to fight so that the atrocities of the past are neither forgotten nor repeated. Their presence was a powerful reminder that archives are not abstract but are lived legacies of struggle, grief, and persistence.
What matters most is not simply compliance with global standards, but the urgent task of protecting sensitive information and safeguarding the people behind the records.
Participants after successfully completing the two-day workshop.
Over the two-day workshop, we talked about international frameworks and standards in records management and archival practice. Much of this guidance, which is rooted in Western archival traditions, emphasizes consistency, accountability, and long-term preservation. While these principles are useful, they do not always align with the realities of human rights workers in the Philippines. Here, documentation often happens under immense political pressure, with scarce resources, and in environments where safety is not guaranteed. What matters most is not simply compliance with global standards, but the urgent task of protecting sensitive information and safeguarding the people behind the records.
In fact, Karapatan members have already developed their own systems of recordkeeping shaped by these contexts. They prioritize security by carefully protecting the personal information of victims and witnesses, while ensuring that evidence of abuses is preserved for advocacy and legal defense. What emerged from our discussions is that while the practices are strong, there is still a pressing need to formalize and unify them across offices and affiliated organizations. Consistency in how cases are documented, stored, and accessed can help strengthen both advocacy and accountability, especially as evidence is used in legal proceedings and international reporting.
For me, this workshop reinforced the idea that archives are deeply political. They are not neutral repositories of information but living infrastructures of memory and justice.
Another urgent concern raised during the workshop is the lack of physical resources. Records are often kept in modest conditions, with limited storage space and exposure to environmental risks such as flooding or humidity. Participants agreed that improving infrastructure would make a significant difference in ensuring the longevity and safety of their collections.
Despite these challenges, the energy and commitment of the participants were inspiring. They came prepared to share experiences, ask difficult questions, and imagine better systems for the future. Even as heavy rains fell outside, and while the country was abuzz with news of corruption investigations involving political leaders, they devoted their time and attention to this workshop. Their active participation reflected both their resilience and their recognition that recordkeeping is vital to their mission.
For me, this workshop reinforced the idea that archives are deeply political. They are not neutral repositories of information but living infrastructures of memory and justice. The records Karapatan holds are not just administrative files; they are testimonies of suffering, courage, and struggle. To manage them responsibly is to honor the trust of victims and their families and to strengthen the movement for human rights in the Philippines.