PH Ambassador Reaffirms Strong Advocacy on Migration at the UN Human Rights Council
Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva (right), meets with Mr. Felipe Gonzales Morales, Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants (left) at the 38thSession of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 20 June 2018. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA 26 June 2018 – Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong advocacy on the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants, during a conversation with Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants Felipe Gonzales Morales, which took place on 20 June 2018 on the margins of the 38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Ambassador Garcia also stressed the country’s strong support for the mandate of Special Rapporteur Felipe Gonzales Morales.
Before the meeting, Ambassador Garcia also delivered the statement of the Philippines during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Migration before the UNHRC, highlighting that “forced returns should always be a measure of last resort, and only follow a fair and efficient process guaranteeing that all legal safeguards have been provided.”
The Ambassador also stressed that “migrants in irregular situations require individual screening and assessment procedures; failure to provide such procedures constitutes a violation of due process guarantees and the international (law) principles of non-refoulement and the best interests of the child, among others.”
Individual screening and assessment procedures provide the opportunity to determine the specific situations of vulnerability and legal protection frameworks that aim to effectively meet the needs of migrants, including under international human rights law, according to the Ambassador.
Special Rapporteur Gonzales Morales’ report before the UNHRC focused on return and reintegration of migrants.
Mr. Gonzalez Morales assumed the position as Special Rapporteur on Migrants in August 2017, succeeding Mr. François Crepeau. END
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