DOJ Secretary Affirms the Work of PH Legal and Domestic Accountability Mechanisms at the Human Rights Council
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra delivers the Philippine Dignitary Statement (via pre-recorded video) at the High-Level Segment of the 46th Human Rights Council session (HRC46) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Radio Television Malacañang)
GENEVA 24 February 2021 – “Peace, justice and human rights are interrelated pursuits. An integral part to the Philippine commitment to human rights is the continuous strengthening of its domestic accountability mechanisms.” This was the key message of Secretary of Justice Menardo I. Guevarra in his Dignitary Statement at the High-Level Segment (HLS) of the 46th Human Rights Council session (HRC46) in Geneva, Switzerland (via pre-recorded video statement).
In his statement, Secretary Guevarra shared that the Review Panel on cases of anti-illegal drug operations where deaths occurred has commenced its initial work and has identified cases where “law enforcement agents involved failed to follow standard protocols pertaining to coordination with other agencies and processing of the crime scene.”
Secretary Guevarra also underscored the Philippines’ constructive approach on human rights, including through the adoption of HRC45/33 resolution on technical cooperation and the UN Joint Program on Human Rights being pursued with the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC). He cited the Philippine Government’s engagement with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the Administrative Order 35 mechanism and the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
In closing, the DOJ Secretary emphasized that the Philippines’ legal system and domestic accountability mechanisms “are functioning as they should.”
The High-Level Segment is held during the first HRC session of each year and during which leaders and minister-level officials address the Council on national efforts to promote and protect human rights.
The video of Secretary Guevarra at the HLS of HRC46 is available here while the text can be accessed here. END