Philippines faces UN Human Rights Council today

The Arroyo government’s 44-member delegation led by Exective Secretary Eduardo Ermita will face the United Nations Human Rights Council for the country’s first-ever “universal periodic review” of its rights record and compliance with rights-related treaties and other international obligations.

Days before, the Philippine UPR Watch and OFW organizations started last-ditch lobbying efforts to expose what they call as “lies” that said to dominate the Arroyo government’s report.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino said that Ermita et all will appear before the UNHRC at 2:30 pm, Geneva time (8:30 pm in Manila).

Here is a video of some of a protest actions taken by Migrante Switzerland during the “lavish buffet” served by and for Ermita.

Let’s hope that justice, truth and accountability will be served in the UN. The Arroyo government’s report must be examined under direct sunlight because only by doing so will the UN give elementary justice to victims of political slays, abductions and other abuses of human rights.

Click here and here for more about the UPR from US-based watchdog Human Rights Watch.