UN, Philippine government meet to discuss Human Rights Plan

Following the conclusion of the United Nations Joint Programme on Human Rights on 31 July, the UN Country Team in the Philippines continues to work with the government on further strengthening the country’s human rights mechanisms through the development of the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4). 

On 9 October, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez and heads of the UN’s specialized agencies met with representatives of the lead government agencies involved in drafting the PHRP4, including the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, National Council for Disability Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Migrant Workers, Committee on the Welfare of Children, Philippine Commission on Women, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. 

The meeting was convened to share information on the consultation process undertaken by the Government, explore possible areas of collaboration, and provision of technical advice and global knowledge. 

“Human rights is one of the three pillars of the United Nations, making it extremely relevant to all three pillars of the Cooperation Framework that the Government and the UN signed last year. This new agreement emphasizes partnership with the government, so we take the lead from the government’s own development frameworks, such as this forthcoming Philippine Human Rights Plan,” said Mr. Gonzalez. 

The Resident Coordinator shared that various UN agencies have engaged in different areas of human rights, including protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, non-discrimination, prison conditions, rights of migrant workers and refugees, and promotion of gender equality among others. 

Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) Executive Director Severo S. Catura meanwhile provided key updates on the development of the PHRP4.  He noted the active engagement of a broad range of government agencies. Moreover, in the past months the PHRCS has conducted consultations with around 485 civil society organizations in different parts of the country.With the UN’s technical and financial support, seven consultations with over 600 civil society organizations and local government representatives were organized across the country to collect grassroots information and knowledge to enrich the PHRP. 

The document will be organized with one chapter each for the eight human rights treaties ratified by the Philippines, plus an additional chapter on emerging issues. The PHPR4  will be launched on 10 December or Human Rights Day.