Press Release
December 16, 2016

SEN. LEILA M. DE LIMA'S STATEMENT ON THE REPORTED CANCELLATION OF GOVERNMENT'S INVITATION FOR UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS AGNES CALLAMARD

The Duterte administration should reconsider its decision to impose inflexible conditions, and much less to cancel altogether its invitation for the fact-finding mission team led by UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings Dr. Agnes Callamard to visit the country and look into the spate of killings of suspected drug offenders.

Just like all other UN-led visits, the visit to the Philippines is governed by UN-sanctioned Terms of Reference for Fact-Finding Missions and Human Rights Special Procedures where inquiries into drug-related killings are of monitoring and reporting purposes only, and in not in any way, a criminal, judicial or quasi-judicial in nature.

It is imperative that Dr. Callamard and her delegation be allowed to discharge their duties effectively and unhampered to show to the world that we are still a nation that observes the rule of law, honors the dignity of life, respects the basic human rights, and remains committed to the democratic values of transparency and accountability.

This UN visit has become urgent at this time when the basis of the "war on drugs" is in question, and there are doubts whether its conduct is in keeping with internationally acceptable standards on human rights and drug control policies. If the administration's campaign on drugs is indeed in accordance with our Constitution, laws and international conventions, then there is no need to burden the UN sanctioned fact-finding mission with unreasonably onerous conditions.

The President would often repeat that we should have no fear if we do nothing wrong. The same can be said to him. If indeed his so-called "war on drugs" is pursued within the bounds of the law and international standards, then his administration should have nothing to be afraid of. As they often say, an innocent man has nothing to hide.

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