Philippines wins seat in UN Human Rights Council

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Oct 13 2018 01:16 AM | Updated as of Oct 13 2018 06:22 AM

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The Philippine Delegation to the United Nations led by Permanent Representative Teodoro T. Locsin Jr. with Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the UN General Assembly, after the Philippines won its bid for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council during elections in New York on Friday. Handout

MANILA (UPDATED) The Philippines on Friday won a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council despite strong opposition from an international human rights group, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The Philippines garnered 165 votes of 192 votes cast by member-states, the DFA said in a statement.

With the victory, the Philippines will get to serve another three-year term in the 47-member Council based in Geneva from 2019 to 2021.

“Our election to another term in the Human Rights Council would not have been possible without the support of other UN Member-States who clearly understood where we are coming from,” DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said, after he was informed of the election results by Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Teddy Locsin, Jr.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch earlier said the Philippines, along with Eritrea, should not be given seats at the council because of its "egregious human rights records."

“Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s abusive ‘war on drugs’ has been a killing frenzy that has left thousands dead. In Eritrea, the authorities persecute and jail government critics and force citizens into indefinite national service," the group said in a statement.

At least 4,854 drug suspects have been killed in police anti-drug operations, but human rights groups and government critics said the figure is understated.

• Drug war death toll breaches 4,000 mark: PNP

The Philippine government has several times denied involvement in summary killings, saying drug suspects slain in police anti-drug operations had put up violent resistance.

Malacañang, meanwhile, has defended the Duterte administration’s human rights track record.

• Group says PH should be kept off UN council; Palace defends rights record

“Our successful bid to keep our seat in the Council is proof that many in the international community remain convinced the Philippines respects and protects human rights and have seen through the efforts of some to politicize and weaponize the issue,” Cayetano said in a statement. 

He described it as "a vindication of President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs".

Aside from the Philippines, the other Member-States elected by the General Assembly were Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Fiji, India, Italy, Somalia, Togo, and Uruguay.

The Philippines is serving a fresh three-year term in the Council after its election in 2015. It is serving as Vice President representing the Asia-Pacific Group, according to the DFA. The Philippines first served in the Council from 2007 to 2009 and then from 2012 to 2014.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Teddy Locsin, Jr. and Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the UN General Assembly. DFA handout​

Hours before the vote, Cayetano lashed out at HRW and other non-government organizations.

He accused human rights groups of criticizing the human rights record of the Philippines "in order to solicit more funds from donors", according to the DFA statement.

“Why moral bankruptcy? Katulad ngayon, budget season sa Europe. Kaya sila maingay, kasi gusto lang kumuha ng additional budget,” he said. “If you want to talk human rights, we’re here. Upuan natin. But [if] you just want to criticize us from afar and don’t want to give solutions, and just keep saying kayo tama kami mali, it’s helping no one except you and your finances." 

Cayetano, who is leaving the DFA to run as congressman of Taguig in the 2019 elections, also took a swipe at Iceland, which has criticized the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs.

“Even yung pinakamaingay sa atin na Iceland. Alam mo ang number one problema ng Iceland sa human rights? It’s domestic violence,” Cayetano claimed. “Ang ingay-ingay nila sa atin. Samantalang ang sa kanila the kind of violence is at home, which is the worst kind of violence kasi your home is supposed to be your castle.” 

Locsin is set to replace Cayetano as DFA secretary.

• 'I said yes': Teddy Boy Locsin, Jr. is next DFA secretary

The Philippines' seat was virtually assured in Asia Pacific regional group, because there were only five countries vying for the five seats

Cayetano: Duterte's War on Drugs a War to Protect Human Rights

Office of the Senator

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 602 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

01 September 2016

Cayetano: Duterte’s war on drugs a war to protect human rights, ensure safety & welfare of Filipinos

“Our war against illegal drugs is not a war against life, but a war to fight for the lives of all Filipinos. It is not a war against human rights, but a war to protect human rights, and to ensure the safety and welfare of the Filipino family."

 Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stressed this in his privilege speech on Wednesday (August 31) amid false reports in foreign press about human rights issues in the conduct of the administration’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

Contrary to claims of the Commission on Human Rights,  Cayetano said the government’s strong policies against criminality have made it possible for Filipino families to begin feeling safer, particularly since the government waged an all-out war on drugs.

The senator reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte has not wavered in his commitment to uphold and protect the human rights of every Filipino at any time, contrary to what the President’s critics are trying to portray. 

He added the government’s unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs has actually improved the country’s peace and order situation.

“Narinig po natin sa sariling bibig ng ating Pangulo na ang human rights ay importante sa ating bansa. Pero hindi pwedeng gamitin ang human rights para hindi ituloy ang drug war,” Cayetano said. “If you listen to the President’s speeches… palagi niyang sinasabi that he will operate within the confines of the Philippine Constitution. He will respect the Bill of Rights and the rule of law,” he intoned. 

The senator pointed out that the drug menace has reached alarming levels that nothing short of bold and swift solutions are needed to end the problem.

He said criminality was already rampant under previous administrations at the rate of almost 1,000-2,000 incidents of murders and homicides every month. The only difference, he said, is that in the past, innocent citizens were  hounded and victimized by hardened criminals and drug pushers. But today, it’s the law that’s hounding the drug pushers and criminals, he noted.

“Don’t you feel safer today than six years ago? Wala pong sense of security ang Pilipino dati… Dati, ang takot ay ang tao… Ngayon, nararamdaman ng mga tao ang pagbabago... Ngayon ang kriminal na ang takot, hindi ang mamamayan.” he said.

Cayetano also denounced Duterte’s detractors’ penchant to blame the administration for all the drug-related killings in the country. He said the slack use of  “extrajudicial killings”  (EJKs) to label all suspected drug casualties puts in question the motive behind the investigation being conducted by Sen. Leila De Lima’s Committee on Justice.

“Are some people using the term EJK loosely not because they are human rights advocates… [but] to discredit the PNP and the Duterte administration?” Cayetano asked as he reiterated his call for De Lima to inhibit herself from the inquiry.

Cayetano said labeling the deaths of drug suspects as EJKs is obviously meant to create the wrong perception that the State is initiating the executions and is doing nothing to resolve the crimes. 

“The State, the executive department, legislative department, and the judiciary, are doing its best to ensure that the rule of law prevails. Even the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is part of the state and is already investigating,” the senator pointed out.

Cayetano, meanwhile, said he remains confident of President Duterte’s continuous efforts  to uphold human rights while also ensuring the safety and protection of all families.

Human Rights Day in The Philippines

The observance of the Human Rights Day on December 10, 2011 centers on calling a stop to impunity in the Philippines. The government will join the global celebration of the International Human Rights Day that anchors on the theme: "End Impunity! Make Human Rights our Way of Life!"

Commission on Human Rights Regional Director Attorney Alberto Sipaco, Jr. explained on the meaning of the theme as to put "an end to crimes" and making the law enforcement "stronger with much political will".

Sipaco defined impunity as to "the state where people can just commit crimes without being apprehended." He said also: "If there's impunity, we might develop the culture of violence, and people might accept this state. If this happens, what kind of future can we give to the generations to come?" he told the Philippine Information Agency.

Very well said, Sir!