Heightened attention on the Philippines at the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council [FORUM – ASIA Public Statement]

“The situation in the country has gotten worse,” said John Samuel, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA. “We hope that states are able to make strong recommendations to the Philippines during its Universal Periodic Review on 08 May and that concerted action can be taken by the UN Human Rights Council during its June session.

(Bangkok/Geneva, 28 March 2017) – The human rights situation in the Philippines drew significant amount of attention at the 34th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council which concluded on Friday. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as several states expressed concerns on extra judicial killings, moves to reinstate the death penalty, proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility and ongoing threats to human rights defenders. It was mentioned at several different debates during the course of the four-week session. Altogether the European Union, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Ireland, Montenegro, UK and U.S.A and several NGOs expressed concern on the Philippines.[1]

In his annual report on 08 March, the High Commissioner expressed concern in relation to the conduct of the anti-drug campaign, persecution of human rights defenders, and plans to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility. “Statements by the President have appeared to encourage the extra judicial killings of people suspected of involvement in the drug trade – including his own admission that he personally engaged in killing suspected criminals while Mayor of Davao,” he said. “This dangerous path may lead to deepening violence, and I call for a prompt, independent and credible investigation into all killings.”

FORUM-ASIA called for the Philippine government to cooperate with the UN and international experts and launch a credible and independent investigation into extrajudicial killings.[2]

One year ago, the Philippines, an elected member of the UN Human Rights Council, was not a regular subject of the Council’s debates. However, there has been increasing attention on the Philippines since the June and September 2016 sessions following serious allegations of killings as a result of the government’s ‘war on drugs’. “It’s clear from this last session of the Council that in the last one year, the Philippines has gradually moved into the limelight and become a country of serious concern in the eyes of the international community,” said Rosanna Ocampo, Programme Officer at FORUM-ASIA.

“The situation in the country has gotten worse,” said John Samuel, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA. “We hope that states are able to make strong recommendations to the Philippines during its Universal Periodic Review on 08 May and that concerted action can be taken by the UN Human Rights Council during its June session. These would support the work of human rights defenders on the ground, as well as remind the Philippines of not only its obligations under international law but also of the commitments it made as a member of the UN Human Rights Council.”

***

For the PDF version of this statement, click here.

Source : www.forum-asia.org

***

[1]https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/uk-statement-at-the-ministerial-segment-of-the-34th-session-of-the-human-rights-council-in-geneva
[1]https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/human-rights-council-34-uk-statement-in-response-to-the-report-by-the-high-comissioner-for-human-rights
[1]http://www.mzv.cz/mission.geneva/en/human_rights/human_rights_council/hrc34_czech_republic_pointed_at_cases_of.html
[1]http://www.franceonugeneve.org/Conseil-des-droits-de-l-Homme-debat-general
[1]http://www.iceland.is/iceland-abroad/efta/news/statement-of-iceland-at-the-34th-session-of-the-human-rights-council/13468/
[1]https://geneva.usmission.gov/2017/03/23/item-2-general-debate-with-the-high-commissioner/
[1]http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/human-rights-council/watch/item4-general-debate-36th-meeting-34th-regular-session-human-rights-council-/5359444046001# (EU and Canada statements)
[1]http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/human-rights-council/watch/item4-general-debate-contd-37th-meeting-34th-regular-session-human-rights-council-/5359444064001 (Ireland statement)
[1]https://www.forum-asia.org/wp/../uploads/wp/2017/03/Item-2-Australia.pdf (Australia statement)

[2]https://www.forum-asia.org/?p=23370