UN experts to probe alleged human rights violations vs De Lima

MANILA, Philippines — Three United Nations special rapporteurs are set to investigate the alleged human rights violations committed against detained lawmaker Leila De Lima, one of the most outspoken critics of President Rodrigo Duterte.

This, after the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention formally referred De Lima’s case to the three special rapporteurs after it found sufficient grounds that violate her rights as a senator and a human rights defender.

The referral was part of the recommendations contained in the opinion officially adopted by UNHRC-WGAD last August 24. It was published last November 30.

David Kaye, UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression, would probe the alleged violations committed against the senator “after she expressed her intention to investigate the extrajudicial killings under the so-called war on drugs.”

Special rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences Dubravka Simonovic was tasked to investigate the alleged discrimination committed against De Lima due to her political opinion and her status as a rights advocate and a woman.

“The working group expresses its particular concern at the sexist statements and attacks on her personal life by President Rodrigo Duterte and his political allies that cast serious doubt on the government’s solemn undertaking to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights,” the opinion said.

Meanwhile, Diego Garcia-Sayan, special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, was assigned to look into violations of De Lima’s rights for a fair trial.

The UN working group, moreover, asked the Philippine government to immediately free De Lima and ensure an independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding her deprivation of liberty.  

De Lima was arrested on Feb. 24, 2017, over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison. The senator, who is currently detained at Camp Crame, has repeatedly denied the charges.

Malacañang on Thursday accused the United Nations of being used by groups critical of Duterte as a “tool for vilification.”

“We are fed up with this practice of using the UN as a platform to parrot baseless criticism of local interest groups who are supported by politicians belonging to the opposition. UNSRs should be less gullible as this reinforces the president’s contempt for them who have consistently manifested bias against the Philippines,” Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said.