51st Session of the Human Rights Council: Nordic-Baltic statement - Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on technical cooperation and capacity-building for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines
51st session of the Human Rights Council
Item 10: Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on technical cooperation and capacity-building for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines
Statement by Denmark on behalf of the Nordic Baltic Countries
5 October
Thank you, Mr. President.
The Nordic-Baltic countries welcome the report and thank the Acting High Commissioner and the Resident Coordinator for their updates.
Resolution 45/33 importantly requested technical assistance and capacity building through the implementation of a multi-year UN Joint Programme in the Philippines. We are pleased that the Programme is based on this request of the Council with corresponding focus areas.
We express concern over the lack of progress made on the accountability agenda. This is a key component of the program and justice is needed, both for the victims of human rights violations and to prevent new ones from occurring. In addition, we would like to highlight the importance of broad civil society participation across all components of the Programme.
We believe the Programme, if implemented to the letter, is an important tool in institutionalizing human rights in law enforcement.
The Programme has generated some important outputs over the past fourteen months. Now we need to see the outcomes. Anything less than genuine intentions of all stakeholders to use the Programme to improve the human rights situation in the Philippines will constitute a failure.
We look forward to the Government and the Resident Coordinator continuing to keep the Council abreast of the implementation of the Programme at future sessions.
I thank you.