Phl Told To Face UN Probe On Human Rights Head-On

In Sochi, Russia where he spoke at the Valdai Discussion Club last week, President Duterte reiterated his desire for the Philippines to have “unimpeded freedom” in making decisions for itself as a sovereign nation.

Duterte stressed the importance of independence, noting that developing countries like the Philippines face their own challenges and problems that would require different sets of solutions.

The President’s statements came on the heels of the resolution passed by the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in July supporting Iceland’s call to review alleged human rights violations related to the war against illegal drugs under his administration.

The UNHRC directed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to prepare a comprehensive written report on the matter.

During the question and answer session, Duterte admitted that criticisms from foreign governments and human rights groups on his campaign against illegal drugs have prompted him to recalibrate the country’s foreign policy and start partnerships with other countries especially on trade, investment and defense.

He vowed to continue his administration’s fight against illegal drugs.

“Kindly be kind to your fellowmen. Before you condemn, investigate. And allow us — before you come up with these results — allow us the right to be heard. It is a God-given right to any person — whether you live in an autocracy or a tyranny, every person has the right to be heard,” he said.

Duterte also said he was not a killer but ready to assume full responsibility for his anti-drug campaign — even to die or be hanged for it.

Before the President complained anew against the supposed interference in the country’s internal affairs, an official of Amnesty International (AI) branded as childish the Philippines’ reaction, which is to reject new aid from countries that supported the Iceland resolution.

“It’s a very good reflection of how the Philippine government is responding in a somewhat childish manner rather than putting the interests of the Filipino people first,” AI secretary-general Kumi Naidoo told The Philippine STAR in a recent interview.

“Presumably, these aid arrangements were to help such things as education, health, water sanitation and so on, which many people in rural Philippines and urban areas need,” he noted.

Naidoo also called it inappropriate for the Duterte administration to reject aid instead of stopping and looking at the facts presented by organizations alleging human rights violations in the Philippines.

“We would urge the Philippine government not to be defensive right now. If they’ve got nothing to hide, allow the Human Rights Council free access and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to do the investigation,” Naidoo said.

“Present the alternative fact. If the Philippines has got nothing to hide, and if they think they behave appropriately, then invite the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the special rapporteur to come in and do an investigation. If they’ve got nothing to hide then they will be vindicated,” he added. 

The resolution was approved by a slim margin, with only 18 of the 47 members of the body supporting the proposal forwarded by Iceland and 27 other European countries.

Those who voted in favor were Australia, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

Fourteen countries, including the Philippines, voted against it, while the remaining 15 members of the human rights body abstained.

Protesting the resolution, Duterte directed all concerned government agencies to suspend negotiations for and the signing of all new loan and grant agreements with countries that co-sponsored and voted for the resolution.

At least two loans, from Germany and France, have been suspended in line with Duterte’s directives, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III was reported as saying.

While they were not among those that voted in favor of the resolution as they are not members of the UNHRC, France and Germany were among those that co-sponsored the document with Iceland and other European nations.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. previously said that the government would not allow any investigation into the alleged human rights violations committed by the Duterte administration.

In his speech before the UN General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 29, Locsin emphasized that the UN should not interfere with any state in its functions to protect its citizens and eliminate threats.

He said the UN should not be used as a platform to threaten members that take a tough approach on crime.

On Friday, Locsin told The STAR via Twitter that “it is petulant of Amnesty International” to call the Philippine response childish. “A bit jejune as well.” 

Sensitive approach

According to Naidoo, the move of the Duterte administration would not stop foreign governments and other international organizations from calling for investigations on human rights violations, noting that the Philippine government is merely telling them to spend their money somewhere else.

But the AI executive also stressed the need for human rights organizations and governments expressing solidarity with the people of the Philippines to be sensitive in their approach as the Duterte administration may use their criticisms to further rally support from the public.

“There has to be sensitivity about the problem that you raise because sometimes just speaking out might make a government feel good about themselves (and) might actually do more harm,” Naidoo pointed out.

“Be sensitive, and always ensure that any expressions of international solidarity are not self-serving but are intended to fundamentally help the situation in the Philippines in this case,” he added.

Naidoo maintained that their reports on the situation in the Philippines, including the higher number of victims as opposed to the government figures, are based on evidence gathered by their Filipino counterparts.

To snub or not to snub

On Sept. 30, Locsin said in a tweet that he had prohibited representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) from attending the national day celebrations of countries that favored the Iceland resolution.

Despite this, Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo represented the DFA at the 29th anniversary of German Unity held at the New World Makati Hotel on Thursday.

Manalo and German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel offered the traditional diplomatic toast at the celebration of German Unity Day.

Locsin joined Duterte in his second official visit to Russia. The President arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to kick off his visit in the country upon the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Last July, no DFA representative showed up at the traditional diplomatic toast for the French National Day at the official residence of the French ambassador in Forbes Park, Makati. — With Christina Mendez and Pia Lee-Brago