PH AFFIRMS DEDICATION TO GLOBAL COLLABORATION WITH UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR’S VISIT ON FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION

MANILA — The upcoming visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, to the Philippines signifies the country’s unwavering commitment to open and sincere cooperation with international partners, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as announced on Saturday.

Khan is scheduled to arrive in the country on January 23 and will conclude her visit on February 2.

In a statement, the DFA emphasized that this visit underscores the Philippines’ dedication to open, sustained, and sincere collaboration with the United Nations and other bilateral and regional partners. It serves as a testament to the country’s promotion of a human rights-based development agenda, good governance, and its active role in strengthening global norms that uphold human rights and dignity.

Notably, Khan is the third Special Rapporteur to visit the Philippines within 14 months. The previous visits were by SR for the Sale and Exploitation of Children, Fatimah Singhateh, in November 2022, and SR for Climate Change and Human Rights, Dr. Ian Fry, in November 2023. In February 2023, SR for Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, also had an academic visit to the Philippines.

The engagement with UN Special Rapporteurs includes meetings with Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat. The most recent meeting occurred in July 2023 on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The DFA affirmed that the Philippines engages in good faith with international human rights mechanisms and supports funding for cooperation to enhance human rights capacities in developing countries.

The statement highlighted the Philippines’ pride in its human rights agenda, developed over decades and across various administrations, which has established crucial benchmarks for the protection and promotion of the rights of marginalized communities, including migrant workers, women, children, indigenous peoples, refugees, stateless persons, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

The DFA anticipates that Khan’s visit will provide her with the opportunity to witness the government’s transparent and progressive agenda in promoting and protecting freedom of speech and expression.

(el Amigo/MNM)