spot_img
29 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

UN rapporteur seeks end to PH rights violations

- Advertisement -

The United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders has called on the Philippine government to end its attacks on human rights defenders and to recognize their work instead.

“The Special Rapporteur calls on the government to end immediately all forms of violations against human rights defenders, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances,” the official says.

In his latest World Report, UN special rapporteur Michel Forst says some states, including the Philippine government, “have actively taken steps to frustrate the enjoyment of the rights outlined in the Declaration” on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

“The government’s War on Drugs has created a climate of insecurity and impunity for extrajudicial killings that affect human rights defenders,” the report says.

The World Report is the first global survey on the situation of human rights defenders, identifying the progress and challenges that need to be addressed in relation to human rights and freedom.

- Advertisement -

“Duterte has fostered very harmful rhetoric against human rights defenders, labeling them ‘anti-nation,’ ‘protectors of drug lords,’ ‘communists,’ ‘terrorists’ and others,” the report says.

Forst urges the government to stop the stigmatization of human rights defenders, and instead recognize the legitimacy and importance of their work.

The report says the government should develop protection for human rights defenders.

It also advised the government to acknowledge the needs and circumstances of the groups of defenders, such as defenders of women’s rights, indigenous people’s rights, land rights and journalists.

Forst called on the government to review and desist from employing counter-insurgency measures, which, he says, result in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and human rights violations.

He also says law enforcement officials should be trained and equipped to respect and protect human rights.

“The government must reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and ensure human rights violations are properly investigated, including those allegedly committed by state actors, to make perpetrators accountable and mitigate the culture of immunity,” the report says.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles