Statement at the 51st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner’s report on the Philippines
Delivered by Lisa Majumdar
Thank you, Mr. President.
The report of the High Commissioner supports the conclusion and call of independent local civil society, including those whose voices we heard today, human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists in the Philippines: scrutiny of the country by the Human Rights Council should continue.
In the last month alone, human rights defenders have been forced to flee the country. Human rights defenders, activists and community leaders, including those who have engaged with the Council, have been threatened and tagged as supporting terrorists merely for criticising State policies. Some have been detained on fabricated charges and civil society organisations (CSOs) have had their funds frozen. While the incoming national security adviser to the Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said she intends to stop ‘red-tagging,’ this has so far remained empty rhetoric. Just two days ago, Radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, was shot dead. He is the second journalist to be killed during the tenure of the current President.
The recently resumed ICC investigation will not cover any violations perpetrated since the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Proposed cuts to the budget of The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will heavily impact its ability to investigate cases of human rights violations, as well as to provide financial assistance and free legal advice and counselling to victims of human rights violations. Recent appointments in the CHR were opaque and lacked any consultation.
It is shameful that the Council’s response to a strong report by the High Commissioner detailing ongoing violations has been to abandon victims of violations still further.
CIVICUS calls on the Council to heed the recommendation of the High Commissioner by ensuring, at the very least, that OHCHR can continue to monitor the situation of human rights in the Philippines and regularly report to the Human Rights Council. The Council should also stand ready at the earliest opportunity to strengthen its monitoring of the progress and outcome of domestic and international accountability initiatives to take any further approaches that may be required.
Thank you.
Civic space in the Philippines is rated as "Repressed" by the CIVICUS Monitor
