The latest go to of United Nations Special Rapporteur Mama Fatima Singhateh within the nation turned an opportunity to indicate the federal government’s effort in advancing youngster rights, based on the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) on Friday.
Singhateh not too long ago concluded her 10-day go to within the Philippines after assessing efforts to the sale and sexual exploitation of youngsters within the nation.
She was accompanied by Antara Singh, human rights officer from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Severo Catura, govt director of the PHRC secretariat underneath the Office of the President, mentioned Singhateh’s go to led to sharing of greatest practices and offering an efficient decision of human rights considerations.
“The freedom of movement and inquiry afforded by the government that allowed Madame Singhateh to meet stakeholders from civil society is yet another manifestation of a wide civic space existing in the country, for which we thank these stakeholders for their constructive participation and professionalism, all for the sake of our children,” Catura said in a statement.
“By this way, this country visit has become a chance to showcase the Philippine government’s efforts and good practices in child rights policy that other countries can emulate, and at the same time see where improvements can be made,” he added.
The UN rapporteur’s visit, which started on November 28 until December 7, included meetings with representatives from the Philippine executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and covered the areas of prevention, protection, justice, and rehabilitation.
She also held dialogues with children and civil society organizations working on child welfare issues in the different parts of the country.
“While UNSR visits are an opportunity to benefit from the expertise, wisdom, and experience of no less than UN experts, the Philippines’ engagements are geared toward rendering the work of these experts responsive to the actual human rights realities of States they visit,” Catura said.
“In this regard, we do our share in strengthening the UNSR mechanism,” he added.
The Department of Justice earlier bared that the Philippines remained to be a source and place for youngster trafficking, sale, sexual abuse, and compelled marriage and labor, amongst others.
No express authorized provision within the Constitution exists to penalize the exploitation of youngsters for journey and tourism.
Singhateh mentioned there may be an under-reporting of kid victims of sale and sexual exploitation within the nation because the definition and distinction between these phrases are “inadequate.”
She then really useful a distinction within the legislation between the sale of youngsters and youngster trafficking.
Singhateh additionally emphasised the necessity for extra help on monetary and human useful resource points to deal with the wants of the kids in these establishments.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News
