The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded the government’s participation in the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Philippines conducted by United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to evaluate various human rights issues in the country.
"With the Philippine government affirming the UN Joint Program on Human Rights in the recent UPR, we look forward to the fulfillment of the commitment to institute reforms not only prospectively, but also those from the past," the CHR said in a statement.
The CHR has underscored the importance of UPR and considered it an "important space" for civil and constructive dialogues that would advance the protection and promotion of human rights.
It cited the government for its efforts in improving the human rights condition in the country like those named by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus C. Remulla on the investigation of cases; decongestion of prisons; and protection of migrant workers, women, children, refugees, stateless persons, and persons of concerns.
"With caution and optimism, CHR is encouraged by the statement of Secretary Remulla on behalf of the entire Philippine government that recommendations by other UN Member States during the 4th cycle of the UPR of the Philippines will be studied carefully to help advance the national human right agenda of the present administration," the CHR said.
"We similarly note the commitment of the Philippine government to continue engaging with different stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the CHR, in addressing the said recommendations," it said.
"We hope that the reported reforms in the criminal justice system, dubbed as ‘Real Justice in Real Time,’ similarly address the recommendations of the CHR 2022 report on drug-related killings from the previous administration," it also said.
It said the CHR 2022 report “has been formally communicated to the Presidential Human Rights Committee and the DOJ for their consideration."
The CHR recalled that the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (UN-OHCHR) released a report in June 2020 on the human rights situation in the Philippines and highlighted the "persistent impunity" in the country with some 8,000 alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the government's illegal drug campaign, and killings of human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists.
While former Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra announced during the 44th session of the UNHRC that the government was already investigating the thousands of deaths linked to the drug campaign, the UNHRC offered to provide "technical cooperation and capacity-building initiative."
It said the cooperation came in the form of the UN Joint Program on Human Rights meant to improve six target areas: domestic investigative and accountability measures, data gathering on alleged police violations, the establishment of a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up, civic space and engagement with civil society and the CHR, counter-terrorism legislation, and human rights-based approaches to drug control.
TAGS: #CHR #UNHRC