PHL pushes for climate change on UN human rights agenda

Citing heavy losses to life and property due to recent typhoons, the Philippines pushed for the inclusion of climate change in the agenda of the United Nations' Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The Philippines, together with Bangladesh, urged the UNHRC to help address the effects of climate change on human rights. In presenting the resolution, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evan Garcia said, "Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world community, with direct and severe impacts on a wide range of human rights." Dubbed "Human Rights and Climate Change," the joint resolution aired concerns that climate change threatens people around the world and affects their full enjoyment of human rights. Garcia said, "The Philippines is extremely vulnerable to climate change, and our people experience the adverse effects of climate change on their human rights and livelihoods on a daily basis." The Philippines is still reeling from the damage brought by recent typhoons "Pedring" (Nesat) and "Quiel" (Nalgae). In its 6:00 a.m. update on Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from the two typhoons has gone up to 90 and the estimated cost of damage to property breached the P12-billion mark. Typhoon "Pedring" affected 635,708 families (or 2,957,957 people) in 3,446 villages in 35 provinces. Some 29 bridge and road sections remain impassable due to the damage from the typhoons. "Extreme weather events such as increasing typhoons and floods wreck havoc on thousands of peoples' lives. Sea rise and coral bleaching directly impact on the fundamental human rights to life, food, health and adequate housing of our people," Garcia said. "In a generation, the Philippines could stand to lose 300 of its islands due to climate change. The most vulnerable groups, such as the poor, women and children and indigenous peoples, unjustly bear the brunt of climate change," he added. He noted that many other countries, especially developing and least developing countries - "those least responsible for climate change - are experiencing similar problems." The resolution cites the effects of climate change on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It also noted the global nature of climate change calls and how it calls for appropriate international response. The resolution asked the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene a seminar on addressing the impact of climate change on human rights. The Permanent Missions of the Philippines and Bangladesh in Geneva held extensive negotiations with all delegations during the 18th session of the Human Rights Council, which were facilitated by Second Secretary Hendrik Garcia. Co-sponsors At least 41 countries co-sponsored the Philippines-Bangladesh resolution: Algeria Benin Djibouti Indonesia Namibia Nepal Pakistan Palestine Sri Lanka Thailand Uruguay Venezuela Vietnam Zimbabwe Botswana Burkina Faso Cuba Ecuador Maldives Mauritius Peru Qatar Romania Senegal Spain Chad Germany Ireland Lebanon Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Monaco Singapore Sudan Egypt Greece Bulgaria Netherlands Nicaragua, and Montenegro. - VVP, GMA News