U.N. Rights Expert, on Visit to Philippines, Denounces ‘War on Drugs’ Approach
In her remarks on Friday, Dr. Callamard did acknowledge
that drugs had become a global problem, causing health disorders for 29 million users and weakening the rule of law and governance enough to be identified as a "major threat." Those attending the special session last year "repeatedly denounced drug-related corruption, decrying its role in the obstruction of justice, including through intimidation of justice officials," Dr. Callamard said.
Delegates at the United Nations General Assembly special session last year had recognized
drug dependency as a "disorder of a chronic and relapsing nature," Dr. Callamard said.
Mr. Duterte has said that the Philippines would allow Dr. Callamard to carry out an official
investigation into the killings if she allowed him to publicly question her as well.
Speaking at a private policy forum in Manila, Agnès S. Callamard, the United Nations
special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, did not mention Mr. Duterte by name.
By FELIPE VILLAMORMAY 5, 2017
MANILA — Implicitly rebuking the leader of the Philippines on a visit to his country, the United Nations’ top expert on extrajudicial killings said on Friday
that governments around the world had rejected the "war on drugs" approach being championed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
