MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed the election of Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Evan Garcia as vice president to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
In a statement, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said having Garcia in the leadership body of the UNHRC “is consistent with the Philippines’ long standing policy of active engagement in the field of human rights.”
“More importantly, this is a strong affirmation of the high regard and trust in the leadership of the Philippines in the field of human rights by the UN member states, in general, and the 47 of UNHRC member states, in particular,” he added.
Garcia was unanimously elected as vice president of the UNHRC at the meeting of the Council on January 10.
Per the department, he will represent the Asia Pacific Group in UNHRC Bureau, the leadership body of the UNHRC.
The UNHRC is the leading organ of the UN for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights.
It is composed of 47 UN member states elected to serve in the Council for a renewable term of three years. The Philippines is finishing its term with the UNHRC this year. (PNA)
