Former Senator Leila de Lima recently met with United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) for Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan, who is currently on official visit to assess the state of free speech in the Philippines, among other human rights related issues.
De Lima described their meeting as “very engaging and insightful.” She took the opportunity to share with Khan her personal struggles as a political prisoner during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Shared my insights on press freedom under Duterte and my difficult journey amid relentless persecution by the Duterte regime,” De Lima posted on X (formerly Twitter) after their meeting Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 30.
“Honored [and] grateful, Madame Khan, for your unbending support for our shared causes in fighting disinformation, protecting free speech, and upholding justice [and] human rights,” the former Justice Secretary and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson added.
Khan also met with CHR representatives on Wednesday, Jan. 31, to share her own insights on the state of press freedom in the country, laws on the rights to freedom of expression, access to digital communications and their impacts to various sectors, including the marginalized.
The independent constitutional office noted the significance of Khan’s visit as “part of the special procedures established by the UN.” CHR said it respects her mandate to report on a range of human rights concerns from a thematic or country-specific point of view on behalf of the Human Rights Council.
CHR is one of the government institutions visited by the special rapporteur to assess the current state of the Philippines’ compliance to its human rights obligations, particularly within the context of freedom of opinion and expression.
Representatives from civil society organizations and private companies also took part in separate engagements with Khan as arranged by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, alongside field visits in Baguio and Cebu.
The findings of the Special Rapporteur based on her meeting with the CHR would be part of her final report to be presented at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.
The preliminary observations and implementation of Khan’s recommendations would be discussed with the Philippine government at the end of her visit. The special rapporteur arrived in the country last Jan. 22 and is scheduled to leave by Feb. 2 after completing her mission.