Duterte ready to host rights summit
Int’l meeting should not only focus on the Philippines, but globally
DA NANG, Vietnam – President Duterte, who has been under fire for his bloody war on illegal drugs, on Thursday offered to host an international summit on the protection of human rights.
The President proposed that the “world summit on human rights” should also probe human rights violations of other countries, and
not just focus on the Philippines.
“Let’s have a summit of how we can protect the human rights for all human race,” Duterte said during a press conference shortly after his meeting with the Filipino community last Thursday night here.
“Bakit pag-usapan natin ‘yung Pilipinas? What makes the death of people in the Philippines more important than the rest of the children in the world that were massacred and killed, ‘di ba? So we should call a summit and I can… I will volunteer to make the Philippines the venue,” he added.
The President insisted that all human rights violations committed by governments must be investigated. He said human rights victims are also invited to the country “to come and air their gripe or grievances.”
“Let us investigate all violations of human rights committed by all governments. I said, just because it happened 40 years ago, it happened 100 years ago. When it was wrong then, it is definitely still wrong now,” he said.
Asked how soon the human rights summit will be held, the President said he would first consult with the heads of states during the regional talks here.
Asked if he would invite the United Nations to the summit, the President voiced preference for lawyers and health experts.
“I’m more comfortable with a panel of lawyers kasi maintindihan nila kaagad [because they will understand] the legal implications. And maybe experts in the science of medicine and the destruction of the human body,” he said.
The President also revealed plans to invite UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard and question her supposed obsession on his drug war despite cases of violence in other parts of the world.
“I would call first Callamard. I have not heard you comment on the so many killings, the victims of bombs and of violence there in the Middle East,” he said.
“What have you been doing all the time? Why are you so fascinated with drugs? And you also should take note that there are plenty of Americans who died because of drugs,” he added.
Prior to the media interview, the President threatened to slap Callamard if she investigates him for the alleged summary killings linked to his drug war. Duterte, speaking to the Filipino workers gathered at a hotel here, believes that he won’t get a fair hearing from the UN envoy.
“How can I get a fair hearing, if you yourself do not even read the publications of your mother organizations, the United Nations, under it, is the Human Rights Commission,” he said.
Duterte said he must be “crazy” if he would submit himself under Callamard’s investigation for alleged rights abuses. He recalled that Callamard once brought in an expert who made a “stupid” claim that drugs were harmless.
Duterte also threatened to ban two American lawmakers from coming to Manila after they criticized US President Donald Trump for inviting him to visit the United States.
“If you do not like me, I do not like you. We’re even,” he said without naming the lawmakers.
Democratic Rep. James McGovern and Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren had called on Trump to highlight the human rights situation in the Philippines in his upcoming visit to Manila.
Duterte disclosed plans to put “two US solons” on the immigration watch list after supposedly planning to protest in case he visits the United States.
“Sabihin ko sa kanila, you are too presumptuous. What made you think that I am even planning or thinking about visiting your country?” Duterte said during a press conference after meeting the Filipino community in Da Nang last Thursday night.
“I’d like to know their names also because I can include them in the Immigration barred list. Totoo,” he added.
If these lawmakers were opposed to his visit to their homeland, Duterte claimed he could either ban or protest their travel to the Philippines.
“You are also prohibited from entering mine or I will protest if that is the farthest that I can go,” he said.
At the Philippine Senate, Sen. Vicente Sotto III slammed on Friday the two US congressmen for calling on President Donald Trump to take up the spate of alleged drug-related extra-judicial killings in his meeting with President Duterte.
“Mga pakialamero!” Sotto commented.
The two US solons, in pushing their appeal, cited being “distressed” learning during their congressional hearing “that police have killed 7,000 alleged drug dealers and users without charges or trial since the Philippine government launched its campaign against illicit drugs.”
This, however, did not sit well with Sotto, who is a vocal supporter of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Challenging Hultgren and McGovern’s appeal, Sotto said he, in turn, will urge Duterte to raise in their meeting the mounting deaths in the US stemming from its problem on gun control.
“Okay, then let’s take up with Trump the mass killings of American citizens and their issue on gun control,” he said in a text message. (With a report from Vanne P. Terrazola)