Thread by @Howardrjohnson

BREAKING The UN adopts a resolution that spares the Philippines from an international probe into alleged human rights abuses, ‘recognising’, the govt’s announcement of a review panel that would re-evaluate cases of deaths during police drug war operations. THREAD #UNHRC45

The overall aim of the resolution is to improve: “technical cooperation and capacity-building for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.”

It ‘underlines’ the importance for Pres. Duterte’s govt to ensure “accountability for human rights violations and in this regard to conduct independent full & transparent investigations & to prosecute all those who have perpetrated serious crimes… in accordance with due process”

It follows a damning UN report in June that detailed claims of systematic violations including killings, arbitrary detentions and vilification of dissent:

https://twitter.com/Howardrjohnson/status/1268392131996995584?s=20

...and follows calls from UN Human Rights experts for an independent international investigation:

https://twitter.com/AgnesCallamard/status/1276176747466235904?s=20

But the resolution takes note of the Philippine Government's “efforts to further broaden positive engagement with the UN system… in particular through discussion of a multi-year UN Joint Program on Human Rights”.

However, the Philippines own state-funded Commission on Human Rights told the UNHRC this week: “Despite impressions to engage with the UN, Government has not enabled improved conditions on the ground.  Killings have not abated, harassments continue, lawfare remains.”

@chrgovph: “Non-cooperation persists as prevailing practice, specifically on investigation of killings resulting from the administration’s ‘drug war’. The recently signed data Sharing agreement, excludes this category of killings.”

@chrgovph: “This resolution is received with great disappointment from the human rights community. It falls short of expectations to extend the High Commissioner’s mandate to continue monitoring the human rights situation.”

The resolution also calls for the “condemning all acts of intimidation & reprisals, both online and offline, by State & non-State actors against individuals & groups working to promote & protect human rights & those who seek to cooperate... with the UN”. bbc.co.uk/news/world-asi…

Resolution L.38 tasks the UN Human Rights Office to continue to provide updates on the situation to the Council over the next two years.

Amnesty International says resolution, led by Iceland and Philippines, is a “missed opportunity to seek justice for thousands of unlawful killings… but scrutiny continues”, it urges stronger measures at future Human Rights Council sessions.

@amnesty: "Human Rights Council failed to advance justice for bereaved families across the Philippines who had placed their hopes in the international community.”

Today Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson insisted the President is against unnecessary use of force in crime crackdown: philstar.com/headlines/2020…

The UNHRC resolution is separate from the International Criminal Court preliminary examination into allegations of crimes committed during the 'war on drugs'. The @IntlCrimCourt is expected to announce if it will open a full investigation before the end of the year.

@hrw observes High Commissioner for Human Rights to present an oral update to @UN_HRC at its forty-eighth session (September 2021) and to submit a report to the Council at its fifty-first session (September 2022).

https://twitter.com/condeHRW/status/1313798393936793607?s=20

President Duterte's comms team: Resolution represents a "U-turn" by @UN_HRC, "a significant reversal of a narrow & contentious decision reached in July 2019” that called for @mbachelet “to report on the human rights situation... on the basis of unverified & sweeping allegations.

Allegations stemming from journalism like @berehulak: nytimes.com/interactive/20…

Office of @mbachelet: “The High Commissioner hopes the steps envisaged in the resolution will produce meaningful results, including in relation to the campaign against illegal drugs, accountability and justice for victims of serious human rights violations, and civic space”

Office of @mbachelet: “The UN Human Rights Office and the UN’s human rights mechanisms will continue to monitor progress and the effective implementation of the resolution very closely.”

Days after the resolution is passed a Philippine army commander labels the country’s Commission on Human Rights "termites”. LtGen Parlade’s statement focuses on army’s human rights record vs PH Communist insurgency, makes no mention of UN drug war concerns bit.ly/34Mb9fk

Context: Why comparing the Commission on Human Rights to pests is controversial -theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…