Amnesty International on Thursday condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s shoot-to-kill directive against elective officials involved in the illegal drugs trade, calling it a “clear violation of the fundamental right to life.”
READ: Shoot-to-kill order vs narcopoliticos
“This is a deeply alarming call given the rapid rise in killings in the country. Amnesty International strongly opposes such measures, which will further exacerbate the culture of impunity amongst law enforcement officials for human rights violations in the Philippines,” the group said in a statement.
“These latest statements by President Duterte give law enforcement agencies unrestricted powers to continue further killings, which affects the most marginalized sectors of the population, including people who use drugs,” it added.
Last week, Duterte issued a shoot-to-kill order against “narcopoliticos,” before publicly naming local government officials and judges allegedly linked to drugs.
The London-based nongovernment organization said the Philippine government must adhere to international human rights standards while upholding public order and protecting the lives of individuals.
Amnesty International said law enforcement officials should be required to “as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force.”
“Under international human rights law, including treaties which legally bind the Philippines, the right to life is non-derogable. It cannot be restricted even in times of crisis,” the group said.
“Where the use of force is unavoidable, they must “exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense and the legitimate objective to be achieved,” minimize damage and injury and “ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment,” it added.
The group also criticized Duterte’s “deeply troubling” practice of publicly naming individuals supposedly involved in the drug trade “without providing sufficient evidence or due process,” saying it will contribute to “lawlessness.”
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“Amnesty International is also concerned that the practice of public naming and shaming of individuals, in a climate where anyone can kill anyone in the name of the ‘war on crime,’ is highly dangerous and will not only contribute to unlawful killings, but increased lawlessness, with ‘punishment’ being meted out in the absence of legal authority, cogent evidence and fair legal procedures,” it said.
As of August 8, the Inquirer’s “Kill List” counts 564 drug-related deaths since June 30 or after President Duterte took office. CDG/rga
READ: THE KILL LIST