CHR says gov’t should ” cooperate closely” coming probe alleged deaths in war vs drugs

July 12, 2019

The Philippines should take the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council ( UNHRC) as an opportunity to  ''cooperate closely with the international community in ensuring full respect and compliance with the globally accepted norms of human rights''. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) issued this statement late Thursday after the council voted 18-14, with 15 abstaining to craft a report on alleged rising number of deaths in the Philippines three-year war on drugs. The report is to be submitted in June 2020. The CHR said the Philippine government ''should also seriously review the current misguided policy of refusing access to the Special Mechanisms on Human Rights and instead consider extending a standing invitation to all special rapporteurs and working groups.'' The commission said the result of the council's vote '' also provides the Philippines an opportunity to further improve the human rights situation by seriously considering all the UNHRC recommendations that will be given pursuant to this resolution and to follow-thru on the most recent Universal Periodic Review. '' DMS