DFA lauds PH election to UN Human Rights Council

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday hailed the election of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.

The Philippines gained 165 out of 192 votes during the elections at the UN General Assembly last Friday. It became one of the 17 member states that earned a seat in the council from 2018 to 2020.

Outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano acknowledged the human rights advocates but also denounced who are “morally corrupt.”

“We thank human rights advocates around the world, but also condemn a few who are morally corrupt and who use human rights for political and financial gain,” Cayetano said in a statement.

He added that, despite criticisms from some human rights groups, the Philippine was able to garner 52 votes higher than the 113 votes it received in 2015.

“The numbers speak volumes of the confidence of the international community on the human rights record of the Duterte administration and its vision of keeping each and every Filipino safe and secure,” Cayetano said.

Bahrain, Cameroon and the Philippines were among the states controversially elected in the UN Human Rights Council after gaining criticism from human rights groups.

READ: UN criticized over latest picks for rights council

The country was first elected to the UN Human Rights Body for a term starting in 2007 and ending in 2009. It had a second term, from 2012 to 2014. /atm