PH Champions Human Rights in UDHR75
PASAY CITY 12 December 2023 – The Philippines champions human rights in the global observance of the 75th Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – a seminal document that shaped the international human rights framework.
Top Philippine government officials, UN agency heads, and members of the academe, civil society and diplomatic corps gathered at the UP Theater for a symposium entitled “Extending the Horizons of Human Rights,” that underscored the commitment of the Philippines to promote and protect human rights.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, in his keynote address, highlighted how the Philippines, as a founding member of the United Nations, played an active role in the drafting of the UDHR and in the promotion of human rights of every Filipino to pursue and enjoy continuing growth and development towards a life lived with dignity, freedom and respect.
Aside from celebrating the Philippines’ legacy on human rights, Secretary Manalo also shares the country’s vision and leadership in full support and unwavering commitment to the UDHR. “True to the achievements of our past, clear-eyed about the challenges and opportunities of the present, and filled with hope and aspiration for a better tomorrow, the Philippine Government will continue to remain actively engaged with the international community, human rights mechanisms, and stakeholders in ensuring that the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Filipinos are always upheld and protected,” said Secretary Manalo.
Professor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., former Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mr. Orest Nowosad discussed the legacy of the Philippines in the UDHR and international human rights framework. Division Chief Marizen Santos of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and PH Representative Hans Mohaimin Siriban of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) discussed the institutionalization of the UDHR through the CHR and AICHR. Professor Elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan of the University of the Philippines College of Law and Executive Director Ana Maria Dionela of ECPAT Philippines discussed the roles of the academe and civil society organizations as advocates and partners for the UDHR. END