We have documents to prove EJK claims – Karapatan

Human rights group Karapatan on Monday emphasized that they had sufficient documentary proof to support their allegations on extrajudicial killings in the country.

"Certainly, [Presidential Spokesperson] Harry Roque and the PH government know that the UN is a completely viable mechanism for any organization to engage with," Karapatan said in a statement. "We have the necessary documentation and the families of the victims alongside us that claims of ‘fake political information’ and ‘mere propaganda’ to diminish the work that we do does nothing to deter us. On the contrary, such dismissive and defensive behavior only propel us to continue with our advocacy."

"Quoting Lorena Tecson, wife of peasant leader Alberto Tecson, one of the EJK cases Karapatan submitted to UN SR Agnes Callamard: 'It is lamentable that Malacanang views my husband’s case and others as mere propaganda. The painful truth remains - my husband was murdered by your State forces!'" the statement added.

"While Karapatan engages with all national mechanism to assist in providing redress to victims, it does not, in any way, limit the organization from pursuing and utilizing measures provided for by known international platforms."

In the letter they submitted to the UN, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said that the new alleged EJK cases were perpetrated by security forces as part of the administration's counter-insurgency program.

Roque had earlier called Karapatan's submission to United Nations (UN) special rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and Michael Forst on 25 alleged cases of extra-judicial killings (EJK) as "propaganda."

"It’s useless to go to the UN without filing cases before the fiscal’s office," the president's spokesperson said in a text message.

Meanwhile, Karapatan pointed out that they had been filling complaints with the UN Human Rights Council and engaged with UN independent experts even during previous administrations.

"We pursue these complaints doggedly as we accompany the victims and their kin in the options that they have taken in pursuing justice," Karapatan said.

"It is the recognition that States and its security forces can knowingly and deliberately violate human rights that international bodies specifically mandated to investigate State-perpetrated abuses were formed. With the worsening human rights situation in the country, engagement in these platforms is not unfortunate. Rather, it is necessary, lest we allow the climate of impunity to continue." — DVM, GMA News