Iceland appreciates Phl invitation, maintains stand on human rights

MANILA — While Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano believes that Iceland will change its views on the human rights situation in the country, his Icelandic counterpart thinks otherwise.

Last week, Cayetano requested a meeting with Icelandic Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson following the latter's remarks at the High-Level Segment of the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Iceland took pride in leading 38 other countries in calling out the Philippines over alleged human rights violations in the conduct of its crackdown against the illegal drug trade. The Philippines' top diplomat expressed his confidence that Iceland and other countries would change minds in the human rights situation in the Philippines once they get to visit the country.

The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Cayetano invited an Icelandic delegation to visit the Philippines to observe the human rights situation during a "constructive meeting" with Thordarson at the sidelines of the Human Rights Council session.

"While Minister Thordarson appreciated the offer, he reiterated the position outlined in his address to the HRC on Monday that the government of the Philippines should cooperate with the UN to allow an objective assessment of the human rights without preconditions or limitations," the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"However, if Iceland can offer any assistance in facilitating the necessary conversation in Geneva between the Philippines and the UN it is willing to do so," the statement read.