She is not welcome here.
The Philippines has made its intention very clear that its
doors are open to be investigated by the United Nation Human Rights Council
provided it will someone who would be fair and reasonable. Simply put- anybody can do the investigations
as long as it is not Agnes Callamard!
The government feels that it cannot have an unbiased review
under Callamard since she has already prejudged the country in its campaign
against illegal drugs when she showed up as a special guest in an event that
was clearly connected to those who oppose the Duterte administration. *
 |
| UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard (photo credit to owner) |
So what happens if United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes
Callamard comes Philippines?
This was actually a questioned that was posed to Presidential
Spokesman Harry Roque last weekend.
Roque in all his wittiness, answered the reporters by saying
they will invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur- to swim in the Pasig
river!.
"Kung siya po ay papasok sabihin niya, nagkaroon
siya ng obserbasyon bilang turista. So kapag pumasok po siya ay aanyayahan po
namin siyang lumangoy sa malamig na tubig ng Pasig River," he said.
The Presidential Spokesperson answered this when a scenario
was thrown at him where Agnes Callmard enters the country as a tourist, but
eventually investigates the alleged extra judicial killings in her time staying
in the country.
The special rapporteur has been locking horns with President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte over the alleged extra judicial killings being perpetrated
to the poor under the direct orders form the President. The war on illegal
drugs has been one of the campaign promises of Duterte to which has been implemented
since he stepped in Malacañang palace.
Last week in Roque expressed the country’s openness to be
investigated by the UN’s Human Rights Council as long as Callamard is out of
the picture. *
The Presidential Spokesperson said Agnes Callmard had failed
to pass the government's standards in terms of "character, credibility,
and trustworthiness."
Roque clarified that Callamard is “welcome” as a tourist and
as a matter of fact has already been in the country without an invitation.
Roque added
if Callamard enters, she should make it clear her observations were made as a
visitor and not part of her work as a UN special rapporteur.
"Kaya
lang ang masama doon huwag niyang palalabasin na nag-imbestiga siya kasi ang
pagpasok sa Pilipinas, hindi naman po iyan katumbas ng pag-iimbestiga,"
said Roque.
report from CNN Phils
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