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Statement by MarieYvetteBanzon Permanent Mission the philippines the United of to Nations Agenda rtem67 - promotion and protectionof human rights 61'tSession the GeneralAssemblv of 30 October 2006

M r .C h a i r m a n , The Government the Philippines fully committed the universal of is to promotion and protection humanrightsand fundamental of freedoms. The Constitution the philippines of makesit paramount policyto valuethe dignity everyhumanpersonand to guarantee respect of full for human rights. My government also believesthat accession and full iirplementation human rights to oi instruments essential we are to haveuniversal are if promotion protection humanriqhts. and of TheHuman RiqhtsCouncil M r .C h a i r m a n , our collective commitment enhance humanrights to the workof the UN hascometo fruition withthe commencement the workof the HumanRights of bouncil. Thisfirstyearof the council,s operation a crucial is period, thisis thetimewe laythe building as blocks thatwiltchartthe council,s functioning. Council's The work,in its pastsessioni, has beenmarked a reasonable by degree of progress' we remainconfident its mechanisms procedures, but that and including periodic"review the mechanism, thematic the work,the working groups and special rapporteur., findtheiressential *i-n shapewithinthe year. We thank the MemberStatesior putting their trust on the philippines' capacity contribute_to to makingthe humanrightsmachinery morelffective,more cooperative and morecredible.The Philippines alsotakenitscandidature has pledges seriously, I am happy and to share with the Committeethat the Philippines has made conirete gains in reatizingthese commitments. For example, the Philippines just passeda law abolisf,ing deathpjnalty in has the the country,consequently enablingus'to ratifythe second optional Protocolto the International Covenant Civil and PoliticalRights. The government also intensifyinjdomestic on is effortsto addresspressing humanrightsissues, with PreiidentArroyoherselfvowingtJ jo the extramileto investigate reports humanrightsviolations.This was exemplified of with tn"e reJentcreation two of bodies: national-level forcecalled a task TaskForce USIG, and an independent commission will that investigate, the highestpriority, with reports humanrightsviolations,'particutaiy of tnosedirected at political figures, mediapersonnel and humanrightsdeienders.Thesebodieswoutdreport the to President outlining action and policyrecommendations, including appropriate prosecution and
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legislative proposals aimedat eradicating rootcausesof theseincidents the and breaking cycle the of violence onceandfor all. tmprovinqthe inte M r .C h a i r m a n , It is a huge accomplishment the Human Rights Councilto adopt two imporlant for instruments aimed at addressing both lingering and currenthuman rights issues. The draft International Convention the Protection All Persons for of from Enforced DiJappearance responds to a substantial in international gap humanrightslaw,that is, the absence b treatythat explicily oi bans practices leadingto enforceddisappearances enshrines rightof familiesto the truth. and the On the other hand, the draft Declaration the Rightsof lndigenous on Peoplesresponds the to decades-long aspiration indigenous of members oui societies international of for recognition their for humanrights.The draftDeclaration, conjunction our national on the rightJofindigenous in with law members, solidify will and enhance humanrights the foundations the workto improve livesof of the our indigenous nationals. While States may have different ways of understanding some provisionsof these instruments, delegation my believes that what is essential that a collective is commitment been has forgedto highlight and address theseas priority humanrightsissues. The philippines thus looks forwardto the imminent adoptionof the two instruments. We remainconvinced that the aims and provisions theseinstruments, congruence national of in with principles aspirations, makefor and will a betterenvironment effectively that improves protection humanrights. the of Visits Special by Rapporteurs Mr.Chairman, In line with the commitment strengthen protection human rightsthroughthe to the of monitoring humanrightssituations, havebeenstepping domestic of we up consuliations retation in to the possibility visitsby severalSpecialRapporteurs. this regard, are happyto announce of In we the Philippines' readiness invitethe Special to Rapporteur extrijudicial, on summary anOarbitrary executionssometime in the first quarter of 2007. We appreciatethe eagernessof special mechanisms whichhaveextended invitations, assure and themthatthe Philippines, cooperation in withthe mandate holders, be ableto workout suitable will timeframes work programs enable and to effective visitations. Humanrights in the contextof migration Finally, Chairman, is with greatconcern Mr. it thatwe referto the increasing vulnerability of migrants humanrightsviolations. to The developments today's in world,including tne approac'h"s in to guardingnationalsecurity,fightingterrorismand advancingeconomicstatus,have not fully incorporated fail-safe measures that protect humanrightsof migrants.This shouldbe a matter the of utmostconcernbecausealmostall countries feel, to iome extent,the impactof migration and alsobecause any humanrightsviolation, whether committed against national a non-national, a or should seenas a serious be issue, notonlydoesit go againsi dignity the humanperson; for the of ii also leadsto destabilizing peaceand harmony the society.We coniinue be confident the in to that the Committee use its expertise will and influence mainstream to respectfor the humanrightsof migrants all aspects the UN'swork. in of y Thank ou.

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