United Nations Special Rapporteur (UN SR) on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Ms. Irene Khan have paid courtesy visit to the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
As part of her visit in the Philippine Khan has been received by
Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Hon. Charles C. Jose.
Among the topics that were being discussed is the commitment of the Philippines in terms of human rights, freedom of opinion and expression.
Jose have shared the Philippines’ record in enabling civil society to organizations and media to serve as a
“strong and important pillar in the country’s democracy.”
He emphasized the vibrancy of the Philippines as the oldest democratic Republic in Asia, with over 2,000 private media outlets, and a zealous commitment to sustaining democratic order through a constitutionally protected freedom of expression.
Ms. Khan conveyed that her current visit acknowledges the Philippines’ “mature media landscape represented by its long history of open media, especially among Asian countries.”
The DFA also highlighted the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) as a symbol of support for freedom of expression and a reflection of the elevated status of journalists in the country. The PTFOMS is one of the only institutions in the world with a dedicated mandate to protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers.
The DFA officials have expressed assurances of the government’s support to SR Khan on her visit, and in the consultations on her report that she will submit to the Human Rights Council.