UNHRC urges Philippines to replace ‘punitive approach’ vs. drugs

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has urged the Philippine government to replace the "exclusively punitive approach" in eradicating illegal drugs, noting that the measure should be in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

This as the Committee expressed concern over reports of "grave human rights violations and the extremely high number of extrajudicial killings, particularly in the context of the government's campaigns against illegal drugs."

"Noting the overcrowding in prisons caused by the anti-drug campaign's arrests, the Committee recommends that the Philippines immediately reduce prison and police detention by expanding non-custodial measures and should intensify its efforts to improve detention conditions for all detainees," the UNHRC said.

"It should also ensure that women in detention, especially pregnant or parenting women, have access to medical care and other services that meet their needs," the UNHRC added.

Further, the Committee is also concerned about the long pretrial detention of former senator Leila de Lima since 2017 and "politically motivated charges of rebellion and sedition against opposition members."

"It urges the Philippines to refrain from using criminal laws to harass, intimidate, and exclude opposition members from public life and electoral processes," the UNHRC said.

De Lima has been detained since February 2017 for allegedly abetting the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as justice secretary from 2010 to 2015. She has since denied the allegations.

One of her three cases was dismissed by a Muntinlupa court but two charges are still pending.

Reforms

Regarding the issue, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Teresita Diaz said the Marcos administration has made very clear pronouncements about the seriousness of his government in terms of human rights obligations.

She stressed that there have reforms being done by the Philippine government to address the country's narcotics problem.

"It has taken a very open and constructive approach to the issue of human rights, and as a manifestation of this constructive approach, no less than the Secretary of Justice has actually participated in a series of dialogues with the Human Rights Council where he actually mentioned the reforms that are being undertaken by the government, as well as updates on cases of interest," Daza said at a separate press briefing.

"This is to stress that contrary to what has been mentioned about the culture of impunity, I think there has been a shift in terms of how the issue of illegal drug is actually being addressed," she added.

Maximum tolerance

Meanwhile, in an interview with reporters, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri brushed the UNHRC's  latest remark aside.

"Ano ba yun? Ang tagal-tagal... Lumang tugtugin na yun," Zubiri said.

He added that there were no discussions about human rights during Philippine senators' recent visit to France.

Furthermore, during their visit to the European Union, they spoke of the new administration's policy of maximum tolerance when it came to human rights.

"It’s unfair for the UN to tag us," said Zubiri, arguing that some states had adopted "extreme immigration measures" by detaining illegal immigrants.

These states, however, were not being called out by the UNHRC.

"Let's not be hypocritical here... From the United States to Europe, they have also their share of problems of illegal detention of immigrants. But no one is pointing fingers at them for their human rights (violations). I don’t think that’s right," Zubiri said.

In his speech during the UNHRC's 51st session last month, Justice Secretary Jose Crispin Remulla said the reforms are being done to "ensure the rule of law and the promotion and protection of the human rights of all its citizens."

Remulla has said Marcos wants "criminal masterminds" to be apprehended, as he gave emphasis on rehabilitation, prevention, education and assistance to victims and their families. — RSJ/DVM, GMA Integrated News