CHR calls on PH gov’n to uphold duty on human rights transparency

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Photo: REY BANIQUET/Presidential Photo)

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) made it clear to the Duterte administration its concern over the government’s “consistent questioning of the legitimacy of international human rights mechanisms” when these bodies are only “ensuring the rule of law and human rights in the country.”

Through a statement issued on Wednesday, March 14, the CHR reacted to the “recent discourses” between the Philippine government and international human rights in which the administration said it was open for a probe as long as it not by United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard. Callamard has been a hot topic for President Rodrigo Duterte after she expressed interest in investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings in the President’s campaign to eradicate illegal drugs.

(Read: Roque slams Callamard: She’s not an expert in extrajudicial killings)

(Read: Duterte to UN’s Callamard: If you investigate me, I’ll slap you)

Another development was when UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz was included in the Justice Department’s list of to-be-tagged-terrorists.

(Read: DOJ seeks to tag Joma Sison, UN rapporteur, 648 others as terrorists)

“The UN Human Rights Special Procedures which includes the Special Rapporteurs, are entited to immunities and protection as experts of the UN system. The Philippines has a particular duty to ensure their safety and security,” the CHR wrote.

“Rather than attacking human rights bodies and human rights defenders, we urge the government to display sincere commitment to transparency and the rule of law by allowing unhampered investigations to take place,” it added.

Furthermore, CHR said that the Philippines has been a signatory to treaties in human rights, meaning, these international human rights groups were given the authority to monitor the situation in the country, and recommend certain measures for improvement.

“The Commission, however, notes that expressions of concern on the human rights situation in the country should not be construed as partiality. As in the case of UN Special Rapporteurs, investigations are opportunities to clarify and collaborate in pursuit of better protection and promotion of human rights on the ground,” it stressed.

CHR ended its statement by saying that due process must never be compromised in the investigation and prosecution of the cases, and that if the government makes sure that all human rights are observed, international communities would not need to conduct these probes.