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MANILA, Philippines – Despite opposition from an international human rights organization, the Philippines has managed to re-elect for a seat on the Human Rights Council of the Philippines. United Nations, composed of 47 members.
The Philippines, which will finish its fourth term on the board this year, will be re-appointed for three years until 2021.
It's one of 18 countries, including five from the Asia-Pacific region, which competed unopposed for the seats that are expected to remain vacant this year.
Malacañang praised this inclusion as an acknowledgment of the country's position on the protection of human rights and zero tolerance for abuse.
Salvador Panelo, spokesman for the presidency and senior legal adviser, said that this only served to show that the UN was supporting the Philippines' "gigantic" fight against illicit drugs, which he called " dragon of destruction ".
"The community of nations has seen the threat of drugs as a global problem that requires the utmost attention to fight it with force and to create a united front against the purveyors of its proliferation across the world's borders. The Philippines is at the forefront of this gigantic fight and is leading the way in defeating the dragon of destruction, "he said.
"The President's Campaign Against Illicit Drugs, Corruption and Crime has in fact been recognized by the international community as essential to the protection of the right to life, liberty and property of all peaceful and law-abiding citizens. our state. "
The Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN in New York and the new Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro Locsin Jr., led the Philippine delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, where members voted for new board members Friday night (Manila time).
The Philippines received 165 of the 192 votes cast, the second largest and the lowest – with Bahrain – in the Asia-Pacific region. Other countries in the region were India (188), Fiji (187) and Bangladesh (178).
Eritrea, in the African Group, received the smallest number of votes with 160.
Burkina Faso (183), Togo (181), Cameroon (176) and Somalia (170) from Africa were also elected. Bahamas (180), Uruguay (177) and Argentina (172) of the Americas; Italy (180), Austria (171) and Denmark (167) from Western Europe; and Bulgaria (180) and the Czech Republic (178) from Eastern Europe.
In the absence of competition for the seats, the candidate countries only needed 97 members or a simple majority of the 193 UN members to get a new mandate at the HRC.
The outgoing foreign secretary, Alan Peter Cayetano, welcomed the re-election of the Philippines, saying it was a justification for the Duterte administration's fight against illicit drugs.
"Our election to another term on the Human Rights Council would not have been possible without the support of other UN member states who have clearly understood where they are from." we come, "he said in a statement.
"Our successful attempt to maintain our seat on the Council is proof that many members of the international community remain convinced that the Philippines respects and protects human rights and has succeeded, through their efforts, in politicizing and transforming human rights. the problem, "added Mr. Cayetano.
He congratulated Evan Garcia and his permanent representatives to the Philippines at the UN in Geneva.
The Commission on Human Rights has also welcomed the country's re-election to the Human Rights Council, saying it is pressuring the Philippine government to deal with numerous allegations of human rights violations. . According to the spokesperson of the CHR, Jacqueline de Guia, she allegedly committed extrajudicial executions.
"The credibility of the Philippines to join this body lies in its ability to take concrete steps to respond to these allegations, in accordance with its mandate to promote, protect and fulfill the human rights of all, not just a few people" , she says.
De Guia stressed that "the CHR will continue to fulfill its mandate of assisting the UN in monitoring the human rights situation on the ground as an independent national human rights institution. the man in the country ".
One day before the vote, Human Rights Watch (HRW), a New York-based human rights organization, called on UN member states not to vote for the Philippines because of alleged violations of human rights.
"UN member countries should show their indignation in the Philippines and Eritrea by leaving two blank spots on the voting sheet and removing them from the board," said HRW Director for the United Nations Louis Charbonneau , without mentioning the violations committed in Bahrain and Cameroon.
The group claimed that more than 12,000 suspected drug traffickers and drug users had been shot dead since Duterte took office in July 2016.
Cayetano on Friday criticized HRW and other human rights organizations, including Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, for campaigning against the Philippines, saying the opposition of these groups was solely due to the fact that the country had helped reveal their moral bankruptcy.
He added that these groups are noisy because they are looking for more funding.
"In reality, they are for the legalization of illicit drugs and it's a big deal. Whether it is the legalization of marijuana, the legalization of cocaine, heroin, etc., it is a multi-billion dollar business. It's the hypocrisy that the Philippines opposed during the HRW, "said Cayetano.
He also criticized Iceland, which is at the forefront of a group of countries that have repeatedly criticized allegations of human rights violations in the Philippines, and reversed the role of the European country by accusing it of facing domestic violence problems.
Magdalo's party representative, Gary Alejano, criticized the Philippines' victory in a seat on the Human Rights Council, which was odd considering the thousands of people killed in the fight against illicit drugs.
Phl Commitments
In their note verbale to the United Nations General Assembly, the Philippines highlighted the strong tradition of human rights advocating its candidacy. It also noted achievements in the field of human rights, including the adoption of legislation and the implementation of policies protecting women and children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and indigenous peoples. migrant workers.
The country also praised achievements in the areas of human security, education, health, social services, labor and the environment.
He made 12 promises and voluntary commitments in the event he won a new term on the board, including working with states and stakeholders in a constructive manner to foster dialogue and cooperation within the board.
The Philippines also promised to continue to "strive to bring human rights goals, norms and strategies closer together at the national, regional and international levels" and to "strengthen the implementation at the national level of all obligations and programs arising from human rights treaties, particularly with regard to the eradication of extreme poverty, respect for the rule of law and the rule of law achievement of internationally agreed development goals ". – With Christina Mendez, Rhodina Villanueva, Emmanuel Tupas
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