DFA Updates Diplomatic Corps on Human Rights-Related Issues

11 June 2018 — As part of preparations for the 38th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs updated members of the diplomatic community on Friday, 01 June on human rights-related issues in the Philippines.

The DFA said the briefing, which was undertaken by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, is a follow-up to the first diplomatic briefing on human rights that was held on 8 March.

“It aims to foster better dialogue with Philippine counterparts, promote greater transparency, and update them on relevant government programs that are in line with the Duterte Administration’s people-centered agenda and its implementation of the country’s international human rights commitments,” Undersecretary Manalo said.

Foreign delegations listened to the relevant updates from Philippine agencies, such as the Inter-Agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs (ICAD), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA),

Also present in the briefing were representatives from the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Office of the President (OP).

In a video presentation, ICAD shared updates on the Philippine government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Relevant data were presented, such as the number of anti-drug operations conducted from July 2016 to May 2018, which totaled 99,485; the number of drug personalities arrested, which was 143,335; and the number of drug personalities who have died in the course of anti-drug operations, which was 4,279.

The ICAD also presented RehabiNasyon, and the government’s overall strategy in attaining its vision of a drug-cleared Philippines by 2022. The DDB, for its past, emphasized the government’s holistic and balanced approach to address the problem of illegal drugs.

Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima of Task Force Bangon Marawi shared the rehabilitation plans of the Philippine government in Marawi City, a year after it was occupied by terrorists.

He mentioned that the Task Force has consulted 34 clans in 13 clusters for the rehabilitation process and that the Task Force commissioned a study on land resource management.

The NCDA, through its Officer-in-Charge Carmen Zubiaga, presented the latest developments and government initiatives to mainstream disability in public policy and promote greater social inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

In line with the Philippines’ implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its reporting in September 2018 to the CRPD, the NCDA highlighted the implementation of various government policies to uphold the rights of PWDs.

The NCDA also mentioned some challenges in improving the conditions of PWDs in the country, such as the unavailability of reliable disability data and insufficient assistive services and technology as well as service providers.

An open forum provided the attendees the opportunity to raise their comments and questions on the issues at hand. The foreign delegations expressed their appreciation for the Department’s efforts to update them on human rights-related issues.

The 38th Session of the Human Rights Council will take place from 18 June to 6 July 2018 in Geneva. END

DIPLOMATIC BRIEFING. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo updates members of the diplomatic community on human rights-related issues in the Philippines during a briefing at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday, 1 June 2018.