MANILA, Philippines — The European Union, repeatedly slammed by President Rodrigo Duterte for supposedly meddling with the country’s affairs, named the rights situation in the Philippines as one that requires the attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“The EU remains deeply concerned about the high number of killings associated with the campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines,” EU in a statement during the 37th Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The regional bloc stressed that the government’s campaign against illegal drugs must be in full compliance with due process, national law and international human rights law.
“It is imperative to conduct prompt, effective, impartial and transparent investigations of all cases of death leading to prosecution in all cases of unlawful killing,” EU said.
It also noted that public health approach to the war on drugs is vital.
Early in March, the EU gave €3.8 million in aid (P243.02 million) to the Philippines to fund drug rehabilitation facilities in the country. The Palace welcomed the assistance, calling it a “big boost” to the government’s drug rehabilitation program.
READ: Palace: EU aid a 'big boost' to government drug rehabilitation program
Last October, an EU report said that the human rights situation in the Philippines worsened in the second half of 2016 under Duterte’s administration due to the government’s ferocious drug war.
The EU’s annual report came less than a week after the government announced it would no longer accept grants from the bloc which are offered with conditions.
Duterte, also in October, threatened to expel EU ambassadors to leave the country within 24 hours. He claimed that the EU threatened to have the Philippines expelled from the UN because of his drug war.
Palace rushed to clarify Duterte’s warning to EU ambassadors, saying the president’s remarks were directed at the statement of a group of EU parliamentarians, which does not represent the bloc.
READ: Palace rushes to explain as Duterte mistakenly aims ire at EU
Individuals and organizations both at home and abroad have criticized Duterte for his ferocious “war on drugs” which has claimed over 12,000 lives, according to human rights watchdogs.
The government, however, dispute these numbers and counts a little over 4,000 “drug personalities” killed in police operations.