PH Ambassador Highlights HRC’s Role in Promoting, Protecting Human Rights For All

The Asia-Pacific Group candidate states for membership in the Human Rights Council for the term 2019-2021 represented by (from left) Bahraini Permanent Representative Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Bangladeshi Permanent Representative Masud Bin Momen, Fiji Permanent Representative M. Nazhat Shameem Khan, Philippine Permanent Representative Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., and Indian Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin. (New York PM photo)

NEW YORK 12 October 2018 — Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. joined the Permanent Representatives of Bahrain, Bangladesh, Fiji and India in a joint reception to campaign for the candidatures of the five Asia-Pacific Group candidate states to the Human Rights Council for the term 2019-2021. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Locsin highlighted Philippine commitments to promote and protect human rights, and stated that the Council should be a partner of states and other stakeholders in this endeavor.

“As the Council finds ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, the Philippines commits itself to supporting practical and doable initiatives, and making the Council better able to fulfill its mandate to promote and protect human rights all over the world,” Ambassador Locsin said.

If re-elected, Ambassador Locsin stated that the Philippines will work to enhance domestic implementation of all human rights treaty obligations and programs especially by eradicating extreme poverty, because the most vulnerable are the easiest victims of human rights violations.

The Ambassador added that the country would remain steadfast in promoting respect for the rule of law and the fulfillment of internationally-agreed development goals, simply because the better the living standard, the better are people able to know and defend their human rights and call attention to their violations.

He also underscored that the Philippines upholds the necessity of the Universal Periodic Review, recognizing its potential to effect real change through constructive dialogue and international cooperation.

“The most effective protection of human rights is that extended by states and governments, which must be made aware of their responsibility to protect their peoples from lawlessness, and timely reminded when they fall short of that defining responsibility,” Ambassador Locsin said.

The representatives of Bahrain, Bangladesh, Fiji and India also presented their respective pledges and commitments during the reception they co-organized at the UN Headquarters on 08 October 2018.

The Ambassadors spoke of their national obligations to promote human rights principles and values, their plans and programs to integrate the human rights agenda in their various development initiatives for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, the poor, indigenous people, migrant workers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

The reception was attended by Permanent Representatives, their Deputies, Third Committee Experts, and Election Officers of the various Permanent Missions in New York.

The said candidate states are vying for the five seats allocated for the Asia-Pacific Group in the Human Rights Council for the term 2019-2021. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph/ www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/