Gov't claims UN human rights review of RP successful
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines successfully defended its human rights record at the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review in Geneva last Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs claimed Thursday.
A statement on the DFA website Thursday night said the HRC considered the report of the UPR Working Group on the Philippines, which delivered its UPR report last April.
"The Philippines' constructive and transparent engagement with the UPR process was warmly welcomed by the HRC Member States that spoke during the Session," the statement said.
It also said that several States had commended the Philippines for having made voluntary commitments and for carefully considering recommendations to improve human rights arising from the UPR.
Philippine action and leadership was recognized in areas such as the rights of women and children, migrant workers, poverty alleviation, social amelioration and the abolition of the death penalty,” the statement said.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Erlinda Basilio, said the Philippines had always attached the highest priority to the protection and promotion of human rights.
Basilio said the Philippines "gladly welcomed the opportunity to undergo the UPR, both in order to present an objective assessment of the human rights situation in the country, and to strengthen the UPR process as a key instrument of this Council in advancing human rights on a global scale."
"The Philippines was one of the countries deeply involved in the establishment of the HRC, which succeeded the former U.N. Commission on Human Rights. It had played a lead role in elaborating the UPR procedure, which is aimed at promoting human rights on a global scale in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner," the DFA said.
It said Basilio recalled that the Philippines had made significant voluntary commitments during its Revoew last April, as follows:
* To develop a gender-responsive approach, especially to protect children and women;
* To further develop domestic legislation to better protect the rights of the child;
* To continue to address the issue of extrajudicial killings; and
* To meet the basic needs of the poor and other vulnerable sectors.
Basilio also advised the HRC of the steps the Philippines was taking to address each of these commitments and provided information with respect to recommendations and questions that had been raised during the Philippines' Review.
She emphasized that the Philippines neither engages in nor encourages torture or extrajudicial killings of any kind, and is taking strong measures to stop their occurrence.
The Philippine Government, on its own initiative, will continue to take resolute and concrete steps to address extrajudicial killings and other forms of political violence, she said.
Other major human rights issues discussed included protecting the rights of migrants.
"Ambassador Basilio advised the HRC, in this regard, that the Philippines is hosting the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development and called on more countries to join the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families," the DFA said.
She outlined proactive Philippine policies to alleviate poverty and to assist vulnerable groups to secure their economic and social rights.
"The Philippine Government will continue to welcome civil society as a partner in human rights, including in the follow-up to the UPR and the Second Philippine Human Rights Action Plan," the DFA said.
Basilio said the Philippines will keep in mind the results of the UPR as it continues to strengthen its institutional and policy responses.
She pledged the Philippines "continuing strong support for the UPR process, and our confidence that it can further contribute to the effective implementation of human rights standards on the ground, where it matters most, as all countries seek to ensure greater enjoyment of human rights to their peoples." - GMANews.TV
A statement on the DFA website Thursday night said the HRC considered the report of the UPR Working Group on the Philippines, which delivered its UPR report last April.
"The Philippines' constructive and transparent engagement with the UPR process was warmly welcomed by the HRC Member States that spoke during the Session," the statement said.
It also said that several States had commended the Philippines for having made voluntary commitments and for carefully considering recommendations to improve human rights arising from the UPR.
Philippine action and leadership was recognized in areas such as the rights of women and children, migrant workers, poverty alleviation, social amelioration and the abolition of the death penalty,” the statement said.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Erlinda Basilio, said the Philippines had always attached the highest priority to the protection and promotion of human rights.
Basilio said the Philippines "gladly welcomed the opportunity to undergo the UPR, both in order to present an objective assessment of the human rights situation in the country, and to strengthen the UPR process as a key instrument of this Council in advancing human rights on a global scale."
"The Philippines was one of the countries deeply involved in the establishment of the HRC, which succeeded the former U.N. Commission on Human Rights. It had played a lead role in elaborating the UPR procedure, which is aimed at promoting human rights on a global scale in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner," the DFA said.
It said Basilio recalled that the Philippines had made significant voluntary commitments during its Revoew last April, as follows:
* To develop a gender-responsive approach, especially to protect children and women;
* To further develop domestic legislation to better protect the rights of the child;
* To continue to address the issue of extrajudicial killings; and
* To meet the basic needs of the poor and other vulnerable sectors.
Basilio also advised the HRC of the steps the Philippines was taking to address each of these commitments and provided information with respect to recommendations and questions that had been raised during the Philippines' Review.
She emphasized that the Philippines neither engages in nor encourages torture or extrajudicial killings of any kind, and is taking strong measures to stop their occurrence.
The Philippine Government, on its own initiative, will continue to take resolute and concrete steps to address extrajudicial killings and other forms of political violence, she said.
Other major human rights issues discussed included protecting the rights of migrants.
"Ambassador Basilio advised the HRC, in this regard, that the Philippines is hosting the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development and called on more countries to join the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families," the DFA said.
She outlined proactive Philippine policies to alleviate poverty and to assist vulnerable groups to secure their economic and social rights.
"The Philippine Government will continue to welcome civil society as a partner in human rights, including in the follow-up to the UPR and the Second Philippine Human Rights Action Plan," the DFA said.
Basilio said the Philippines will keep in mind the results of the UPR as it continues to strengthen its institutional and policy responses.
She pledged the Philippines "continuing strong support for the UPR process, and our confidence that it can further contribute to the effective implementation of human rights standards on the ground, where it matters most, as all countries seek to ensure greater enjoyment of human rights to their peoples." - GMANews.TV
Comments