The Philippines should involve the International Criminal Court in crimes against human rights.
The Philippines was asked by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee to help in any investigation that the International Criminal Court may do on alleged crimes against humanity committed during the previous administration's "war on drugs."
In its 13-page advanced unedited report, the UN body composed of human rights experts said that the Philippines should strengthen its cooperation with the international human rights mechanisms as well as the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Philippine Star reported.
The panel pointed out that despite the ICC investigation being suspended since last year at Manila's request, the Philippines continues to refuse to engage with international human rights groups.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has pushed for the resumption of the probe as he argued that the Philippine government has failed to demonstrate that it has sufficiently investigated killings in police operations.
In line with this, the Philippines asked the ICC’s pre-trial chamber to reject Khan’s request as it argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the alleged crimes committed were not grave enough to warrant its attention. Khan maintained that none of those arguments has merit.
Manila's officials have further stressed that local agencies are already looking into the accusations made to the ICC, claiming that this shows that the country is neither unwilling nor unable to carry out these domestic proceedings.
However, the UN human rights panel voiced concerns about claims that authorities continued to obstruct fast, effective, and independent investigations into extrajudicial killings and the prosecution of those involved.
It also expressed concern over reports of “incitement to violence against and extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders by high-level officials, including the former president,” Rodrigo Duterte.
The Philippines should redouble its efforts to promptly, independently, and thoroughly investigate all allegations of extrajudicial killings, and bring perpetrators, including law enforcement officials, to justice are some recommendations made by the UN Committee.
Additionally, it advised high-level Philippine officials to refrain from inciting violence and extrajudicial killings.
Tags: #ICC, #HumanRights, #UNCommittee