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UN rights expert welcomes halt on drug killings in the Philippines
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Human rights activists light candles for the victims of extra-judicial killings around the country in the wake of "War on Drugs" campaign by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP/Bullit Marquez)
A
human rights expert from the United Nations welcome the suspension of the Philippines deadly war on drugs, but insisted that an investigation on the unlawful deaths is still needed.
Agnes Callamard, the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, has welcomed the suspension of police anti-drug operations in the country.
But Callamard also said this must be coupled with an investigation of all the unlawful killings, and those responsible must be held accountable.
“A pause in the war on drugs is welcomed. It must include Investigation of all unlawful death, accountability, reparation,” Callamard said on her Twitter account.
Callamard has expressed interest in conducting an inquiry into the drug-related killings in the country, but the plan has hit a snag.
The Philippines’ invitation to her came with conditions from President Rodrigo Duterte, including a public debate with him.
Callamard had asked the government to lift the restrictions, saying they run counter to the terms of reference and code of conduct for rapporteurs.
But Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay earlier said the Philippine government would insist on the conditions.
This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
