Global IssuesDisarmamentEnvironmentHuman RightsChildrenCountry SituationsGeneralIndigenous PeoplesOther TopicsRacial and religiousReformTreatiesUniversal Periodic ReviewWomenInternational SecurityInternational OrganisationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
New Zealand welcomes H.E Ermita and the delegation of the Philippines to the Council. We warmly welcome this opportunity to engage with the Philippines on human rights, in addition to our regular bilateral interaction.
We commend the Government of the Philippines for its open and innovative approach to the UPR process, including its willingness to engage in frank dialogue and to share its experiences in identifying and overcoming human rights challenges with others.
In its report, the Government of the Philippines observes that there are gaps in matching the location of services to combat violence against women and their children with the incidences of violence against women that occur by region or province, and the prevalence of VAW cases.
The report also notes the need for wider gender-responsive judicial and non-judicial interventions and suggests that the special needs for rehabilitation and post-conflict care of women and children in vulnerable situations and conflict areas need to be addressed.
New Zealand would welcome the delegation’s comments on the steps the Government of the Philippines is taking, or is contemplating, to address these issues.
In this context, we recommend that the Philippines continues to develop a gender-responsive approach to issues of violence against women and continues to build a supportive environment for women and children within the judicial system. We suggest that this environment take into account the special needs for rehabilitation and post-conflict care of women and children in vulnerable situations and conflict areas. And we would welcome any initial comments the delegation is able to make on this suggested recommendation.
