Human Rights Watch urges UNHRC probe into Duterte drug war

Following the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) of the Philippines, Human Rights Watch on Monday urged the international body to conduct a probe into the drug war at the centerpiece of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

“The Philippines is facing a growing chorus of international concern at the human cost of President Duterte’s murderous ‘war on drugs,’” said John Fisher, Geneva director at Human Rights Watch.

During the UPR, numerous member-states expressed concern about alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines as well as plans to reinstate the death penalty.

The Philippine government panel defended the country's human rights record at the review, saying that most of the killings cited were homicides and not state-sponsored murders.

But Fisher took to task the Philippines' tack.

“The government’s denial and deflection of criticism shows it has no intention of complying with its international obligations,” he said.

“The Human Rights Council should establish an international inquiry and, if killings without accountability continue, reconsider the Philippines’ council membership.” —JST, GMA News