(File photo)
MANILA – Justice Secretary Jesus Crisin Remulla on Thursday said he is set to leave Friday for Geneva, Switzerland to give a clear message on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s human rights policies at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHCR)'s regular Universal Periodic Review (UPR) scheduled next week.
The UPR is a peer-review mechanism of the UNHRC wherein the promotion and protection of human rights in all countries are reviewed on a regular basis.
"I am going to the UPR with a very clear message: The Philippines, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, is working to deliver transformational reform of its justice and law enforcement sectors – to enhance the enjoyment of human rights of all our citizens – based on the rule of law and respect for due process," said Remulla in a statement.
"I will also inform about gains made during the first 100 days of the Marcos administration in terms of protection of vulnerable groups, such as migrants and children," he said.
Furthermore, Remulla said the Philippine delegation will also share ongoing initiatives of the Marcos administration’s comprehensive reform program “Real Justice in Real Time” which includes, among others, concrete measures to decongest Philippine prisons; improve case build-up through cooperation between prosecutors, investigators, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); and reaching out to civil society to strengthen witness protection.
He will also provide updates about progress made in connection with earlier recommendations of the international body.
While in Geneva, Remulla said he is also scheduled to meet with Filipino community leaders to brief them about developments here at home and get to know them better.
This is the fourth time that the Philippines will participate in the UPR. Previous reviews took place in 2008, 2012, and 2017.
Aside from Remulla, the Philippine delegation consists of other senior officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, including the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva. (PNA)
