No private meeting, joint press briefing for UN rapporteur

President Duterte yesterday rejected United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard’s proposal to hold a private meeting and joint press conference with him on extrajudicial killings and insisted on having a public debate with her on the issue.

The government had invited Callamard to the Philippines to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects but insisted that she engage Duterte in a public debate where Duterte would ask her questions.

Callamard has rejected the conditions, saying these go against the code of conduct for special rapporteurs. She said the findings of an investigation should be confidential so she can build trust among her sources of information.

“I have highlighted in particular the principles of independence and confidentiality, which should guide my mission, and the necessity of building and maintaining trust with all stakeholders, precluding any public debates,” she said, referring to her letter to the Philippine government on Thursday.

“I have also referred the government to Article 3.f of the Code of Conduct which clearly request that I shall not seek or accept any instructions from any government or other actor and to Article 5 regarding the solemn declaration I have made upon prior to assuming my functions,” she added.

Instead of a public debate, Callamard suggested holding a private debriefing with Duterte and a joint press conference where the President can challenge her findings.

Duterte, however, was firm on his stand that he and Callamard should have a public debate.

“No, I want it discussed in public so she can state her case. If that’s what she did then I can refute her and ask her where did you get that garbage? What extrajudicial killings?” he said in a news conference in Zamboanga City yesterday.

“I’ve been very open about everything. My order is to destroy (the drug apparatus). They did not understand the enforcement and the presidency,” he added.

Duterte said his order to destroy the drug apparatus includes not only tangible objects but also people involved in the narcotics trade.

“I’m not ordering a punitive police action. I’m declaring war because of the number of people, Filipinos who were victimized by drugs,” he added.

Commission on Human Rights chairman Chito Gascon called on the government to also extend the invitation for other special rapporteurs to visit the country.

“We should extend all courtesies and cooperation to the established UN mechanisms that are designed to assist states in protecting human rights,” Gascon said.