LOOK: UN body’s opinion on Gloria Arroyo’s detention
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) has reminded the Philippine government that its national laws “should comply with all obligations under international human rights law” over the case of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In the disposition of its 10-page opinion, a copy of which was furnished to INQUIRER.net by the UN office in Manila, the international body said Arroyo’s detention was “in contravention” of certain articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
“Consequent upon the opinion rendered, the Working Group requests the (Philippine) government to take the necessary steps to remedy the situation of Ms. Arroyo without delay and bring it into conformity with the standards and principles in the UDHR and the ICCPR,” the UNWGAD said in its statement.
The international body said the “adequate remedy” would be to allow Arroyo to seek bail.
“Taking into account all circumstances of the case, the Working Group considers that the adequate remedy would be reconsideration of Ms. Arroyo’s application for bail in accordance with the relevant international human rights standards, and to accord Ms. Arroyo with an enforceable right to compensation in accordance with article 9, paragraph 5 of the ICCPR for the deprivation of liberty which has already occurred,” the UN body further said.
“If the remaining criminal cases proceed against Ms. Arroyo, the Working Group requests the Government to ensure fair trials which respect all guarantees enshrined in international human rights law,” it added.
READ: Arroyo appeals junking of bail plea in PCSO plunder case
Arroyo is currently detained over alleged plunder for using for personal gains the P366 million intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office from 2008 to 2010.
Citing an email by international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, Arroyo’s lawyer Lorenzo Gadon on Thursday told the media that UNWGAD had found Arroyo’s hospital detention as arbitrary, violative of international human rights, and politically motivated.
READ: ‘UN body: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s detention arbitrary, illegal’ | UN slams Arroyo detention
The wife of US actor George Clooney is representing Arroyo at the UN over a human rights complaint that the former president’s camp filed before the UNWGAD. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/RAM
