MANILA – The Philippine government should not attack human rights defenders, a United Nations special report said.
It added that the government should instead recognize the work of human rights advocates.
In the report released on Wednesday, UN special rapporteur Michel Forst said some states including the Philippine government “have actively taken steps to frustrate the enjoyment of the human rights.”
“The Special Rapporteur calls on the government to end immediately all forms of violations against human rights defenders, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances,” the report said.
“The Philippine government have actively taken steps to frustrate the enjoyment of the rights outlined in the Declaration” on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,” it added.
The report also stated that President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has created a climate of insecurity and impunity for extrajudicial killings that affect human rights defenders.
The World Report is the first global survey of the situation of human rights defenders, identifying the progress and challenges that need to be addressed in relation to human rights and freedom.
“Duterte has fostered very harmful rhetoric against human rights defenders labeling them ‘anti-nation’, ‘protectors of drug lords’, ‘communists’, ‘terrorists’ and others,” the report said.
“The Special rapporteur urged the government to stop the stigmatization of human rights defenders but instead recognize the legitimacy and importance of their work,” it added. “The government should develop protection for human rights defenders.”
“The government was advised to acknowledge the needs and circumstances of groups of defenders such as defenders of women rights, indigenous people rights, land rights and journalists,” it said.
The report concluded by asking the Duterte administration to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and ensure human rights violations are properly investigated, including those allegedly committed by state actors, to make perpetrators accountable and mitigate the culture of impunity.
The Palace has yet to issue a statement on the UN Special Rappoteur report as of press time./PN
