China defends Duterte from criticism of  UN Rights Commission 

March 13, 2018

China backed Pesident Rodrigo Duterte from criticisms by the United Nations human rights chief, saying the international community should respect Philippine sovereignty and view the  fight against drugs and terrorism in a “biased and objective way.”

“Anyone without bias can see that President Duterte has made positive efforts since assuming office to combat drug-related crimes as well as terrorism, develop the national economy, and improve people's livelihood, which have effectively protected and promoted the Philippine people's fundamental rights to security and development,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a news conference in Beijing on Monday.

An excerpt of the press conference was sent to media outlets on Tuesday by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

UN Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein earlier called on Duterte to submit himself to a “psychiatric evaluation” for his repeated attacks against the world body's special rapporteurs.

Last week, the Department of Justice filed a petition seeking to declare as “terrorists” more than 600 alleged communist rebels, including Filipino UN special rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

Tauli Corpuz, who denied accusations linking her to terrorists, was appointed as special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples in 2014.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano decried Zein’s remarks, calling it “irresponsible and disrespectful.”

Backing the Philippine leader, China said: “Relevant sides of the international community, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, shall respect the sovereignty of the Philippines and the will of its people, view the outcomes of the Philippines' fight against drug and terrorism in a comprehensive, unbiased and objective way.”

Relations between Manila and Beijing have improved under Duterte, who has sought Chinese trade and economic aid while shelving long-running territorial disputes in the South China Sea, including a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal case won by the country.

The case won by the Philippines in 2016 invalidated China’s  claim in the waters, including areas that are within the West Philippine Sea. China refused to honor the decision.

Lu Kang said international agencies should instead “support” the Philippine government’s “efforts to move forward its human rights cause in light of its national conditions.”

“As an agency of the UN, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is expected to fulfill its duties within the framework set out by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Lu Kang said.

“The achievements made by the Philippine government led by President Duterte on these fronts have won great approval and extensive support among the Philippine people,” he added.  DMS