‘YOU CAN’T COMPROMISE ON HUMAN RIGHTS’
U2 lead singer Bono on Tuesday said there could be no compromise on human rights as the world marked Human Rights Day. “I would just say you can’t compromise on human rights, and that is my soft message to the President,” he said, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte, who had been criticized in connection with the government’s deadly war on drugs. “I am a member of Amnesty International. I have been all my life. I take it very seriously, and I think human rights are critical,” he added.
In August, Amnesty International released a 45-page report that said the Philippines had reached the “threshold of crimes against humanity” and urged the United Nations “to hold President Duterte and his government accountable.”
The global philanthropist also called on governments to protect journalists. “Saving journalists is very important.”
“Democracry requires a free press.
Some journalists can be a total pain in the arse, but I’m glad they’re there,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government said it would continue to support and promote human rights.
“We are one with the United Nations and the rest of the international community in commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said.
“There is still a lot to be done to fully realize the freedom of everyone, not just the Filipino people. Let’s all work together, strive and stand up for justice, equality and human dignity,” he added.
“The Duterte Administration will continue to support and promote everyone’s human rights and freedom as we uphold our cause of saving human lives,” Andanar said.