RP elected chair of UN human rights body

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippines was unanimously elected chair of the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Renowned Philippine authority on human rights Dr. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing was voted chair in the election this week in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It is a great honor to serve as chair of the Advisory Committee. I am humbled by the confidence my highly esteemed colleagues have placed in me,” Quisumbing said.

The committee is composed of 18 independent experts from various regions of the world and functions as the think-tank of the UN Human Rights Council.

In her opening statement, Quisumbing recalled her stint as chair of the former UN Commission on Human Rights (the predecessor of the Human Rights Council) in 1990, while being an assistant secretary for human rights under the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino.

“Dr. Quisumbing’s election as chair of the Advisory Committee follows the long tradition of Philippine leadership in international human rights engagement. We are very proud of her. No doubt, with her vast expertise and experience, she will lead the Advisory Committee to great success in its work,” Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Evan Garcia said.