UN experts seek probe on Echanis, Alvarez killings

The United Nations Human Rights Office on Friday called for an “independent, thorough and transparent” investigation into the killings of peace consultant Randall Echanis and activist Zara Alvarez.

“We are saddened and appalled by the ongoing violence and threats against human rights defenders in the Philippines, including the killing of two human rights defenders over the past two weeks,” the UN Human Rights Office said.

“Effective measures must be taken to protect other at-risk human rights defenders and to halt and condemn incitement to hatred against them,” it added.

While it welcomed Malacañang’s denouncement of “any form of violence perpetrated against citizens, including activists,” the UN Human Rights Office called on the government to ensure that relevant agencies cooperate fully with investigations by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.

It also stressed the need for those responsible for Echanis and Alvarez’s deaths to be held to account.

Echanis, an agrarian reform advocate and peace consultant, was killed in his home in Quezon City on August 10.

An independent autopsy of Echanis’ remains showed indications that he was made to suffer before being killed, an expert said.

On August 17, meanwhile, the day that Echanis was buried, long-standing human rights defender Alvarez was shot dead in Bacolod City.

Echanis and Alvarez have been repeatedly red-tagged and labelled as communists or terrorists in relation to their work, the UN Human Rights Office said.—LDF, GMA News