Following the recommendation of UN special rapporteurs about scrapping the NTF-ELCAC, the Philippine UPR Watch said they are attending the session to testify on continuing human rights violations under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government.

The NTF-ELCAC was established in December 2018 by virtue of Executive Order 70 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We are here to inform the international community that the findings by both special rapporteur on climate change and human rights Ian Fry last November and special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan last February that human rights violations continue are true,” Lia Mai Torres, executive director of Center for Environmental Concerns, was quoted as saying in a news release.

"The Marcos Jr. government wants to paint a rosy picture of so-called improved rhetoric and improved conditions but we are here both as victims and witnesses that anti-people policies have not changed as evidenced by the exit statements by Mr. Fry and Ms. Khan," Torres added.

Aside from Torres, members of the Philippine delegation to the UNHRC are Rev. Glofie Baluntong of the United Methodist Church, IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa, Karapatan legal counsel Ma. Sol Taule, and Altermidya chairperson Raymund Villanueva

They are scheduled to speak at forums in various cities in Switzerland and throughout Europe during the UNHRC session.

They will also meet with various representatives of UN member-states and international civil society organizations interested in the Philippines' human rights situation.

Meanwhile, Africa is expected to participate in the panel discussion on challenges and good practices to realize the right to social security and to provide quality public services.