PH Calls for Commitment to the GCM at 70th Year of UDHR
MARRAKESH 20 December 2018 – The Philippines embodies its commitment to the centrality of human rights in its policies and programs, articulated in the theme for the Philippine commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the UDHR is “Protecting Human Lives, Uplifting Human Dignity, and Advancing People’s Progress” at the High Level Event to commemorate the 70thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) held by the United Nations at the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Marrakesh, Morocco on 10 December 2018.
Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Evan P. Garcia delivered the Philippine statement, where he stated that there are many similarities between the negotiation of the UDHR and the GCM.
“In 1948, this document that we collectively accept as an expression of our fundamental values as a human family, the UDHR, did not enjoy universal support. Yet this landmark agreement has paved the way for the core human right treaties and conventions that are legally binding on governments that ratify them. This imperfect document that captured the ideals of human values so well, that it has been reflected in multilateral, regional, and national instruments, enshrined in Constitutions, including that of the Philippines, was a compromise document,” Ambassador Garcia said
“Today, like the UDHR before it, the near-universal Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, is also a seminal document containing the vision, aspiration and hopes of humanity. Let us collectively ensure that our commitments in the GCM establish the promise of a better future for humankind on the move,” he added.
On the panel for the high level event were European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, International Criminal Court General Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, the Philippine National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), and the Commission on Human Rights, represented by Commissioner Gwendolyn LL. Pimentel-Gana. END
For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.