Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla has assured the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) of the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen domestic human rights mechanisms.
The Philippine Mission in Geneva, Switzerland said in a statement that Secretary Remulla personally conveyed the assurance during his meeting with UN’s Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif last Oct. 4.
“In particular, Secretary Remulla highlighted the reforms of the Department of Justice in decongesting prisons and the release last month of 371 detainees that had served their sentences from prisons throughout the country,” the Philippine Mission said.
“He informed that the DOJ will continue such releases and also take measures to strengthen the witness protection program,” it added.
During the meeting, the Philippine Mission said “Ms. Al-Nashif recognized the efforts of the Philippines to address issues, such as enhancing accountability, engagement with the UN, and human rights-based approach to drug control.”
“Both SOJ Remulla and Ms. Al-Nashif noted the good momentum in the work of the UN Joint Program on Human Rights -- a three-year technical cooperation program between the Philippine Government and the UN that supports domestic institutions in their ongoing human rights protection and promotion programs,” it said.
Remulla is currently leading Philippine delegation which will participate in the Oct. 5, 2022 Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Philippines in the UN Human Rights Council and the revalida on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on Oct. 10 and 11 in Geneva.
The DOJ secretary is with Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia; DOJ Undersecretaries Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres and Raul T. Vasquez; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Kira Danganan Azucena; Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Delegate Maria Teresa T. Almoquela; and other officials from the DFA and Department of Finance (DOF).
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