Philippines Urges UN to Pursue More Constructive, Effective Human Rights Actions
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia welcomes the constructive direction pursued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet grounded on technical cooperation and capacity building assistance. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA 29 June 2021 – The Philippines welcomed efforts by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to invest more resources in promoting collaboration on human rights, particularly on socio-economic and development rights, vulnerable groups, and technical cooperation at the 47th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC47) on 24 June 2021.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia lauded the OHCHR´s 2020 Annual Report for showcasing “the capacities of the OHCHR to deliver transformative impacts on the ground”, in partnership with governments stakeholders, and regional organizations across the world on human rights promotion and protection.
He urged the Human Rights Council to optimize OHCHR´s technical advisory experience and toolkits for constructive engagements and pursue more “grounded and practical solutions with real-world value,” as opposed to its usual decisions to produce reports and create mandates and mechanisms that tend to drive human rights along a more politicized direction.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the need for heightened cooperation and investments in addressing poverty and inequality and building resilient institutions and communities. It surfaced stronger public demand for an OHCHR and HRC that, beyond cycles of reports and talks, is able to offer and deliver practical solutions on the ground,” remarked Ambassador Garcia.
Earlier this year, the Philippines provided its biggest voluntary contribution to support OHCHR´s workstreams on technical cooperation, provision of capacity-building assistance on human rights to countries upon their request, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples.
The Philippines has consistently emphasized in various multilateral fora the need to reinvent multilateralism’s toolbox to build back better and meet the unique challenges of the 21st century. END
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