Philippine Civil Society experience regarding the implementation of the UPR recommendations

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Philippine Civil Society experience regarding the
implementation of the UPR recommendations

• Presented by
• Carlo Cleofe
• International Lobby TFDP

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• a) Experiences regarding the implementation of
  UPR recommendations on the Philippines. b)
  Lessons learnedc) Possible recommendationsto
  NGOS base on Philippine Experience
• d) Ways the Mechanism can be improved

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Philippine Civil Society Lobby was a success
  because
• We were able to achieve all the lobby objectives
  that we have set
• We manage to submit a credible and comprehensive
  report that was the effort of a broad coalition
  of different civil society groups (39 ngos)

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Philippine Civil Society Lobby was a success
  because
• We were able to establish links with
  international and regional NGOs who were very
  helpful, and through their help gave us an
  opportunity to really maximize our lobby work in
  Geneva.
• We were able to meet with several representatives
  of the Missions in Geneva and to provide them
  with our own list of questions and
  recommendations (19 missions, 16 spoke on our
  behalf)

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Recommendations
• 41 states spoke during the interactive dialogue (
  11 made recommendations, 25 made inquiries on
  issues pertaining to protection of women and
  children, migrants, indigenous peoples, steps
  taken by government to address cases of
  extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced
  disappearance, and the conflict in Mindanao

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Government Response

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Commitments of the government based on
  recommendations made
• Ratification of the OPCAT
• Strengthening follow-up measures to address the
  issue of extrajudicial killings
• Development of a National Human Rights Action
  Plan

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Actual result
• Government has yet to ratify the OPCAT
• Government conducted a consultation workshop with
  civil society regarding the National Human Rights
  Action Plan but as of now the initiatives for
  this has been shelved
• While there has been a downtrend on cases of
  extrajudicial killings it is not due to the
  measures instituted by government.

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Civil Society Advocacy
• Continued lobby among concerned government
  agencies regarding the recommendations made
  during the UPR review.
• Making mention of the UPR recommendations
  relevant to subsequent reports submitted to the
  Treaty bodies.
• Lobbying for legislation of human rights laws
• Engaging the Presidential Human Rights Committee
  in dialogue

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Some Conclusions
• The UPR Process of the Human Rights Council (HRC)
  though still EVOLVING in terms of procedures and
  modalities presents a venue for civil society
  organizations to engage governments on the real
  condition of human rights on the ground.

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Some Conclusions
• It must never be forgotten that the UPR Process
  is a NATIONAL PROCESS.

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Some Conclusions
• UPR is a STATE PROCESS. It is a process of the
  organization of States or Governments. It must
  be with no illusions that it shall (always) cater
  for the CSOs. But as long as avenues for
  engagement are presented, CSO must not default
  from its duty to rise above pre-conceived ideas
  of government propping up government. A
  benefit of doubt should always give way to
  critical engagement to highlight human rights
  issues of individuals and community - victims of
  State sponsored human rights violations. Our
  mandate is for the protection, promotion and
  fulfillment of human rights for all, we should
  never renege of that duty.

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Philippine Civil Society experience

• Some Conclusions
• The experience in lobby work in Geneva aided
  national NGOs in considering certain aspects of
  work in the international level. It provided
  ground for improvement on the following areas
• Monitoring and follow-up of UN bodies report,
• Monitoring statements and stand on issues of the
  Philippine mission,
• Developing communication and information sharing
  among network NGOs at the international level,
• Maximizing information sharing and lobby work
  among the country embassies in the Philippines in
  relation to the results of the UPR,
• Developing advocacy work that would ensure
  foreign policy is placed under public scrutiny
  and accountability at the domestic level.

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• SALAMAT PO!
• THANK YOU!
• MUCHAS GRACIAS!
• OBRIGADO, OBRIGADA!