5 days ago
UN to support human rights in PH despite end of joint program
Arnaud Peral, the United Nations Resident coordinator in the Philippines, clarified that although the United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights (UNJP) officially ended on July 31, 2024, the organization's engagement in human rights efforts in the country remains active.
The United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to monitor and support human rights efforts in the country despite the absence of a joint program with the Philippines.
Arnaud Peral, the United Nations Resident coordinator in the Philippines, clarified that although the United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights (UNJP) officially ended on July 31, 2024, the organization's engagement in human rights efforts in the country remains active.
'We don't foresee another one or a new generation of this kind of action,' Peral said, referring to the UNJP. 'But it doesn't mean that the different mechanisms of human rights will no longer continue to monitor what's happening in the Philippines like they do globally.'
Peral emphasized that the UN continues to engage with national institutions.
'So it's something that we continue to look at, to listen to, and if we can be of support in certain areas, we will be very pleased to be. We continue to interact also with the different mechanisms of the National Commission on Human Rights,' he said.
He also noted the Philippine government's positive response to international human rights mechanisms, particularly the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
'These are instruments that are extremely important to continue to advance on the human rights commitment of the country,' Peral added.
The UNJP, launched in 2021, was a three-year initiative aimed at promoting human rights and protecting human rights defenders. It involved collaboration between the UN and various Philippine agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, and the Commission on Human Rights.
The program focused on civic space, accountability, and human rights-based approaches to drug control.
Despite criticisms over its effectiveness, especially in addressing human rights violations during the Duterte administration's 'war on drugs,' the UNJP laid the groundwork for continued cooperation.
Peral said the UN's human rights support is a long-term commitment.
'Everything almost that we do is linked somehow to advancing human rights in the country,' he said.
'We have this connection, we have the instruments, but we don't have the joint program anymore specifically. So our interventions now are more punctual, more in terms of supporting with some trainings or some information sharing.'
He also revealed that the UN has been approached by Philippine lawmakers for capacity-building. 'We will have an activity with Congress pretty soon at their request for some trainings on human rights standards for the new Congress. So we continue to be engaged,' Peral told members of the Philippine media, including GMA Integrated News on Thursday.
Focus on BARMM and Indigenous Peoples
Peral also highlighted the UN's continued support for peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
He welcomed the Marcos administration's willingness to keep the UN engaged in the region.
While acknowledging progress, Peral said more work is needed.
'It's not yet enough. More has to be done,' he said.
BARMM has passed legislation recognizing the ancestral domains of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), an enhanced version of the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA). However, reports of violence and killings against non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) persist.
Recently, lawmakers filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into the security situation of NMIPs in BARMM.
'It's something that we will continue to monitor — to see how it works, what works, what doesn't work,' Peral said. 'If need be and if we are requested, we can continue to provide also some advice on how to improve its implementation or improve the legislation. But overall, yeah, we celebrate the fact that at least we have now an instrument that has been put in place.'
Philippines' global leadership, strong partnership on sustainable development lauded
The United Nations resident coordinator in the Philippines also praised the Marcos administration for its growing leadership role in global governance and its strong commitment to multilateral cooperation, calling the country a 'proactive and supportive partner' in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Peral, highlighted the country's active engagement in international platforms and its increasing contributions to global institutions. 'It's really, really encouraging and we really celebrate… the fact that the Philippines is supporting so much the multilateral agenda,' he said.
He cited the Philippines' recent hosting of major international events, including conferences on women, peace and security, disaster risk reduction, and the Middle-Income Countries Global Forum.
'This proactivity, I think, is very good,' he added.
Peral also noted the Philippines' growing influence within the UN system.
'The Philippines have joined recently the board of many UN organizations. They are seeking a seat at the Security Council,' he said.
He also acknowledged the country's financial support, including a $10 million pledge to the World Health Organization (WHO) at the end of 2024 — an important move as the world prepares for future global health crises.
'This leadership has to be recognized and celebrated,' Peral emphasized.
On the domestic front, Peral commended the Philippines for integrating the SDGs into its national development agenda.
'The country has embraced the Sustainable Development Goals, the Agenda 2030. It's part of the National Development Plan's objectives,' he said, adding that this alignment strengthens the UN's cooperation framework for 2024–2028.
Peral described the UN's presence in the Philippines as extensive, with 29 UN agencies operating across 60 regions.
'It's a very large ecosystem of work and partnerships — civil society, private sector. We work with almost all government agencies,' he explained. 'So it makes the governance also of our work better.'
To ensure alignment with national priorities, the UN participates in a government-led steering committee that meets regularly with top officials, including the secretaries of Foreign Affairs.
'We sit… two or three times a year, but also at technical level, more than that, to review what we are doing… and how it aligns and supports the national priorities,' Peral said.
With the midterm review of the National Development Plan underway, the UN has been asked to contribute insights and recommendations.
'We want to put everything at the service of the country… These are capacities that sometimes help solve bottlenecks, accelerate results, or reorient legislation or public policies to make them more efficient,' Peral said.
He concluded on a hopeful note: 'The relationship is really, really productive. So I think we are going in the right direction.' — BAP, GMA Integrated News
