PH advocates rights of the child in the 32nd ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Meeting
Office of ASEAN Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio represents the Philippines during discussions on human rights at the 32nd Meeting of the AICHR.
MANILA 10 February 2021 – The Philippines joined the other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states at the first Special ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Meeting of the year in the 32nd Meeting of the AICHR on 04-05 February 2021. The Philippine delegation was led by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) ASEAN Deputy Assistant Secretary and Alternate Temporary AICHR Representative Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio.
The Philippines welcomed the participation of AICHR Myanmar to the Meeting, with Deputy Assistant Secretary Tirol-Ignacio saying that “Our thoughts are with Myanmar and her people as they face this new challenge in their national lives.”
The Philippines pursued its advocacy for the rights of the child and emphasized the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly of the vulnerable. Vulnerable populations hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be a key priority of ASEAN in pursuing comprehensive recovery. The Philippines expressed its readiness to support efforts in the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and other related initiatives.
AICHR Representatives at the 32nd Meeting of the AICHR and its first Special Meeting under the Chairship of Brunei Darussalam. (Photo from AICHR Brunei).
The Meeting looked into the progress of ongoing priority programs and activities in the areas of right to health, human rights and environment, freedom of opinion and expression, right to development, human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, and human rights-based approach to humanitarian actions. The Philippines also actively contributed to discussions on AICHR institutional matters, including the Guidelines on AICHR’s External Relations and the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Five-Year Work Plan 2021-2025.
AICHR is the overarching human rights body in ASEAN mandated to promote and protect human rights in the region. The regional human rights body regularly meets four times a year. Brunei Darussalam is this year’s ASEAN Chair. END