Palace says they cannot fully implement United Nations (UN) recommendations intended to improve the government’s human rights record, as it rejected conclusions of a UN report.
In a statement issued last June 6, Saturday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque wrote in response to the said UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR) report.
“The Philippine Government notes the recommendations made by the OHCHR, but cannot commit to their full implementation given the faulty conclusions on which they were premised,” said Roque.
The UN report concluded that there were “serious human rights violations” under the current administration reinforced by “pervasive and deeply damaging” rhetoric by high-level officials.
Little to no accountability for the deaths of thousands in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs were also observed. Moreover, the report noted threats made against progressive groups, individuals, and journalists, in the name of national security.
The report’s recommendations include “independent, impartial, credible investigations” into human rights violations and the creation of a legitimate system for publishing data on reports of extrajudicial killings.
The Duterte government, however, “firmly rejects” these findings and recommendations, according to Roque’s statement.
“We maintain that the rule of law is upheld in the Philippines and any offenses committed by law-enforcement or otherwise will be dealt with in accordance with due process,” he said.
