MANILA, Philippines- One of the main topics discussed by the Philippines and the European Union (EU) in a human rights meeting this week was the protection of journalists.
“Both sides underlined the importance of a strong independent media environment, including by strengthening prosecution for crimes against journalists,” saad sa joint statement ng dalawang partido.
The announcement was made following the second EU-Philippines sub-committee meeting on good governance, rule of law, and human rights in the Philippines, on Thursday.
The statement by the EU and the Philippines is still after the incident of the ambush and killing of veteran broadcaster Percival Mabasa.
“Former senator Leila de Lima’s case was also raised, as well as the cases of journalists and media workers, such as Maria Ressa, when freedom of opinion and expression, media and information were discussed at length. The Philippines provided updates to these cases,” dagdag na pahayag nito.
Aside from protecting the rights of journalists, the sub-committee meeting also discussed “migration, boosting the criminal justice system, the Mindanao peace process, and the Philippines’ commitments to address alleged extrajudicial killings.”
“Both the EU and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights while recognizing the need for further action on a number of human rights issues,” ang nakasaad sa kalatas sabay sabing “The GSP+ monitoring mission of February 2022, assessed the progress, and provided an additional platform for continued engagement on human rights and labor rights issues.”
The right to development and the freedom of association and assembly were also discussed.
Both sides promised to protect human rights defenders from violence and harassment and ensure the freedom of civil society.
Both sides expressed concern over cases of violation and abuse of human rights and international humanitarian laws and emphasized the need to hold the guilty accountable.
On the other hand, the Philippines also emphasized the importance of the United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights (UNJP), which supports the government’s commitments in the field of accountability, including the “context of the anti-illegal drugs campaign, police data on human rights violations, civic space, drug control, counter-terrorism, and national reporting mechanism.”
The EU reaffirmed its continued support to the UNJP and to strengthen “illegal drug rehabilitation, reintegration, and advocacy work.”
The EU encouraged the Philippines to continue its constructive engagement and strengthen cooperation with civil society organizations.
Meanwhile, the two countries are looking forward to participating in the 4th Asean-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights from October 24 to 26.
The Philippines invited the EU to join the activities and programs of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
The sub-committee is co-chaired by Jaime Victor Ledda, assistant secretary of the Office of European Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Paola Pampaloni, deputy managing director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service. Chris Joseph
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