UN special rapporteur welcomes halt on anti-drug operations in PH

Agnes Callamard, the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, has welcomed the suspension of police anti-drug operations in the country.

But Callamard also said this must be coupled with an investigation of all the unlawful killings, and those responsible must be held accountable.

“A pause in the war on drugs is welcomed. It must include Investigation of all unlawful death, accountability, reparation,” Callamard said on her Twitter account.

Callamard has expressed interest in conducting an inquiry into the drug-related killings in the country, but the plan has hit a snag.

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The Philippines’ invitation to her came with conditions from President Duterte, including a public debate with him.

Callamard had asked the government to lift the restrictions, saying they run counter to the terms of reference and code of conduct for rapporteurs.

But Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay earlier said the Philippine government would insist on the conditions. CDG