PH welcomes a UN Special Rapporteur to evaluate the human rights system.

On Monday, Special Rapporteur Irene Khan of the United Nations (UN) touched down in the Philippines with the aim of evaluating the government's human rights apparatus, with a specific focus on freedom of opinion and expression.

Khan landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at roughly 12:30 p.m. while traveling from Kuala Lumpur on a Malaysia Airlines flight. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) representatives greeted her.

"She will be here for a 10-day visit starting tomorrow. Khan does not have an official engagement with the President, but she will meet with different government agencies to assess the country's human rights mechanisms," PTFoMS Chief of Staff Jyro Go said after leading Khan to a vehicle.

According to Go, Khan is scheduled to visit Tacloban, Manila, Cebu, and Baguio, where he is expected to hold meetings with local government leaders.

According to Go, she will also travel to Leyte to see a journalist who is purportedly facing charges related to financing of terrorism.

Khan also mentioned the potential of meeting with the media and civil societies.

"Khan will give recommendations to the UN as to how we could improve our human rights mechanisms," Go said, as they look forward to constructive criticisms.

The PTFoms official stated that her ideas will assist the government in addressing threats, improving public information office procedures, and addressing gender disparity.

"That's also one of our goals -- to make the government and public sectors provide more positions for women and have more women participate in activities," he stated.

Go stated that the PTFoMS is this project's main coordinating organization.

"We've prepared well for Khan's visit. We've coordinated with agencies such as the DOJ (Department of Justice), the PCO (Presidential Communications Office), the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), as well as the Presidential Human Rights Committee," he stated. (PNA)

Via Pna.gov