The Philippines boasts a positive environment for engagement in human rights issues, with a receptive government, democratic institutions, an effective national human rights institution, an active UN Country Team that seeks the integration of human rights, and a vibrant civil society. Concerns have been raised by Special Procedures, however, about human rights violations in the context of law enforcement. The Philippines has championed the development of an ASEAN human rights mechanism, and its national human rights commission is at the forefront of regional cooperation efforts. In 2007, OHCHR worked with the Philippines to host regional meetings on national human rights institutions and violence against women, and built local capacity for treaty reporting and follow-up.
The UN Country Team has expressed interest in a Human Rights Adviser post to mainstream human rights and support the implementation of relevant UNDAF recommendations to strengthen the national human rights protection systems. The Philippines will be among the first Member States to be considered under the Universal Periodic Review in 2008.