The Philippines has called for the protection of children’s rights to a healthy and sustainable environment.
Aileen Mendiola-Rau, the country’s representative to an intergovernmental commission on human rights in Southeast Asia, made the appeal as she stressed the importance of children’s empowerment to prevent the violation of such rights.
During the 10th session of the Children’s Rights and the Environment in Thailand, she said the regional bloc must employ a more encompassing lens in addressing challenges faced by this vulnerable group.
She said “there has been a growing understanding of the basic human right to a healthy environment” as well as “the need to keep the best interest of the child at the center of our joint efforts to achieve a sustainable future."
“The vital role that children themselves can play in identifying, advocating for, and implementing solutions” is being understood as well, Mendiola-Rau added.
Before representatives from Southeast Asian nations, Mendiola-Rau also pushed for recommendations that will promote and protect the rights of children.
These included the strengthening of advocacy work; providing access to justice and effective remedies; engaging the legislative and judicial bodies; and ensuring cross-pillar and cross-sectoral efforts.