PH calls for prudence
amid allegations on human rights
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Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar delivered the
Philippine dignitary statement at the 43rd Human Rights Council Session-High
Level Segment, on February 26, 2020, at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva,
Switzerland.
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GENEVA,
Switzerland, Feb. 27 -- The Philippines urged the United Nations Human Rights
Council to reassess baseless claims made against the government on the alleged
impunity and human rights violations, and exercise due diligence in dealing
with terrorist groups masquerading as human rights defenders.
Presidential
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar delivered the Philippine dignitary statement
at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council on
Wednesday, February 26, highlighting the Duterte administration’s policy on
media freedom and human rights.
“We
repeat the call for prudence in assessing claims particularly from sources who
have enjoyed the hallowed status of human rights defenders while waging the
longest insurgency in Asia and terrorizing communities in the Philippines,”
said Secretary Andanar, who is the first Philippine Communications Secretary to
speak before the Human Rights Council.
Secretary
Andanar stated that discussions on the human rights situation of the country
have been influenced by the same organizations that have been labeled as
terrorists by the EU, US, UK and Canada and that these groups claim legitimate
anti-insurgency actions as red-tagging, curtailment of civic space, and
weaponization of bureaucracy against their armed struggle.
“That
actors who profess terrorism are able to exploit the mantle protecting human
rights defenders is a failure of due diligence on the part of the UN system.
This can be rectified,” he added.
Secretary
Andanar said that while the Human Rights Council remains vital in promoting
human rights across the globe, it had to be free of politicization to preserve
its credibility and integrity.
“The
Philippines speaks from experience as a victim of arbitrary action by the
Council.
We
regret that discussions on the human rights situation in the country have been
swayed by baseless allegations, and that the Council has failed to exhaust
mechanisms for constructive, reasonable, and fact-based discourse,” Secretary
Andanar said.
Secretary
Andanar noted, for instance, the unsubstantiated claims from civil society and
non-government organizations that the Duterte administration has committed
30,000 extra-judicial killings related to the anti-illegal drug campaign, and
said that the Council cannot base its actions on unfounded claims but to look
instead to the tangible accomplishments of and the strong public support for
the government
The
Communications chief also highlighted the Duterte administration’s policy to
expand and strengthen the space for a free and empowered media, evident in two
of the first orders the President issued when he assumed office in June 2016.
He
cited the creation of the landmark issuance of the Freedom of Information (FOI)
program— now being pushed in Congress by the PCOO to have it widened and
institutionalized— which discloses all government records of public interest;
the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS),
which is mandated to protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers,
considered to be the first of its kind in Asia; and the government’s push for
the Media Workers’ Welfare Act, in order to improve the working conditions of
media practitioners in the country.
Secretary
Andanar also noted the verdict of a local Philippine court in December 2019, in
favor of 32 media workers slain in the Ampatuan massacre, leading to the
conviction of 43 individuals including police officers, local officials, and
members of the Ampatuan political clan.
“The
Philippines has always valued press freedom. We are deeply conscious that
having a plurality of voices, including critical ones, is essential in the
healthy functioning of our cherished democracy. Its relationship with other
human rights is deep, intricate, and abiding,” Secretary Andanar said.
The
Presidential Communications Secretary further said that being a former media
practitioner he can reject criticisms that cases involving media
personalities and outlets are attacks on press freedom and that said
criticisms are false and self-serving because the cases
involve criminal and constitutional violations.
“Thus,
allegations of restrictions of media space in the Philippines do not find
anchor in such a landscape that is driven by a vision to address impunity,
preserve press freedom, and promote the welfare of media workers,” Secretary
Andanar said.
Moreover,
the PCOO Secretary lauded the tens of thousands of Filipino civic leaders and
organizations whose works embody lawful, free, and empowered social activism,
affirming the government's recognition of their indispensable role in
nation-building.
“In
conclusion, the accomplishments of the Philippine government under President
Duterte stand solidly on an agenda of social inclusion, just and sustained
peace, good governance, as well as a strong tradition of human rights and
social justice, under a democratic system of government. Protecting freedom of
the press and other fundamental freedoms will remain at the heart of this
agenda,” Secretary Andanar said as he ended his speech. (PCOO)
