Cayetano: Callamard not fit to investigate PH human rights record

In a Facebook live video, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was in Malacanang for “official work” said that the cabinet will be meeting to discuss the human rights records in the country. (Photo: Alan Peter Cayetano/ Facebook)

While various groups had criticized the Philippine report on its human rights record, Cayetano clarified that the Philippine delegation did not deny  any of the cases relating to  extrajudicial killings in the country.

Cayetano said that while the United Nations can usually order independent investigations, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard is not fit to do her job.

He said that Callamard is “not a prosecutor who will take the initiative  and judge  government actions.” Cayetano also told the UN Commission on Human Rights that the Philippines will welcome an independent investigation “as long as (the investigator) is independent and fair.”

“The problem with Dr. Callamard is that she has her own  ideology on human rights. That ideology is based on the belief that dealing with drugs should be decriminalized, especially possession of drugs for personal use,” he said in Filipino.

Cayetano also made a point to raise/shed light on   Callamard’s background —  that she is not an expert on extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.

Callamard is a lecturer at Columbia University and teaches government accountability and communications.

Right after leading the Philippine delegation in the recently concluded Universal Periodic Review, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano heads to Cambodia together with President Rodrigo Duterte to attend a World Economic Forum.

Cayetano had just been appointed as the new Foreign Affairs Secretary.