U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines

41st Session, November 14, 2022

As delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor

Thank you, Madame President.

The United States welcomes the distinguished delegation from the Philippines led by their Secretary of Justice.

We appreciate the commitment of the Philippines to advance accountability for extrajudicial killings under the UN Joint Program and encourage continued technical cooperation with the UN to strengthen domestic investigation and accountability mechanisms.

We recommend that the Philippines:

1. End the practice of “red-tagging” and ensure protection of human rights defenders from arbitrary arrest, harassment, and other human rights abuses including by adopting the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act.

2. Review and revise laws and regulations that unduly restrict or inhibit freedom of expression and independent media, including Penal Code articles 353 and 355; the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 section 9.

3. Continue to conduct impartial, transparent, and thorough investigations into all allegations of extrajudicial killings and violations of human rights relating to drug enforcement operations and hold perpetrators accountable.

We wish the Philippines a successful UPR.
I thank you.