Geneva, Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the Philippines from January 23 to February 2, 2024, to evaluate various aspects related to freedom of opinion and expression in the country.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur’s visit aims to assess the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the Philippines, focusing on the legal and policy framework, as well as the safety of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors. Khan’s assessment will involve meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, members of the House of Representatives, the judiciary, independent institutions, the international community, media representatives, human rights defenders, academicians, and civil society actors.

During her visit, Khan will travel to multiple locations within the Philippines, including Manila, Cebu, Baguio, and Tacloban, to gather a comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground. This visit is expected to provide a holistic view of the challenges and developments in the area of freedom of opinion and expression in the Philippines.

The Special Rapporteur is scheduled to hold a press conference at the end of her visit, on February 2 at 12:00 noon local time at the UN House. This event will be exclusively accessible to journalists.

Following her visit, Khan will compile a report detailing her findings and recommendations, which she will present to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025. This visit marks a significant step in evaluating and potentially enhancing the state of freedom of opinion and expression in the Philippines.