The CARHRIHL is the first of four agreements in the substantive agenda of the formal talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The other items in the substantive agenda are on socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and on end of hostilities and disposition of forces.

The CARHRIHL was signed on March 16, 1998 in The Hague, The Netherlands and was approved on April 10, 1998 by NDFP National Council Chairperson Mariano Orosa and on August 7, 1998 by GRP President Joseph E. Estrada.