Bersamin tells UN: Philippine actively promoting human rights

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is actively promoting human rights, with democratic institutions that remain strong and dispense justice without fear or discrimination.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin made the assertion as he represented the Philippines in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR75) at the Palais des Nations in Switzerland.

Philippine Permanent Representative Carlos Sorreta welcomed Bersamin to the Philippine Chancery in Geneva by hosting him at events held on Sunday, including a virtual meet-and-greet with the Philippine ambassadors/heads of posts in Europe and a town hall meeting with the different Filipino community associations from the cantons of Geneva and Vaud.

Sorreta underscored the importance of participative and open dialogue during the town hall meeting with the Filipino community members who were represented by the board of the Ugnayan Bayan or those living in Geneva and Lausanne, and those actively employed in the United Nations and other international organizations.

He cited the Mission’s active engagement with the community to advance personal freedoms and uplift the discourse between community members and visiting ranking government officials.

He mentioned that the participation of Bersamin at the UDHR75 commemorative activities indicates the high level of commitment that the Philippines bestows on the universality and indivisibility of human rights, while attending to the community’s concerns.

In his remarks, Bersamin assured community members that the Philippine government is actively promoting human rights, in partnership with the United Nations, through the implementation of the Joint Program on Human Rights, an innovative initiative to ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic accountability mechanisms.

He said the country’s democratic institutions remain strong and dispense justice without fear or discrimination based on the belief in equality before the law, integrity, gender responsiveness and the primacy of human rights.

Bersamin also underscored that migrant welfare is a priority of the administration that believes in securing employment benefits and protection wherever migrants are found.

He mentioned that in the United Nations, the Philippines is a champion for safe, orderly and regular migration – a recognition of the country’s leadership, innovative practices and balanced approach to migration.

During the online meeting with the Philippine ambassadors in Europe, each ambassador provided a presentation on the political, economic and security considerations in their respective posts, including recommendations to enhance bilateral relations between the host country and the Philippines, economic and trade opportunities and concerns related to overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers.

Also in the Philippine delegation were Department of Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, Assistant Secretary Al-Azree Mohammadsali and Director Naereeza Bainto.