Remulla to meet with UN special rapporteur Singhateh - DOJ

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will meet with United Nations Special Rapporteur Mama Fatima Singhateh next week as she assesses efforts to prevent the sale and sexual exploitation of children in the country, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Saturday.

“Yesterday, I invited [the] UN special rapporteur to visit DOJ if and when her schedule permits. She agreed, and we have just confirmed that she will be visiting DOJ on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, after lunch,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said.

The DOJ spokesman said Remulla is expected “to express his gratitude to the UN representative for visiting the Philippines and to answer any questions she may still have after her visit to the different local governments around the country.”

Clavano said Remulla would also give a more macro perspective on the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) situation and describe the role of the national government in quelling such criminal behavior.

“We are looking forward to the UN special rapporteur’s visit to [the] DOJ. Even more, we believe that this visit will provide more momentum in our war against OSAEC,” he added. 

UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan, meanwhile, will visit the country next year, according to the Commission on Human Rights.

"As independent experts, they are expected and have been proven to act with probity and constant regard to human rights principles and standards. Their standing at the international level gives them the capacity to look at country situations with a fresh and unprejudiced eye," the CHR said last month. — VBL, GMA Integrated News