THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its full support for the filing of Senate Bill (SB) 2548, titled "An Act Protecting the Rights of Refugees and Stateless Persons, Establishing the Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Board, and For Other Purposes," as this can help strengthen the Philippines' compliance to international standards relevant to the said matter.

Also known as the Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Act, SB 2548, filed by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, seeks to recognize, strengthen and promote the rights of the said sector in the country. Such will establish a Protection Board that will be mainly responsible for the determination of status and eligibility to avail of protection as needed alongside prescribing the procedure and criteria for one to be deemed as a refugee or stateless.

The CHR welcomes SB 2548 as this further capacitates the Philippines in its obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of refugees and stateless persons under the 1951 United Nations Convention and the 1954 UN Convention, respectively.

As the Philippines is part of the international community, the CHR positively views SB 2548 as a step closer to ensuring that refugees and stateless persons are guaranteed basic rights such as food, livelihood, education, and community-based care, among others.

Regardless of nationality, every individual deserves equal recognition of their dignity and rights, particularly those who are displaced and facing increased vulnerability. In a similar vein, the Philippines expects foreign countries to safeguard the rights of Filipino migrant workers living within their borders.