AI decries use of force in antidrug campaign

London-based Amnesty International (AI) on Wednesday said that having over 1,700 drug-related killings by the police and unknown assailants in President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs indicated lawlessness instead of crime control.

The human rights group pointed out that antidrug operations based on the use of force were “counterproductive” as these merely lead to increased violence and rights abuses.

The Philippine National Police earlier reported that at least 1,067 alleged drug pushers and users had been killed by unidentified assailants and at least 712 others in police operations since July 1 when Mr. Duterte took office.

“The disclosure by Philippines’ police chief Ronald dela Rosa (of the number of killings) is a terrifying indication that the authorities are grossly failing in their obligations to respect and protect the right to life,” AI said in a statement.

It argued that the spate of killings “risks the further breakdown of the rule of law,” pointing out the state’s duty to protect the people from all forms of violence, and to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of the killings.

“Instead of inciting violence against people who have developed a dependency to drugs, the authorities should ensure they have access to medical care,” the group insisted.

AI said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had found that “heavy reliance on repressive policies and the use of force to control drug use and addiction across differing countries has not led to a decreased use of drugs over the years.”

“On the contrary, counternarcotic operations and other law enforcement practices based on the use of force and militarization have had a counterproductive effect, heightening the associated risks and harms of using drugs and increasing the levels of violence, human rights violations and abuses,” it stressed.

Drug suspects have the right to fair trial, the group said, adding that “incitement to violence and discrimination are prohibited under international law and risk escalating a cycle of violence in the country.” Dona Z. Pazzibugan