SO, THE Philippine government has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Does this absolve it of rights violations? Does this erase the thousands killed in the murderous drug war or the spectrum of violations and scores of victims in indigenous and peasant communities?
The new presidential spokesperson may be over the moon for this supposed “affirmation” of the government’s campaigns and human rights record, but no one is easily convinced.
Let us put things in their proper perspective. The country’s re-election to the UNHRC is due to the removal of any competition, instead of the Palace’s dramatized version of “acknowledgement by the international community” of the Duterte government’s infamous campaigns. Only 18 candidates were pre-selected to be running for 18 seats, which basically made the “election” uncontested.
If any, the government’s spin on its reelection to the UNHRC reflects its stubborn refusal to acknowledge its accountability on the numerous killings as a result of its war on drugs and attacks on human rights defenders and civilians.
Who would have thought the Duterte government needed this much affirmation from the international community after it has repeatedly bashed the UN and its officials for attempts at investigating reports of rights violations in the country?
Perhaps, now is the opportune moment for it to open its doors for investigation by international bodies.
The UNHRC is composed of 47 UN Member-States. It included governments known for its war crimes such as the United States, which has then pulled out of the council since June. The UNHRC should pursue its independent investigation to look into alleged human rights violations in the Philippines, amid numerous reports and complaints that have been submitted to the said body.
The government can spin its membership in the UNHRC all it wants, but the quest for justice must continue.
