UN rapporteur in PH to assess human rights, media freedom

UNITED Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan is in Manila to assess the government’s human rights mechanisms, particularly on the freedom of opinion and expression, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Khan, who is the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, arrived yesterday for a 10-day visit.

The DFA and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said Khan, who will be staying in the country until February 2, is expected to meet with representatives of the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), Anti-Terrorism Council Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Department of Justice (DOJ), DFA, Supreme Court, House of Representatives, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), among others.

“Ms. Khan will examine the state of rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the country through a series of diverse and cooperative dialogues. Her visit, spanning Metro Manila, Baguio City, and Cebu City, will focus on exploring legal and policy frameworks related to the safety of journalists and their sources, freedom of opinion and expression in the digital age, media freedom, access to information, disinformation, hate speech, and the expression of marginalized individuals, including indigenous peoples,” the DFA said in a brief statement.

“In the spirit of openness and cooperation, the Philippine government is giving its full support for the successful implementation of the UN SR’s mandate during her country visit.

This visit underscores the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a robust environment for freedom of expression and opinion, in alignment with global human rights principles,” it also said.

At the end of her visit, Khan is expected to come up with a final report to be considered during the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.

PTFoMS Executive Director and Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said the visit of Khan provides an opportunity for the government to highlight the Philippines’ unwavering dedication