The Philippines has secured another term on the UN’s Human Rights Council, alongside countries including Bahrain, Eritrea and Somalia. The country’s second three-year term of membership of the 47-member council was supported by 165 votes cast by 192 UN member states in New York. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed the vote today (Saturday, October… Full Story »
human rights philippines
Israeli human rights activists urge Netanyahu to cancel Duterte visit
Human rights activists are urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel President Duterte’s invitation to visit the country next month. Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that a human rights group also wrote a letter to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, telling him that “there is no place for a mass murderer and a person who… Full Story »
Philippines warned of diplomatic price if human rights not probed
A human rights expert says Philippines must allow probe on drug war or risk losing its seat on the UN’s Human Rights Council. John Fisher, Geneva director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), said the Philippines is risking its membership of the council, as well as its relationship with the body’s member-states. “Many of those states… Full Story »
“Are you a paedophile?” Duterte asks rights chief why he cares about boys shot by cops
President Duterte has questioned whether the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) Jose Gascon is a paedophile, due to his concern over the killing of teenage boys. The president also accused Mr Gascon of politicising the agency instead of engaging in important issues besetting the country. “Every day, even in Marawi, there are hostages there by… Full Story »
Lawmakers slash budget of human rights watchdog CHR to just 1,000 pesos
The House of Representatives has voted to slash the annual budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to just 1,000 pesos. The vote today (Tuesday, September 12) casts doubt on the future of the CHR, which has a constitutional remit to hold the government and police to account for abuses against citizens. The CHR… Full Story »
