Over 60 human rights and civil society groups around the world on Thursday, August 27, urged the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to conduct an independent investigation into extradjudicial killings and other “serious” human rights violations in the Philippines.

In a letter addressed to members and observer states of the UNHRC on Thursday, August 27, the 62 groups highlighted the recent murders of human rights defenders Randall “Randy” Echanis and Zara Alvarez, and other cases in the Philippines, in calling for Council action.

“We, the undersigned civil society organizations, write to express our continued grave concern over ongoing extrajudicial executions and other serious human rights violations in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines, which continues to be fueled by incitement to violence and discrimination by the highest levels of government with near-total impunity,” they said.

“We urge your delegation to ensure that the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) responds robustly to the recent report on the situation in the Philippines by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights when it convenes for its upcoming 45th session,” they added.

‘Independent international investigative mechanism’

The groups specifically urged the UNHRC “to actively work towards the adoption of a resolution establishing an independent international investigative mechanism on extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations committed in the Philippines since 2016, with a view to contributing to accountability.”

“This would be in line with clear calls by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a group of Special Procedures, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, and national and international civil society,” they added.

They noted the deterioration of the human rights situation in the Philippines since Duterte assumed office in 2016.

“Attacks against human rights defenders and critics of the government – including activists, journalists, church leaders, trade union leaders, indigenous and peasant leaders and individuals who are members of groups affiliated with the political left – are frequent and persistent,” they said.

Aside from the killings of Echanis and Alvarez, and the continued intimidation of activists and human rights defenders in the country, the groups also cited the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr, and the shutdown of media giant ABS-CBN. (READ: ABS-CBN shutdown, Maria Ressa threat borne of Duterte’s ‘contempt’ for press – int’l human rights lawyer)

They expressed concern that “in the absence of any further Council action, the Philippine government will likely be emboldened to continue and escalate its violent anti-drug campaign and other serious rights violations, including reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society organizations, while the pervasive fear among victims and their families will only increase.”

“Given the failure of the Philippine authorities to stop or effectively investigate crimes under international law and punish those responsible, we urge your delegation to work towards the adoption of a resolution to ensure that the Philippines remains on the agenda of the HRC and to create an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into extrajudicial executions in the context of the “war on drugs” and other human rights violations committed since 2016,” they said.

“The creation of such a mechanism is the only credible next step that the HRC can take to address the ongoing human rights crisis in the Philippines,” they added.

‘Remarkable show of solidarity’

“The several dozen Philippine and international groups calling for an investigation into the Philippines is a remarkable show of solidarity that members of the UN Human Rights Council should not ignore,” said Laila Matar, deputy Geneva director at Human Rights Watch.

“The extrajudicial killings and other severe rights abuses in the Philippines continue unabated, and the groups endorsing this letter are saying enough is enough,” Matar added.

In a June report, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that since 2016, at least 8,663 people have been killed in the context of Duerte’s drug war, though local rights groups claim the actual tally could be triple this number.

The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has denied that it is behind these deaths. Philippine Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said during the 44th session of the Human Rights Council in June that a government panel would look into the nearly 6,000 reported killings done by police officers.

Matar doubted the sincerity of the government’s response.

“States should not buy into Manila’s misleading campaign and instead demand accountability through a strong resolution that recognizes that the human rights situation in the Philippines has not improved and ensures investigations,” she said.

The UNHRC will convene its 45th session on September 14. – Rappler.com