MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed that the upcoming visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, to the Philippines symbolizes the nation's commitment to open and sincere cooperation with international partners. This visit, scheduled from January 23 to February 2, is seen as a testament to the Philippines' engagement in global human rights initiatives.
According to the Philippines News Agency, Khan's visit underscores the Philippine government's ongoing collaboration with bilateral, regional, and United Nations partners. This cooperation is part of the country's broader efforts to promote a human rights-based development agenda, good governance, and to contribute to strengthening global norms for human rights and dignity.
Khan's visit marks her as the third Special Rapporteur to engage with the Philippines in the past 14 months. The country previously hosted Fatimah Singhateh, Special Rapporteur for the Sale and Exploitation of Children, in November 2022, and Dr. Ian Fry, Special Rapporteur for Climate Change and Human Rights, in November 2023. Additionally, Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, conducted an academic visit in February 2023.
The DFA highlighted the Philippine government's active involvement with UN Special Rapporteurs, citing recent engagements such as Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat meeting with Special Rapporteurs on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in July 2023.
Furthermore, the DFA emphasized the Philippines' good faith cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and its support for funding initiatives aimed at building human rights capacities in developing countries. The Philippine human rights agenda, according to the DFA, has established significant benchmarks in protecting and promoting the rights of various marginalized communities, including migrant workers, women, children, indigenous peoples, refugees, stateless persons, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The DFA anticipates that Khan's visit will serve as an opportunity to demonstrate the government's transparency and progressiveness in its agenda, particularly concerning the promotion and protection of freedom of speech and expression.