UN special rapporteur calls on PHL to end attacks vs. human rights defenders

The United Nations special rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders called on the Philippine government to end its attacks against 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,” read the report.

In the latest World Report, UN special rapporteur Michel Forst said 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 Recognised 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,” read the report.

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

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

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

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

Also, the government was advised to acknowledge the needs and circumstances of groups of defenders such as defenders of women rights, indigenous people rights, land rights and journalists.

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

He also said that the 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,” read the report. —KG, GMA News