Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they provide support to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council in the Philippines; if so, what support they provide; and whether they intend to (1) call for an independent inquiry into recent human rights violations in the Philippines, (2) make the Philippines an FCO Human Rights priority, (3) take steps to protect Human Rights Defenders in that country, (4) call for the full implementation of Republic Act 7610 for the protection of children and young people.

​The UK is concerned about reports of human rights abuses in the Philippines, including the high death toll associated with the 'war on drugs', the treatment of human rights defenders, journalists and land rights campaigners and moves to reintroduce the death penalty.

In August 2018, the Minister for Asia and the Pacific raised our concerns with several Philippine Ministers during his trip to Manila. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raised human rights with the Philippines Ambassador on 21 September. At the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018, we urged the Philippines to investigate killings associated with the "war on drugs" and to ensure the safety of Land Rights Defenders.

We do not currently provide any support to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council and have no plans to do so.

Our Embassy in Manila has used Her Majesty's Government's Modern Slavery Fund to support groups working on the effective implementation of the Republic Act 7610.