Tag: Human rights
News in photos: PHL delegation presents the country’s HR situation in Geneva
Malacanang questions UN Special Rapporteur’s objectivity, professionalism
(Eagle News) — Malacanang has put into question the objectivity and professionalism of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Dr. Agnes Callamard. A Palace spokesperson pointed out that her visit to the Philippines in an unofficial capacity mainly to criticize the country’s drug war, was done while a Philippine delegation had been sent to the UN office in Geneva to report and explain the human rights situation in the […]
At UN, US warns of human rights in Iran, Cuba, N.Korea
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United States on Tuesday singled out North Korea and Syria over human rights violations and warned at the United Nations that new conflicts could be triggered by abuses in Iran, Cuba and North Korea. US ambassador Nikki Haley made the case at the Security Council that more attention should be focused on rights abuses to prevent conflict, a view challenged by Russia, China and other countries at the […]
Amal Clooney urges Iraq to allow probe of IS crimes
UNITED NATION, United States (AFP) — Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney on Thursday urged Iraq to agree to a UN investigation of atrocities committed by the Islamic State group and bring those responsible for crimes to justice. Clooney, who represents Yazidi women who escaped from IS enslavement, was addressing UN member-states for the second time in six months to appeal for action to prosecute IS militants. “Why is it that nothing has been done?” Clooney […]
President Duterte calls UN High Commissioner “a little bit crazy” for interfering in PHL affairs
(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte called the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein “stupid and “a little bit crazy” for tagging him as a “murderer” and for dictating on the Philippine government on what it should do on its own affairs. Mr. Duterte said it was not proper for a UN official to dictate on a sovereign country what it should do. He said Al Hussein cannot just […]
US to talk to President Duterte on Visiting Forces Agreement
QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The United States of America will talk with the Philippine government after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to cancel the Visiting Forces Agreement when the US postponed $433 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the Philippines due to the human rights situation in the country.
Blast at Syria-Turkey border kills 20 rebels: monitor
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — At least 20 Syrian rebels were killed in a blast at a border crossing with Turkey on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based monitoring group said it was unclear what caused the blast at the Atme crossing between Turkey and the northern Syrian province of Idlib, adding that around 20 people had also been wounded. Turkey’s state-run Anatolia news agency confirmed the blast left 20 people dead […]
Illegal drugs and human rights
QUEZON City, Philippines (October 4) – Several concerns were raised regarding the state of human rights in the Philippines. The United Nations sent its investigators to the Philippines to look into such issues like poverty, education, labor, human trafficking, homelessness and gender equality. The Philippine Drug War – officially named Campaign Plan Double Barrel – was questioned and probed. Then came the figures. According to the Philippine National Police, 1, 276 “drug personalities” were killed in police […]
Thai authorities bar Amnesty International talk on torture
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Thai authorities blocked an Amnesty International news conference on torture in the kingdom Wednesday, the watchdog said, the latest move to silence rights groups in the army-run country. Two foreign Amnesty International staff were scheduled to speak at the Bangkok launch of a report detailing 74 cases of alleged torture at the hands of Thai soldiers and police. But the advocacy group was told Wednesday morning that speaking at the event would be […]
Security is high in Vientiane ahead of regional meeting
(REUTERS) Laos is set to welcome world leaders ahead of an annual summit as it increased security on the streets of capital Vientiane on Monday (September 5). The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) and East Asia Summit (EAS) will bring together leaders from the 10-nations regional bloc and their dialogue partners like United States, China, Russia, Japan and Australia to discuss international issues in a three-day meeting. Topics such as South China Sea […]
Philippines’ Duterte: Obama must listen to me on human rights
(REUTERS) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he was ready to discuss any issues with Barack Obama when they meet in Laos next week, but added that the U.S. president must listen to him first before bringing up the question of human rights. Washington has expressed concern about a surge in drug-related killings since Duterte became president two months ago promising to wipe out narcotics in the Southeast Asian nation. Asked if he would […]
