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 »
human rights philippines
“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 »
Dawn of the nosy neighbour: Police want civilian spies in every village
A regional police force is building a network of civilian spies to target suspected criminals, rebels and “unfamiliar faces”. Called the “Community Mobilisaton Project” (CMP) the scheme is being introduced in the region of Calabarzon, which includes Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. The plan has drawn comparism to the anticommunist Alsa Masa (Masses Arise)… Full Story »
Jailed senator rejects Duterte’s claim that teen deaths are plan to sabotage drug war
President Duterte has claimed that the recent shootings of teenage boys — apparently by anti-drug police — were attempts to sabotage his anti-narcotics crusade. While his finger of blame has pointed towards his usual critics, he has given no clue as to how they might have launched such a deadly and clandestine operation. Writing from… Full Story »
