Cayetano confident Iceland will change views over PHL human rights

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano expressed confidence that Iceland Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson would change his views on the human rights situation in the Philippines once he visits the country.

In a press statement, Cayetano said he met with Thordarson after the latter called on the United Nations to conduct a probe on the alleged human rights violations in the country in connection with the Duterte administration's war against illegal drugs.

“After explaining why the Philippines has to undertake the campaign against illegal drugs, I told Foreign Minister Thórdarson not to take my word for it and that it would be best if he could come and visit so he could see the situation for himself,” Cayetano said.

The two officials met on the sides of the High-Level Segment meeting of the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council shortly after Cayetano warned the 47-member body against efforts to "politicize and even weaponize human rights."

During their talk, Cayetano admitted that he was disappointed over Thordarson's remarks as the Iceland official also urged the Philippine government to allow UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard to visit the country without any precondition and conduct an investigation.

Cayetano underscored that he would have appreciated if Iceland first reached out to hear the country's side before arriving at such a conclusion.

“I am sure your society also has its own challenges but if our situation were reversed, you would feel the same way we feel right now,” Cayetano said.

He also said the Philippines shares Iceland’s recommendations for the conduct of an "independent and impartial" assessment of the human rights situation in the country.

Cayetano, meanwhile, maintained that they would not allow Callamard to conduct a probe due to her "biased and antagonistic stance towards the Philippine government."

President Rodrigo Duterte has laid down rules for a visit from Callamard, but the latter said the conditions did not comply with their Code of Conduct and Terms of Reference for country visits. — BAP, GMA News