PH Supports Civil Society Commitment to Further Promote UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in GenevaAmbassador Maria Teresa T. Almojuela (center) highlights the significance of promoting human rights education and interfaith dialogue in the discourse of fulfilling human rights. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA 18 January 2019 – The Philippines affirmed its commitment to work with stakeholders and to contribute actively to efforts aimed at upholding the dignity of all human beings regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, and faith in its co-sponsored the panel discussion “70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Commitment of Civil Society”, on 10 December 2018 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Maria Teresa T. Almojuela underscored the importance the Philippines attaches to human rights education (HRE) and interfaith dialogue.
“The Philippines accords due priority to human rights education, believing that awareness of human rights empowers individuals and communities as participants and builders of just and humane societies”, Ambassador Almojuela stressed.
The Philippines has a national framework on HRE, where the country’s A-status national human rights institution and civil society participate actively.
“In the UN, the Philippines has been one of the leading countries actively pursuing interfaith and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace,” she added.
The Philippines had hosted high-level ministerial meetings on interfaith dialogue in the past years fostering shared commitments from governments to develop and strengthen policies and programs that contribute to the promotion of a culture of peace and respect for diversity within the constitutional order and particularities of each country.
Ambassador Almojuela also recognized the role of the civil society, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based organizations in the collective effort to promote the UDHR, “because human rights need their vanguards and champions in all places and all corners of the society.”
The event was organized by a group of civil society organizations spearheaded by the United for Human Rights International, Fundacion Vida Grupo Ecologico Verde, and the Fundacion para la Mejora De la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad, in response to the call of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to commemorate the landmark year of the UDHR.
Earlier this year, the Philippines also organized three thematic events at the margins of the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council in June 2018 to commemorate the UDHR’s 70th year. These include an exhibit of a book entitled “Karapat Dapat: Child Know Your Rights” on children’s rights, and panel discussions on HRE and on women’s rights in the Southeast Asia. END
For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/