Push Admin

Activists say drug war fight not over, despite UNHRC 'letdown'

Article (news)

Karen Lema, Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/reuters/10/08/philippines-rights.jpg"/><figcaption>Members of the human rights groups hold banners calling to investigate Philippine President Rodrigo Dutere, during a news conference in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines July 12, 2019. Eloisa Lopez, Reuters/File</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - Activists and families of victims of the Philippines&#x27; bloody war on drugs on Thursday vowed to keep fighting for justice after the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) opted to give technical assistance to a government accused of ignoring atrocities.The council on Wednesday voted to provide help to the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to try to ensure unlawful killings and other violations were properly investigated and prosecuted.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/08/20/philippines-to-fully-cooperate-with-un-on-rights-issues-palace-says-after-aid-pledge">Philippines to &#x27;fully cooperate&#x27; with UN on rights issues, Palace says after aid pledge</a></li></ul>The decision comes despite a landmark UN report in June that said tens of thousands of people may have been killed in Duterte&#x27;s war on drugs since mid-2016 with &quot;near impunity&quot; for police, and incitement from top officials. The government has rejected that.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/04/20/near-impunity-for-drug-war-killings-in-philippines-un-report-says">&#x27;Near impunity&#x27; for drug war killings in Philippines, UN report says</a></li></ul>Activists said the resolution was a letdown, but it would not weaken their resolve or their pursuit of a comprehensive international investigation.&quot;There will be no let-up on our campaign for justice,&quot; said Llore Pasco, 65, who represents Rise up for life and for rights, a network of victims&#x27; families.&quot;We will intensify our collection of evidence so we can pursue our call for an independent investigation,&quot; said Pasco, whose two sons were killed.&quot;The fight is not yet over.&quot;The president&#x27;s office on Thursday said the council&#x27;s adoption of the latest resolution was a &quot;reversal of the narrow and contentious decision&quot; it had made last year, when it voted in favor of compiling a report on human rights in the Philippines.The latest resolution keeps the issue on the agenda for another two years.Human rights groups accuse police of systematically executing suspected drug dealers and users. Police reject that and say all those killed had resisted arrest.For Cristina Palabay, head of human rights group Karapatan, that meant the international community remained committed to closely monitoring the Philippines and Duterte&#x27;s government was not yet off the hook.However, Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher for Human Rights Watch, said the government was using &quot;cynical and misleading spin,&quot; because the council&#x27;s resolution had &quot;affirmed the abuses&quot;.

MANILA - Activists and families of victims of the Philippines' bloody war on drugs on Thursday vowed to keep fighting for justice after the United Nations Human Rights Council opted to give technical assistance to a government accused of ignoring atrocities.

MANILA - Activists and families of victims of the Philippines' bloody war on drugs on Thursday vowed to keep fighting for justice after the United Nations Human Rights Council opted to give technical assistance to a government accused of ignoring atrocities.

Activists say drug war fight not over, despite UNHRC 'letdown'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Spotlight

Activists say drug war fight not over, despite UNHRC 'letdown'

Karen Lema,

Reuters

Published Oct 09, 2020 12:03 AM PHT

Read More:

war on drugs

drug war

Tokhang

Malacanang

activists

human rights

UN

UN human rights

UNHRC

Duterte

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.