CHR: Gov't should address UN findings on police planting evidence, drug war killings

The Duterte administration should take steps to prevent instances of the police apparently planting evidence on drug war suspects and killings of drug suspects without warrant, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Friday.

The CHR was referring to the report done by the UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights led by Michelle Bachelet.

“The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) welcomes the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. As the country’s national human rights institution, we call on the government to acknowledge and address its observations with definitive steps necessary to establish transparency and accountability, especially for the number of human rights violations noted,” the CHR said.

“The Commission has consistently reminded the government to address these grave concerns over the pace and scale of deaths linked to the campaign against illegal drugs. It is the duty of the Philippine government to show adherence to human rights principles and standards and act on the findings of the High Commission—fully noting that the said report has considerably relied on government reports and data, alongside the views of civil society and CHR,” the CHR added.

The CHR then noted that while the climate of impunity is not the sole creation of the current administration, present attitudes and behaviors toward human rights have allowed it to acutely manifest today.

“The government has a continuing obligation to pursue social justice, uphold human dignity and rights, and put an end to impunity for all human rights violations. We ask the government to respect the CHR’s constitutional mandates on human rights promotion and protection as well as urge cooperation in independent investigations, and protection of human rights defenders so we can collectively work for the human rights cause,” the CHR said.

“As we await the response of government and the reception of the members of the Human Rights Council, we ask government to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders on the ground and enable them to express their opinions as they advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights of all persons, especially the disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable,” the CHR added. -NB, GMA News