UN Human Rights Official Criticizes Duterte
UN Human Rights Official – A United Nations Human Rights chief has called out President Rodrigo Duterte for the “statements of scorn for international human rights law” that according to the UN chief, shows a “striking lack of understanding of our human rights institutions and the principles which keep societies safe.”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, in a report by InterAksyon, criticized Duterte for his alleged disregard for human rights on the president’s war on drugs which resulted in the lives of 3,000 people since July 1.
According to the report, there are more than half of the total number have been said to be from vigilante kil1ings.
On his speech, the UN High Commissioner Al Hussein has reminded Duterte that “fair and impartial rule of law is the foundation of public confidence and security. Empowering police forces to shoot to ki1l any individual whom they claim to suspect of drug crimes, with or without evidence, undermines justice.”
Al Hussein, a Jordanian prince also said that the Filipino people have a “right to judicial institutions that are impartial” and must be operating under due process.
Also, the Al Hussein urged the Philippine Government to invite the UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard regarding the alleged EJKs.
“My office is ready to assist, including with respect to rule of law institutions and the prevention and treatment of drug use in accordance with international norms,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have said.
Callamard was already dared on social media to come and visit the Philippines and investigate after calling on President Duterte to end the alleged EJKs on his administration’s war on drugs.
Duterte has been reportedly threat the UN body that he will make the Philippine withdraw from the UN.
