PH Underscores Progress and Constructive Approach on Human Rights
Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla meets with UN Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Nada Al-Nashif at the Palais Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA, 04 October 2022 – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla underscored the progress in the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic human rights mechanisms in a meeting with United Nations Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Nada Al-Nashif held on 4 October 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland.
In particular, Secretary Remulla highlighted the reforms of the Department of Justice in decongesting prisons and the release last month of 371 detainees that had served their sentences from prisons throughout the country. The Secretary informed that the DOJ will continue such releases and take measures to strengthen the witness protection program.
Ms. Al-Nashif recognized the efforts of the Philippines to address issues, such as enhancing accountability, engagement with the UN, and human rights-based approach to drug control.
Both SOJ Remulla and Ms. Al-Nashif noted the good momentum in the work of the UN Joint Program on Human Rights - a three year technical cooperation program between the Philippine Government and the UN that supports domestic institutions in their ongoing human rights protection and promotion programs.
Secretary Remulla reaffirmed that the Philippines will continue to engage constructively on human rights with the UN and international community.
SOJ Remulla was accompanied by Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Undersecretaries Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres and Raul T. Vasquez of the Department of Justice, Assistant Secretary Kira Danganan-Azucena of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Delegate Maria Teresa T. Almoquela, and other officials from the DOF and DFA. END
Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla and UN Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Nada Al-Nashif are joined by Permanent Representative Evan P. Garcia, DOJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez, DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, and Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Teresa T. Almojuela. (Geneva PM photo)