Alleged extrajudicial killings in the country continue to haunt President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration after 32 countries expressed “deep concerns” over the bloody drug war as they called on the Philippines to accept a visit from UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard.
“We wish to express our deep concerns over the high number of killings associated with the so-called ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines,” said Högni S. Kristjánsson, Permanent Representative of Iceland, on behalf of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
The countries said they are “alarmed that over 7,000 people have reportedly been killed since the anti-drug campaign was launched last July, many in circumstances, which remain unexplained.”
They likewise denounced the lack of investigation or accountability for the killings, which they said is “contrary to basic democratic safeguards and the rule of law.”
“While understanding the negative implications of drug addiction and its consequences in the Philippines, any efforts to respond to the challenge of illicit drugs must be carried out in full compliance with due process and international human rights law,” they said.
“We call upon the Philippines to take all necessary measures to bring these killings to an end and to ensure prompt, independent and credible investigations into all violent deaths.”
During the UN Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, 45 out of 47 countries questioned the spate of extrajudicial killings despite government denial.
The 32 nations condemned Duterte for saying that he would take responsibility for any crimes his soldiers commit while martial law remains in force in Mindanao, even if they “raped three women”.
“We further stress that sexual violence can never be tolerated and call on the Government to strongly condemn the use of sexual violence in conflict,” the 32 countries said.
They called on the country to lift its conditions imposed at Callamard to investigate in the country.
“In this regard, we urge the Philippines to accept a visit from the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, without preconditions or limitations.”
“We further urge and look forward to a positive response by the Philippines regarding recommendations received during its recent UPR (Universal Periodic Review), in particular those relating to rule of law and the issue of unexplained violent deaths.”
Earlier, UN Human Rights Council had urged the United Nations to make an action on smear campaign against Callamard, who has been subject of a number of “disgraceful incidents of personal threats and insults” along with two other rapporteurs.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano however, questioned the facts, impartiality and fairness of Callamard, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
“This is absolutely unacceptable. As Special Procedures are appointed by this Council, I call on you to consider what actions you may want to take to prevent these sorts of campaigns,” United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said.