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to discharge its global responsibilities as the principal human rights body of the
United Nations.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEW COUNCIL
The scope of these responsibilities is enormous.
We look to the Council to encourage norms and codes of conduct that will
foster the universal protection and promotion of human rights.
We want the Council to mobilize resources to strengthen the capacity of
developing member states to institute the full range of human rights observance.
We hope that the Council will bring us together, rather than split us apart,
by avoiding discrimination, inequality and politicization of our deliberations and
actions on human rights.
And we expect that the Council will not stand idly by in the face of the
most clear and egregious violations of human rights .
AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT
From the perspective of the Philippines, the Council has already taken key
steps since its inaugural session. Institution-building working groups have
progressed in their work, while the Council has gone forward with its primary task
of addressing substantive human rights issues.
The Philippines supports the Councils recommendation to the General
Assembly that the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the
Convention on Enforced Disappearances be adopted.
These international agreements significantly advance the global human
rights agenda. Many develop norms to cover new and pioneering areas of
human rights concern. Indeed, it would serve us well for the Council to cultivate
a forward-looking and visionary approach.
The Philippines also supports the decisions of the Council on the need for
action against extreme poverty, on the right to development, on regional
cooperation, and on the effective implementation of international human rights
instruments.
These decisions embody our commitment to avoid the feared gap in
human rights protection during the Councils transitional period.
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But the true test and larger challenge remain. The Council must have
credible and predictable working methods in order to fulfill its many
responsibilities in a timely, effective and equitable manner.
BUILDING A STRONG HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
The way forward is clear if we are to build a strong and responsive
Council.
First, sovereign equality has to remain the major organizing principle of
the Council as it is for the rest of the work of the United Nations. There is no
other means of ensuring fairness, balance and broad universality in the global
discourse on human rights. The Philippines and all developing nations see in
sovereignty, not only equity but a protective shield.
Second, nonetheless, all member states must not only accept but
embrace the reality that there are many other stakeholders who deserve be part
of that discourse. In the Philippines, we have always had an active and critical
civil society with a diversity of actors. Inclusiveness strengthens the collective
commitment to human rights.
Third, we must have openness, transparency and accountability in our
proceedings. If we are to rise above the past and protect future generations, we
have to establish working mechanisms that will promote dialogue and exchange.
Without open avenues for discussion, we cannot compare perspectives and
arrive at consensus on what we need to do.
Fourth, internal consistency in what we do is not enough. The Council
must have external credibility as well. It must not drift into becoming a closeddoor talkshop. It is not to ourselves that we must justify our existence. The world
has to see us work and believe in our work, or else we fail.
THE FIRST PRIORITY
Mr. President.
The Philippine shares the view of many delegations that the priority of the
Council during its first year should be institution-building.
Strong foundations will give the Council stability to pursue constructive
dialogue and cooperation among all states and stakeholders to strengthen the
global protection and promotion of human rights..
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The past hundred years have seen the most tragic mass violations of human
rights in every region of the world. We must resolve never to let these happen
again.
We must not politicize human rights, which has led only to discord and
dysfunction.
We must not allow a world of growing inequality, among and within nations, to
lead to unequal treatment in human rights as well.
Human rights should not just unify us, they must also be an equalizer among us
all, if we are to avoid the terrible mistakes of the past.
In the words of the venerable Mahatma Gandhi, If we are to make progress, we
must not repeat history, but make new history.
Thank you.