DFA Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (back row, ninth from left), with the officials and staff of the Office of United Nations and International Organizations of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, and students and teachers of the Philippine School for the Deaf. (Clark Galang photo/OSCR)
PASAY CITY 18 December 2018 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joined the global observance of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with a diplomatic reception anchored on the theme, “Protecting Human Lives, Uplifting Human Dignity, and Advancing People’s Progress.”
High-level Philippine government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of United Nations agencies, and members of the academe and civil society joined the cultural program and reception held at the DFA’s Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini on 10 December 2018.
The reception featured a photo exhibit on the role of the Philippines in the drafting of the UDHR, its active participation in subsequent meetings of the UN and its bodies, especially the UN Commission on Human Rights, which later became the Human Rights Council (HRC), and its projects to promote the country’s continuing growth and development.
The program also featured performances by T’boli performer and T’nalak weaver Julie Fanulan, the award-winning Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, and the Philippine School for the Deaf.
Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat Undersecretary Severo S. Catura represented Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, and shared that the Duterte administration is “resolute in uplifting the dignity of every Filipino” through the effective implementation of programs that broaden people’s access to education, healthcare, employment, shelter, food, and basic utilities and services.
Undersecretary Catura emphasized that the Philippine Government is determined to work for sustainable progress to improve the lives of the Filipino people and their communities, and that the celebration of the seven decades of the adoption of UDHR reflects the Philippine government’s confidence that it is “advancing human rights in a manner that truly values and responds to the needs of Filipinos.”
In his message, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo took pride in the Philippines’ role in the drafting of the UDHR in 1947, where it “stood for the underrepresented and marginalized–the former colonies and non-self-governing territories.”
Undersecretary Manalo underscored that the Philippines remains true to its advocacy as a champion for the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, including migrants, women, children, indigenous groups, persons with disabilities, and older persons, in the UN HRC where it will serve its fifth term from 2019 to 2021.
The Undersecretary stated that together with its partners, the Philippine government will continue its strong commitment to “leave no one behind” as it resolutely pursues the country’s development guided by the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and AmBisyon 2040.
One of the most important documents in history, the UDHR sets out the fundamental human rights that are to be universally protected and promoted, and states a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. END
Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo underscores that the Philippines’ commitment to human rights seeks to ‘leave no one behind’ as the country champions for the vulnerable sectors including migrants, women, children, persons with disability (PWDs), older persons, and indigenous groups. (Clark Galang photo/OSCR)
Undersecretary Severo S. Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, reading the remarks of Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, emphasizes the Philippine Government’s determination to advance human rights in a manner that truly values and responds to the needs of the Filipinos. (Clark Galang photo/OSCR)
The diplomatic reception featured a photo exhibit on the Philippines’ contributions to the drafting of the UDHR, and the different policies and programs of government agencies in protecting human lives, uplifting human dignity, and advancing people’s progress. (Clark Galang photo/OSCR)
T’boli performer and T’nalak weaver Julie M. Fanulan demonstrates the sacred art of t’nalak weaving of the T’boli. She also performed a traditional dance and played the “kumbing” or mouth harp, as a way of celebrating the rich culture of indigenous peoples as part of their human rights. (Clark Galang photo/OSCR)