DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The United Nations High Commission on Human Rights has called on the Philippine government to “urgently address growing reports of human rights violations, including murder, threats against indigenous peoples and the summary execution of children.”
The call was stipulated in its statement released on Monday, July 31.
The UN experts who issued the call include Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Mr. Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; and Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children.
In the statement, it reported of the continuing attacks against various groups in the country, the ”severe and multiple” human rights violations against the IPs and human rights defenders.
“Children are not being spared and continue to be at high risk in a climate of prevailing violence, “ the group added, as the experts expressed shock over the increasing levels of violence, killings, intimidation and harassment happening in the country.
“Allegations of summary executions, including of children, are also on the rise. All these cases must be investigated thoroughly and perpetrators should be brought to justice,” the UNHCHR said.
The experts also expressed concern over the televised declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte to bomb
Lumad schools in Mindanao.
“We urge the Government to ensure effective protection of individuals and groups who may be subject to extra-legal, arbitrary or summary executions, or those who received death threats. The Government must also prevent incitement to violence or killings against indigenous communities, human rights defenders, and farmers,” the UN experts said.
The experts, the UNHCHR said, has been in contact with the Government of the Philippines regarding the concerns presented.
Strongly-worded
A Presidential Communications officer described the UNHCHR statement “strongly-worded” but said it will anticipate a more detailed report on the allegations of human rights violations, summary executions and threats against the indigenous peoples.
Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan told reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday that they are also curious on what agencies the UNHCHR coordinated in relation to the report, adding that the High Commissioner’s office has not contacted the PCO.
Ablan said he just read the UNHCHR statement but will reach out with the UN to coordinate with the Office of the President.
He added that the invitation made by the President to the UN, particularly to Ms. Callamard to come to the Philippines continue to stand despite the latest statement released. (davaotoday.com)
