27 May 2017
PRESS STATEMENT

Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to behead human rights advocates

Words matter. Pronouncements, especially those uttered by persons in authority, bear great weight and might be taken as official policy.

The Commission on Human Rights takes exception to the President’s threat to behead human rights advocates critical of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. We are disturbed that such statements may be taken as incitement to violence and create a climate of impunity.

We further refute the portrayal that human rights advocates are incapable of supporting this administration’s projects and programs envisioned to advance the welfare of all, such as the campaign against drugs. In principle, we support its vision of improving the lives of our people, but a number of human rights violations, including deaths, should not be its inevitable consequence.

We ask the President to be circumspect in his utterances.

It is the role of human rights defenders to continuously drive the human rights situation in the Philippines to its greatest fulfilment. Criticisms on any of the government’s projects and programs, especially on the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, is consistent with their roles to keep the human rights situation in check, especially at this time when we, as a nation, need to be more vigilant in protecting human dignity and value of life. ###

Contact Person:
Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office
Telephone No: (02) 928-5792 / 09175919833
Email address: comms.chr@gmail.com