Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
Delivered by Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc
19 June 2024
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines acknowledges the contribution of the UN Joint Programme on Human Rights or UNJP under Council resolution 45/33 to the improvement of the human rights situation in the country.
In its three-year implementation, the UNJP has opened up spaces for constructive engagement between the Government, the UN, civil society, and the Commission to rebuild a culture of human rights in the bureaucracy through policy reform and capacity-building, particularly in the six key areas of concern identified at the start of the Program.
Although gains have been achieved through the UJNP, these remain incomplete especially since the program, which is set to end next month, is short on clarity regarding how its progress or the reforms initiated through it can be sustained.
Unresolved extrajudicial killings in the last eight years and the issue of red-tagging or the branding of human rights defenders as terrorists remain matters of serious concern. In view thereof, we encourage the State to focus on these issues and ensure that the gains attained through constructive collaboration will be continued in the newly created special committee on human rights coordination.
The Commission remains an indispensable partner of the UN, the Philippine Government, and civil society in achieving the noble objectives of the UNJP.
Excellencies, we call on this Council to continue monitoring the situation in the Philippines and supporting the Government to implement and sustain policy reforms that will translate into norm-abiding practices and overall improvement in the enjoyment of human rights of all Filipinos and persons in the country.
Maraming salamat po.