The Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) has committed to continue its support of human rights work in the Philippines, including the strengthening of the legal and justice system as well as protecting civic space in the country.
Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster made the commitment in a cooperation agreement with United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez and and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc in a ceremony at the UN office in Manila last Monday, November 25.
Lyster said that the program is another example of Norway’s efforts to support the improvement of human rights protection mechanisms in the Philippines.
The envoy also commended the Philippine government’s declaration that the current administration’s fight against dangerous drugs need not involve “extermination.”
Gonzalez thanked Norway for its continued support as it helps promote and protect human rights “as an integral part of the broader development agenda.”
Palpal-latoc explained that the Philippines is in need of such assistance as it saw “extra judicial killings, erosion of press freedom, shrinking civic spaces, systemic issues impacting indigenous peoples, the COVID-19 pandemic’s exacerbation of socio-economic inequalities, and the devastating effect of natural disasters linked to climate change” in the last decade alone.
“[The] CHR expresses its deepest gratitude to the Norwegian Government and to the Office of the High Commission on Human Rights for their support, commitment, and invaluable partnership in supporting a shared vision of a more just, inclusive and rights-respecting Philippine society,” Palpal-latoc said.
“We look forward to an enduring and fruitful collaboration, united by our common goal of making human rights a reality for everyone,” he added.
Known for its strong support of human rights and democracy around the world, the RNG is also the Third Party Facilitator to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
