Come 8 May 2017, the observance by the Philippine Government of the international conventions and protocols on human rights that it has agreed to be party to, will go under the microscope as the United Nations Human Rights Council conducts the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR provides a forum for other states to raise questions as to how the Philippines has met its obligations under international human rights norms and to make recommendations for action by the Philippine government.
The period under review for the 3rd cycle of the UPR is from 2012 until the present. That includes the time of the Aquino government and covered the first months of the Duterte administration.
The UPR provides an opportunity for grassroots and people’s organizations to present reports for consideration in the UPR process. Twenty-two civil society groups in the Philippines, belonging to the Philippine UPR Watch, submitted 15 individual and 4 joint alternative reports in September 2016.
Member organizations:
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) | Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) | Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) | Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) | Cordillera People’s Alliance | GABRIELA | Center for Women’s Rights (CWR) [submitted a report in partnership with Gabriela] | IBON Foundation | International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines | Initiatives Peace Mindanao (InPEACE Mindanao) | KALUMARAN | Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights) | KATRIBU | Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) | Migrante International | Moro-Christian Peoples’ Alliance | National Council of Churches in the Philippines | National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers | Promotion of Church People’s Response | Ramento Project for Rights Defenders-Iglesia Filipina Independiente | SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns | United Church of Christ in the Philippines | KAWAGIB- Alliance for the Advancement of Moro Human Rights
