PHL joins calls vs state detention as tool vs govts

THE Philippines formally joined 59 other countries that expressed grave concern about the use of arbitrary arrest or detention of foreign nationals by states to gain unnecessary leverage over their governments, contrary to international law.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., signed on to the declaration against arbitrary detention in state-tostate relations during a social-media appearance.

“By signing on to this declaration, we lend our voice to a chorus of nations calling for the release of foreign nationals who are arbitrarily detained by foreign states and urging all states to refrain from this reprehensible practice.”

“We stand in solidarity with countries whose nationals have been detained by other states seeking leverage over them,” he added.

A netizen tweeted congratulated Locsin, saying, "At the time the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was opened for signature it was not binding, but thanks to the visionaries who signed it, most of its provisions are now customary and conventional law. Congratulations for the vision.”

Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, noted constitutionalist and law dean, replying to Locsin, said, “Detention of foreign nationals by aggressive states to gain leverage against the States of origin of such detained nationals is wrong on two fronts: first, it is a violation of human rights; second, it constitutes aggression against the State whose nationals are detained.