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<p>The British Government regularly raises concerns about a range of troubling human
rights issues in the Philippines with the Government, including the treatment of human
rights defenders, the deteriorating space for political debate, reintroduction of
the death penalty and media freedom.</p><p>The UK co-sponsored an Icelandic resolution
on the human rights situation in the Philippines at the 41st session of the UN Human
Rights Council in July which highlighted these concerns. The Prime Minister’s Trade
Envoy to the Philippines raised our human rights concerns with Cabinet Secretaries
in February 2019. We also discussed human rights with Philippines Under-Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo during the UK-Philippines High Level Talks in
Manila in November 2018.</p><p>The British Government hosted a global conference on
Media Freedom on 10-11 July. The prominent Philippine human rights defender and journalist,
Maria Ressa, was one of the key speakers.</p><p>The British Embassy in Manila is closely
following the cases of sedition filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in July
against 36 opposition figures, including Maria Lourdes Sereno, Vice President Leni
Robredo, Congressmen Antonio Tinio and Ariel Casilao, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and
Senator Leila de Lima.</p><p>We are following discussions around federalism in the
Philippines. Our Embassy in Manila has held discussions with the Philippine Government
covering proposed timelines for implementation and format, as well as offering reflections
on the UK model of devolution.</p>
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