HR Council working group adopted UPR report on Philippines; Government accepted 53 recommendations
Published on 04 Jun 2012 in News, Slides by authorThe Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) adopted last 1 June the report on the UPR of Philippines. The troika composed of Hungary, Qatar and Uganda facilitated the review process and prepared the report.
A total of 64 member states participated in the UPR review process. All member states of ASEAN have participated in the interactive dialogue to review the human rights situation in the Philippines.
The review of Philippines’ human rights record generated 88 recommendations. The government accepted 53 recommendations. These include those considered being implemented such as on the protection and promotion of migrant workers, the rights of children and women, and on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.
On the other hand, the government said that it will further review the remainder 35 recommendations. They will be submitting their responses to the Human Rights Council during its 21st session in September 2012.
The following are some of the accepted recommendations that are related to child rights:
- To work for the full and effective participation of young people and youth-led organizations at all levels;
- Ensure free and effective birth registration for all children;
- Ensure the effective enforcement of domestic legislation and further strive to eradicate human trafficking through cooperation with the international community;
- Recognize victims of trafficking, often young people, and provide them with protection and assistance;
- Explicitly prohibit all corporal punishment when raising children, at home, at school, institutions, the penal system and in all other areas;
- Continue the promotion of measures to disarm and dismantle private armed groups as well as to impede the utilization of child soldiers;
- Increase efforts, as a matter of urgency, in addressing high infant and maternal mortality rates, including providing access to sexual and reproductive health information;
- Increase measures on the right to education to ensure equal access to education for all children;
- Intensify efforts on a national scale for the sustainable use of natural resources.
The following are some of the recommendations that will be further examined by the Philippine government.
- To consider the early ratification of the third Optional Protocol to the CRC on a communications procedure;
- Intensify efforts to combat the worst forms of child labour in line with ILO Convention 182 on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour as well as ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age of Admission to Employment;
- To enact a legislation to address the status of children born out of wedlock;
- To ensure that the age of criminal responsibility is not lowered;
- To consider establishing a comprehensive legislation to combat discrimination faced by LGBT people;
- To establish a legal framework in order to help women and men develop knowledge to enable them to decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including their sexual and reproductive health.
Prior to the adoption to the report, Deputy Executive Secretary Teofilo Pilando, Jr. conveyed to the council the government’s commitment to protect and promote human rights. He also announced that the government has started discussions with the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines aimed at creating a tripartite UPR commitments and recommendations monitoring group. He also emphasised the key role of civil society in monitoring and promoting the implementation of UPR related recommendations.
