PH wins bid for seat in UN Human Rights Council — DFA

We Won! The Philippine Delegation to the United Nations led by Permanent Representative Teodoro T. Locsin Jr. with Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the UN General Assembly, after the Philippines won its bid for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council during elections in New York on Friday. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs)

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday, October 12, announced that the Philippines was able to secure a seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during elections held in New York.

Obtaining 165 votes of 192 votes cast by member-states, the Philippines is granted another three-year term in the 47-member council based in Geneva from 2019 to 2021, according to the DFA.

It was from 2007 to 2009 when the Philippines first served in the council, and then from 2012 to 2014. The Philippines is serving as Vice President representing the Asia-Pacific group.

The Philippine delegation to the UN was headed byPermanent Representative Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr., who is set to replace Alan Peter Cayetano as the country’s top diplomat.

Cayetano is resigning from his post to run for congressman in Taguig in the upcoming midterm elections.

The outgoing Foreign Affairs chief welcomed this development, saying “Our successful bid to keep our seat in the Council is proof that many in the international community remain convinced the Philippines respects and protects human rights and have seen through the efforts of some to politicize and weaponize the issue.”

The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) earlier urged the UN member states to oppose the Philippines’ bid for a seat in the UNHRC, citing the killings linked to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.

“UN member countries should show their outrage at the Philippines and Eritrea by leaving two spots on the ballot sheet blank and keeping them off the council,” HRW’s  UN Director Louis Charbonneau said.

“Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s abusive ‘war on drugs’ has been a killing frenzy that has left thousands dead,” it added.

The international watchdog group claimed that more than 12,000 suspected drug dealers and users were killed since Duterte took office in 2016.

Cayetano slammed the HRW and other non-government organizations which are criticizing the Philippines’ human rights records, stressing that they are being “loud” to solicit additional funds from donors.

“Why moral bankruptcy? Katulad ngayon, budget season sa Europe. Kaya sila maingay, kasi gusto lang kumuha ng additional budget (Like now, it is the budget season in Europe. The reason why they are being loud is that they want to get an additional budget),” he said.

“If you want to talk human rights, we’re here. Upuan natin (Let’s discuss it). But [if] you just want to criticize us from afar and don’t want to give solutions, and just keep saying kayo tama kami mali (you are right and we are wrong), it’s helping no one except you and your finances,” he added.

The other member-states elected by the general assembly aside from the Philippines are as follows: Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Fiji, India, Italy, Somalia, Togo, and Uruguay.