Human rights defenders always urge gov’t to improve compliance with law: Roque

December 10, 2020

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said it is the job of human rights defenders to call the attention of the government to improve their level of compliance with the law.

Roque made the statement after former chairperson of Commission on Human Rights and now Akbayan chair Etta Rosales called President Rodrigo Duterte the “main enemy” of human rights in the country.

“I’ve been with Chair Etta for a long time and she said that to all the presidents… The reason is they want to prompt the government to still improve their level of compliance with human rights law,” Roque said.

“That is really the job of human rights defender, to call the attention of the government,” he added

Roque said the moment human rights organizations cease to castigate the government for alleged violations, it is the time when the country has less effective human rights bodies.

On the observance of International Human Rights Day, Roque said they will continue to coordinate with different local and foreign agencies like United Nations bodies to intensify the ability of ''our police officer to address the criminals and at the same time respect the human rights of all.” Ella Dionisio/DMS