United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan arrived in Manila for a 12-day visit on the invitation of the Philippine government.
Khan landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 onboard flight MH806 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia around 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed confidence that her visit would be an opportunity for her to “appreciate the well-rooted and flourishing democracy of the Philippines, as the oldest democratic Republic in Asia, as seen in [its] vibrant media landscape and civic space.”
Khan earlier voiced concerns on the freedom of the press in the Philippines.
In a statement, the DFA stressed the Philippine government is confident that through dialogues and meetings, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, Khan would see for herself the “transparency and progressive agenda” of the government relating to the promotion of free speech.
“This visit signifies the open, sustained, and sincere cooperation of the Philippine government with bilateral and regional partners and the UN, on many fronts, where the country promotes its human rights-based development agenda and good governance as well as its contributions in strengthening global norms to uphold human rights and dignity,” the DFA said.
Khan serves as UNSR on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression since August 1, 2020. She is the first woman to hold this position since the establishment of the mandate in 1993.
An internationally recognized advocate for human rights, gender equality and social justice, Khan taught at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. She is also co-author of The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights, which has been published in seven languages.
She also served as Secretary General of Amnesty International from 2001 to 2009. Under her leadership, Amnesty strengthened its work on political and civil rights, especially in the context of counter-terrorism and armed conflicts, while also expanding its mandate to include economic, social and cultural rights. The first woman to head Amnesty International, she launched its first global campaign to stop violence against women and girls.
From 2012 to 2019, Khan headed the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the only intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to the rule of law and sustainable development. In that capacity, she co-convened the UN Conference in Preparation of the Review of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 in 2019, the High-Level Group on Justice for Women in 2018 and the Conference on Rule of Law in Africa in 2016. She expanded programs on access to justice and championed SDG 16 on peace, justice, access to information and effective institutions.
As Consulting Editor of The Daily Star in Bangladesh from 2010 to 2011, Khan covered human rights, democracy and gender issues and supported independent media. She was visiting professor at the State University of New York Law School in 2011 and Chancellor of Salford University in the UK from 2009 to 2015.
She began her professional career with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, working for 21 years at headquarters and in various country operations, including Chief of Mission in India and Deputy Director, Division of International Protection.
The UNSR collaborates with the Columbia Global Freedom of Expression program, including as a member of the Jury of the Global Freedom of Expression Awards. She was a member of the World Bank Gender Advisory Council, the UNAIDS High Level Panel on HIV Prevention and Human Rights, and the UN Global Compact Advisory Council. She also sits on the governing boards of the Overseas Development Institute (UK), BRAC (Bangladesh) and Barefoot Law (Uganda).
She is also a recipient of several awards, including the Sydney Peace Prize in 2006, for her contribution to human rights. Born in Bangladesh, she studied at Manchester University and Harvard Law School.
Khan will be the fourth UNSR to visit the Philippines, following SR for the sale and exploitation of children Fatimah Singhateh in November 2022, and SR for climate change and human rights Ian Fry in November 2023. SR for extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions Morris Tidball-Binz visited the country in February 2023 for an academic visit. – With Joel Zurbano