The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted last July 11 to pass a resolution seeking a report on the human rights situation in the Philippines. Specifically, it aims to look into the rising number of killings in the Philippines, especially those alleged to be extrajudicial killings under the government’s war against drugs.
Photo Credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
A main function of the resolution is to gain a comprehensive report on the killings, which is to be headed by United Nations rights chief Michelle Bachelet. In line with this, the resolution requests for the Philippines’ cooperation in facilitating country visits and “refraining from all acts of intimidation or retaliation.”
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Moreover, it asks the Philippine government to “take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, to carry out impartial investigations and to hold perpetrators accountable, in accordance with international norms and standards, including on due process and the rule of law.”
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From the 47 member countries of the UNHRC, a majority of 18 countries backed the proposal and pushed the resolution into adoption. These countries are Argentina, Austria, Australia, the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Peru, Mexico, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland, and Uruguay.
The 14 countries who opposed are Bahrain, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Hungary, India, Iraq, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia. While the 15 countries who abstained are Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Congo, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, and Tunisia.
How do you feel about this UNHRC resolution?
Source: Rappler
