DAVAO City — Human rights advocates and lawyers welcomed the recent statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressing concern on the human rights situation in the Philippines and a need for an independent probe on extrajudicial killings.
The human rights group Karapatan said the UN official’s statement made during the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council is much needed, stressing the urgent need to stop the killings amid the government’s drug war and attacks against human rights defenders.
“We call on the Member States of the UN Human Rights Council to heed the appeal of the UN special rapporteurs and that of the victims of human rights violations and their relatives in the Philippines for an independent investigation into the spiraling human rights situation in the country,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Bachelet made her opening statement at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council Monday, after acknowledging the UN special rapporteurs’ joint statement for an independent probe on the killings.
Bachelet said she has been closely following the human rights situation in the Philippines, and expresses concern on the extraordinarily high number of deaths from extrajudicial killings in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
“There should also be comprehensive and transparent information from the authorities on the circumstances around the deaths, and investigations related to allegations of violations. These could dispel any false allegations and help regain trust for the authorities,” Bachelet said. (davaotoday.com)
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