Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday brought up the issue of human rights, specifically extrajudicial killings, during his bilateral meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.
The Canadian Prime Minister disclosed this information during a press conference at the International Media Center in the World Trade Center, Pasay City.
Hours before his press briefing, Trudeau said that he had a discussion with Duterte right before the start of the ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit.
“I actually had an opportunity to have a conversation with President Duterte just before our meeting earlier this morning, in which I emphasized, of course, the people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines and the great connections there,” Trudeau was quoted as saying in a Rappler report.
“But I also mentioned human rights, rule of law, specifically extrajudicial killings, as an issue that Canada is concerned with,” Trudeau added.
According to the Prime Minister, it was “no surprise” for his country to express concern on human rights as this issue was something important not only for Canadian but also to the world.
Trudeau stressed that Canada has earned a reputation for being able to be frank and firm in discussing issues like rule of law and human rights with partners around the world, adding that “it’s very much what people expect of Canada.”
Nevertheless, Trudeau admitted that Canada is not perfect either as they are also being criticized for human rights violation concerning their indigenous tribes who suffered from neglect marginalization and mistreatment. Even so, he explained that it is still important to bring up the issue of human rights.
The Canadian leader also said that Duterte was “receptive” to his comments, and that their conversation was “very cordial and positive exchange.”
Aside from this, Trudeau also discussed the garbage issue with the Philippine President saying that Canada is very much engaged in finding a solution on that issue.
Both Duterte and Trudeau were present at the ASEAN-Canada’s 40th Commemorative Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) which was also held in Pasay City.
Duterte chairs world leaders as the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation ASEAN group.