(Brussels, September 20, 2016) The European Parliament resolution, adopted on 15 September 2016, condemns the current spree of extrajudicial killings by vigilantes and in police operations linked to the high-profile anti-drug campaign sponsored by President Rodrigo Duterte. The resolution calls for the launch of an immediate investigation into the reports of extra-judicial killings and urges the authorities to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by the Philippines. It further calls on the authorities to set-up a national mechanism for the prevention of torture and ratify without delay the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and criminalize enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in its national legislation.
FIDH and its member organization Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) provided a comprehensive briefer prior to the vote. The resolution echoes their concerns and recommendations, namely to guarantee protection for human rights defenders, trade unionists, and journalists. The resolution also condemns any proposal to reintroduce the death penalty and urges the EU to use all available instruments to assist the the Philippine government in respecting its international human rights obligations, notably through the Framework Agreement.