A delegation of human rights defenders, advocates and progressive groups, under the Philippine UPR Watch, will attend the UN Human Rights Council’s 59th session in Geneva on June 16 to July 9.
The group will bring attention to the UN and the international community regarding the human rights situation in the Philippines, particularly their opposition to Rodrigo Duterte’s plea for interim release and expose the continuing rights violations under the Marcos Jr. administration.
“The world must know that we are opposing Duterte’s interim release, and that we continue to remain vigilant and critical of the current Marcos administration’s crimes,” said Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay.
On June 12, Duterte sought for his interim release from detention and be transferred to an undisclosed country. One that is also a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte has since been in ICC custody in March 12 following an arrest warrant for his crimes against humanity for murder.
Duterte is known for waging his bloody war on drugs campaign. He even admitted full responsibility for such campaign and established the ‘Death Squad” while he was still the mayor of Davao City.
More than 30,000 victims of the drug war have been documented by human rights groups and activists, but the Philippine government had only acknowledged at least 6,600 killings. Karapatan added that there are more than 466 victims of extrajudicial killings, 1,161 illegally arrested and detained, 427 tortured, 496,512 involuntary displacement, 84 enforced disappearance under Duterte’s watch.
Palabay further warned that Duterte’s release would be very dangerous for the families of victims, further escalating the political tension in the Philippines.
Since Duterte’s arrest, families of victims and their lawyers have been harassed and threatened online by Duterte’s trolls and supporters.
Meanwhile, Duterte-allied lawmakers in the Senate also remanded to the Lower House the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“It is clear that the Dutertes have been unleashing their influence to frustrate all attempts of victims and their families to seek justice and accountability,” said National Council of Churches of the Philippines deputy secretary general Mervin Toquero.
Along with the Philippine UPR Watch, the #FightToExpress network representatives will also witness the presentation of reports by Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz, and by Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion, Irene Khan.
On June 18, Mr. Tidball-Binz will present his report on the rights of families of victims of unlawful killings. Ms. Khan will also present her final report on the Philippines.
Khan visited the Philippines in early 2024 on an official mission and visited Tacloban journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio who is still languishing behind bars.
Philippine UPR Watch will also be updating permanent missions on the mid-term status of the recommendations they made and were accepted by the Philippine government during the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the country’s human rights record in 2022.
The delegates from UPR Watch and #FighttoExpress network are as follows:
• Josalee Deinla, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers secretary general
• Sonny Africa, IBON Foundation executive director
• Jonila Castro, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment spokesperson
• Charm Maranan, Defend Southern Tagalog spokesperson
• Bishop Joseph Agpaoa, United Church of Christ in the Philippines acting general secretary
• Ronalyn Olea, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines secretary general
• Macel Ingles, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines vice chairperson
