A human rights group on Wednesday, September 23, said President Rodrigo Duterte was “posturing in making desperate pleas” during his first–ever speech before the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

In a statement, Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said Duterte’s “lies are on full display” as international pressure mounts against widespread abuses under his administration.

“As expected, Duterte’s lies, hollow promises, and honeyed words before the UNGA do not reflect the worsening public health, socioeconomic, and human rights crisis that the Filipino people are currently facing,” Palabay said.

Duterte, in his speech, called for “open dialogue” on human rights issues, but emphasized that there should be “noninterference.” He also hit those who “weaponized human rights” against him.

Why not be open?

This messaging from the President came after years of openly rejecting calls from groups to allow international and local probes into his violent anti-drug campaign. He also dismissed concerns by UN experts, even threatening to slap rapporteur Agnes Callamard.

Data from the Philippine National Police show there have been at least 7,884 deaths during police operations as of August 31, 2020. This figure excludes victims of vigilante-style killings, which groups estimate to have already reached more than 27,000. (READ: How the Duterte government underreports drug war killings)

Palabay said that if Duterte were really open to engagement, his government should have allowed the UN to conduct field investigations into the killings in the Philippines.

“Instead, their requests for such are met with threats of violence, wild accusations of foreign meddling, and demeaning insults,” Palabay said.

Act now vs Duterte

The Philippine government also earlier said it cannot fully implement the recommendations of a report by UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet because of “the faulty conclusions on which they were premised.” 

The report, released in June, stated that the widespread killings were possibly triggered by the President’s violent rhetoric, which “may have had the effect of encouraging, backing, or even ordering human rights violations with impunity.”

On September 14, Bachelet reiterated that there is an urgent need to revoke policies that have led to killings.

Groups are now calling for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to launch an independent investigation into the situation in the Philippines. They fear that inaction would worsen the culture of impunity under Duterte.

The UNHRC’s 45th Session is ongoing and expected to last until October 6.

“They have to act now to hold Duterte accountable for his lies and attacks on the people,” Palabay said.

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– Rappler.com