Page 32 - SEPTEMBER 2017 B ISSUE

32 www.hello-philippines.com
PH SCORES UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR
MISCHARACTERIZING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION
THE Philippines today scored
United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
for having severely mischaracterized
the situation in the Philippines in his
report to the Human Rights Council. should follow approved protocols to
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter
S. Cayetano and Philippine Deputy
Permanent Representative Maria
Teresa Almojuela separately called out
the Commissioner for criticizing the
Philippine Government’s human rights
record, saying his report on the conduct
of anti-drug operations was deliberate
misinformation. countries to undergo the review in 2008,
“The Philippines has provided the
Human Rights Council with all the facts
regarding the campaign against illegal
drugs in our report to the Third Cycle
of the Universal Periodic Review [UPR]
in May 2017,” Secretary Cayetano said. report he provided during the UPR
ASEAN Women’s Circle
Holds Charity Bazaar in DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The ASEAN
Women’s Circle – Washington D.C.
(AWC-DC) organized a Charity Bazaar
at the Royal Thai Embassy on Saturday
afternoon, 09 September 2017.
Diplomatic ladies and spouses
gathered together and showcased various
items in their respective booths— from
authentic Southeast Asian cuisines and
traditional handicrafts, decorative items,
household goods, shoes, clothes, and
many more—all at affordable prices.
Around 150 Washingtonians graced
the bazaar to enjoy the authentic food
and numerous products sold in each
booth.
The Philippine Embassy chose to
promote fresh water pearl earrings and
purses and wallets made from abaca
fibers, all of which were brought all the
way from the Philippines.
“The Charity Bazaar provided an
opportunity not only for the diplomatic
ladies and spouses but for the whole
ASEAN community in Washington,
D.C. to demonstrate camaraderie
and generosity while promoting each
Philippine Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim Minister Patrick Chuasoto with the Embassy
team at the Philippine booth during the AWC-DC
Charity Bazaar on 09 September 2017.
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD September 2017 / Fortnightly – No. 18 • UK & Europe Edition
“The Commissioner’s report would Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to fight the “Like any country, the Philippines “The UPR has shown our openness
have been balanced and accurate had drug problem by all means that the law cannot and does not assert that it to constructive dialogue to continue to
he considered the information that allows. manages the challenges to human rights enhance and strengthen the protection
we provided, instead of just relying on in a perfect manner, but the Philippine and promotion of human rights in
uncorroborated information,” he said. “The anti-illegal drug campaign government, more than any party here, the country,” Ambassador Almojuela
seeks justice and dignity for all Filipino added.
Secretary Cayetano made the ensure the protection of human rights, people,” she said.
statement even as he reiterated the and that any erring law enforcement The Universal Periodic Review is
commitment of the Philippines to agent would be investigated and In her statement, Ambassador a state-led process, which seeks to
continue constructively engaging the prosecuted to the full extent of the Almojuela underscored that the promote cooperation among United
UN Human Rights Council. law,” said the Secretary, who led the Philippines “is a democratic country that Nations Member States in further
Philippine delegation to the Third Cycle strongly adheres to the rule of law, with enhancing their respective national
“The Philippines has actively of the UPR in Geneva and presented the well-established and institutionalized human rights policies and practices.
participated in the Universal Periodic country report. human rights, policies and programs.”
Review process, and was one of the first Many UN Member States, especially
In Geneva, Deputy Permanent “The Philippine Government those from ASEAN and developing
having championed the establishment Representative Almojuela responded to investigates and prosecutes all credible countries, expressed support for the
of the UPR process under the UN the Commissioner’s report, stating that allegations of human rights violations, efforts of the Philippines to address
Human Rights Council Mechanism,” including those perpetrated allegedly the drug menace. Some Member
Secretary Cayetano stated. “the practice of making highly- by state security forces,” Ambassador States also committed to provide
biased and sweeping generalizations, Almojuela said in her statement at the support for the Philippine drug
According to the Secretary, the without due consideration of the facts 36th Human Rights Council General treatment and rehabilitation plans. n
on the ground, has no place in the Debate.
Periodic Review emphasized President Human Rights Council.” Philippine Embassy Philippines
Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano and U.S. Ambassador
Sung Kim sign the 5th Amendment to the PHL-US Letter
of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.
Department of Foreign Affairs, 8 September 2017.
country’s unique identity and rich Hoang Bich Lien of the Viet Nam Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano
culture,” said Philippine Embassy Embassy, Madame Wanchana and U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Manawapat of the Thai Embassy, shake hands at the conclusion of
Patrick A. Chuasoto. and Philippine Embassy Chargé d’ the signing of the 5th Amendment
Affaires ad interim, Minister Patrick to the PHL-US Letter of Agreement
AWC-DC President, Madame Chuasoto. on Narcotics Control and Law
Reshanty Bowoleksono of the Enforcement. Department of Foreign
Indonesian Embassy led the ribbon Proceeds of the bazaar will go Affairs, 8 September 2017.
cutting ceremony held prior to the to orphanages in Myanmar and
official opening of the bazaar. Also Vietnam, and to each country’s
present are Madame Sovanntevy Run charity of choice. n Philippine Embassy
of the Cambodian Embassy, Madame
Philippines | September 12, 2017
PHL-US Counternarcotics Cooperation
Puts Emphasis on Drug Demand Reduction
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Alan Peter recognize the importance of working
Cayetano and US Ambassador Sung together and working comprehensively,
ASEAN Women’s Circle – Washington, D.C. (AWC-DC) President, Madame Reshanty Bowoleksono Kim signed the fifth amendment to the including with our longstanding partners
(Indonesian Embassy) led the ribbon cutting ceremony of the AWC-DC Charity Bazaar held at the
Royal Thai Embassy on 09 September 2017. Also gracing the ceremony are Madame Sovanntevy Run 2011 Letter of Agreement on Narcotics like the US, to ensure that illegal drugs
(Cambodian Embassy), Madame Hoang Bich Lien (Viet Nam Embassy), Madame Wanchana Manawapat
(Thai Embassy), and Philippine Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim, Minister Patrick Chuasoto. Control and Law Enforcement between cease to become an attractive option
the Philippines and the United States of to our people especially our youth,”
America. Secretary Cayetano said.
While previous amendments were used “This agreement reflects the depth of
to fund programs on law enforcement and cooperation between the Philippines and
rule of law, the fifth amendment will focus the US,” Ambassador Kim said. “We share
on drug demand reduction projects. The the concern of President Duterte about
US Government will provide USD 2 Million drugs. It is a real menace.”
to improve the Philippines’ capacity to In 2011, the Philippines and the US
conduct awareness, prevention, treatment, signed the first Letter of Agreement on
and rehabilitation activities that would Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement,
curtail the market for illicit drugs. which allows the US to provide funds to
“Winning the fight against illicit drugs support programs and projects aimed at
is the top priority of President Duterte. enhancing law enforcement capabilities
Guests visit the Philippine Embassy As the drug problem in the country and supporting justice sector reforms. n
booth during the AWC-DC Charity
Bazaar on 09 September 2017. is pervasive and well-entrenched, we Philippine Embassy Philippines | September 8, 2017