Philippines Calls for Migrants Voices to be Heard at Human Rights Side Event in Geneva

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Kristine Leilani R. Salle delivers the closing remarks during a side-event on protecting the rights of women human rights defenders at risk in migration context. (Geneva PM photo)

GENEVA 13 July 2023 – The Philippines called for all stakeholders to enhance opportunities for women migrants and migrants’ organizations to fully participate, exercise leadership, and be involved in decision-making, during a panel discussion entitled “From recommendations to action: protecting the rights of women human rights defenders at risk in migration context” held on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council on 04 July 2023 at the Palais des Nations.

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Kristine Leilani R. Salle, who represented the Permanent Mission of the Philippines during the side-event, stressed that the meaningful participation of women migrants, NGOs, and human rights defenders can only be assured through institutionalizing avenues for their inclusion. She shared that the Philippines has done this through the Magna Carta of Women and many other national policies and legislation.

Ms. Salle also called for urgent action in addressing challenges encountered by women migrants and human rights defenders, including rising xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiments, and the practice of torture and other degrading detention and ill treatment.

The side-event was organized by UN Women, and co-organized by the Philippines, Germany, Mexico, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants. END

For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva/  or https://www.instagram.com/phingeneva/ .