14 March 2017 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The Philippines urged all States and other stakeholders to take timely and concerted actions to protect, respect and fulfill the human rights of all migrants, in particular the needs of women, children, and those who may be of particular risk in a statement delivered at the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council.
In a Philippine statement delivered at the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Migrationin Geneva on March 10, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations, pointed out the “alarming trend towards political rhetoric and policies that stigmatize migrants and migration, which is being fuelled by racist and xenophobic fear and sentiments and advanced by populist politicians.”
“The safety, dignity and human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants remain to be a challenge in many parts of the world. Migrants, particularly in the context of large and mixed movements, remain vulnerable to abuse and exploitation while in journey, at international borders, and in host countries,” said Charge d’Affaires Almojuela.
Charge d’Affaires Almojuela emphasized that in order to counter the alarming trend, States need to acknowledge and assert that migration is an enabler of development and the gains from migration should continue to be fostered and supported.
The Philippine statement reiterated its support on the elaboration of the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration (GCM) as the comprehensive international cooperation framework on migrants and migration. The Philippine statement also called on States and other stakeholders to ensure that the safety, dignity and human rights of migrants will remain as the foundation of the GCM.
The panellists at the Dialogue include Ambassador William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration; Ms. Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; H.E. Jorge Lomónaco, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva; Ms. Manuela Tomei, Director, Conditions of Work and Equality Division, International Labour Organization; Ms. Carol Batchelor, Director, Division of International Protection, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Ms. Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children; Ms. Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission; and Ms. Monami Maulik, International Coordinator, Global Coalition on Migration.
The interactive dialogue was convened at the Plenary Session of the ongoing month-long 34th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. END