Phl seeks seat in UN human rights council

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines announced the country’s candidacy to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period 2016-2018.

At the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland last March 3, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia made the announcement and requested the support of international partners for the Philippines’ bid.

Garcia delivered the country statement and stated that the administration of President Aquino was built on a strong foundation of respect for human rights and highlighted the Philippines’ steady progress in fulfilling international human rights obligations.

He updated the council on the government’s actions to implement recommendations stemming from its Universal Periodic Review (UPR), among others:

• creation of a high-level inter-agency committee to solve verified cases of extra-legal killings;

• passage of the Martial Law Compensation Act;

• strengthening of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act;

• enactment of the Domestic Workers Act and ratification of ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers;

• improvements to the penal system; and

• strengthening of child protection measures.

Garcia recalled the Philippine tradition of promoting and protecting human rights stemming from the beginnings of its membership in the UN system, to the peaceful 1986 EDSA People Power revolution up to the present day.

In relation to democratic transitions and other recent developments, he called for “sobriety and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

Garcia thanked the international community for its solidarity with the Philippines and the Filipino people in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

He underscored the vulnerabilities of countries like the Philippines to natural disasters caused by climate change, which has severe impact on the human rights of individuals and communities.

“The Philippines will continue to voice out concerns about climate change and the imperative of international responsibility and cooperation... and ensure that climate change and human rights shall remain on the agenda of the Human Rights Council,” Garcia said.

He also informed the council of the “irreversible momentum of securing a just and lasting peace in Mindanao” and the signing in the near future of a final Comprehensive Peace Agreement on the Bangsamoro, noting that the government’s peace efforts “promote human rights... strengthen national unity as well as set the stage for more inclusive development.”

As a steadfast advocate for enhancing migrant workers’ rights, regardless of their status, the Philippines called for greater ratification by destination countries of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families as “a core international human rights treaty.”