NEW YORK City — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) called for an end to racism and hate crimes against Asians through a “fair” international system.
In his world debut at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Marcos said this system should work for the “most vulnerable” sectors in society such as the marginalized, migrants and refugees.
“Our work must also focus on ensuring that the international system remains fair not only for all states, but more importantly for all peoples. This system must work for the most vulnerable, especially the marginalized, migrants and refugees,” he said in his statement at the UN high-level debate.
“The world has witnessed the enduring contribution of migrants in the fight against this pandemic. We still dream of an end to the disturbing incidents of racism, of Asian hate, of all prejudice,” the President added.
Marcos cited the Philippines’ United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights is an example of a “constructive approach that puts our people, not our politics, at the center of this work.”
“It provides a model for revitalizing the structures that facilitates solidarity between the United Nations and a sovereign duty-bearer,” he said.
The joint program seeks to affirm the country’s commitment to human rights, the importance of free democratic space for civil society, and the principle of international cooperation.
The country is one of the original 51 charter members that created the United Nations in 1945.
Incidents of hate crimes against Asians increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of August this year, there have been 43 reported crimes against Filipinos in New York.
Marcos made his world debut at the UN General Assembly. He was the first Southeast Asian leader to take the podium and deliver his statement during the general debate.
Marcos was also the second speaker in the afternoon session of the General Assembly.
This marks his first UN engagement after he took his oath of office as the Philippines’ chief executive.
In subsequent days, he is expected to meet with some world leaders and American businessmen. (Daphne Galvez © Philippine Daily Inquirer 2022)
