PH allows visit of European Parliament human rights subcommittee

Members of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights are expected to visit the country later this week as part of Philippines and the EU’s “open and regular engagement on human rights.”

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines has accepted the request of the subcommittee to visit the country from February 22 to 24.

Six members of the European Parliament will lead the delegation to Manila.

The delegation will have courtesy calls with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual “and participate in a dialogue with executive agencies.”

They are slated to meet their counterparts in the Senate and the House of Representatives “to exchange views on best practices and legislation.

The delegation of the European Union in the Philippines said the subcommittee visits several countries a year as part of the panel’s “core work.”

“The visit of the EP DROI is taking place in the context of the open and regular engagement between the Philippines and the EU on human rights, and the shared aim to further constructive dialogue and cooperation on human rights,” the DFA said in a statement.

This includes the framework of the EU GO-JUST Program, which supports and complements national reforms in the justice sector.

The DFA said, “The Philippines’ relationships with the European Union and its members have steadily expanded across political, economic and security areas.”

“These relationships are founded on mutual interest and shared values of democracy and freedom, rule of law, peace and stability and human rights,” the DFA said. —NB, GMA Integrated News