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Saturday. September 30, 2017
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(We yield this space to the joint statement of 39 States on the human rights situation in the Philippines due to its significance, issued during the United Nations Human Rights Council 36th session, Sept. 11-29, 2017. – Ed.)
SINCE the Philippines underwent its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) this year, the human rights situation continues to be of serious concern.
We remain concerned about the thousands of killings and climate of impunity associated with the war on drugs, and note recent stated commitments to observe due process in investigating these crimes.
We urge the government of the Philippines to take all necessary measures to bring these killings to an end and cooperate with the international community to pursue appropriate investigations into these incidents, in keeping with universal principles of democratic accountability and the rule of law.
We share concerns of the High Commissioner regarding intimidations against human rights defenders (HRDs) and call upon the Philippines to ensure their full protection and the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is guaranteed without reprisals.
We urge the government to pursue investigations of alleged human rights violations and abuses and to create a safe and secure environment for indigenous communities, journalists and HRDs.
It is essential that governments are open to discussing human rights concerns based on United Nations recommendations and those of the civil society. We welcome the engagement of the Philippines with the UPR process and encourage them to fully implement the 103 recommendations they have accepted, while expressing regrets that recommendations necessary to address serious human rights violations were not accepted.
We reiterate, that as a member of the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Philippines is expected to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights and to cooperate fully with the Council.
We call upon the Government to work with civil society and the UN to promote and protect human rights, including by welcoming a visit from the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, without preconditions or limitations.
We encourage the Philippines to request technical assistance in this regard, if necessary.
(The 39 States that issued this joint statement are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, Ukraine, and United States.)
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