Int’l rights group urge PH lawmakers to oppose death penalty

MANILA, Philippines—An international human rights group composed of members across Southeast Asia called on Philippine legislators to strongly oppose efforts aimed at reintroducing the death penalty in the country.

There have been 13 bills related to the death penalty filed in the House of Representatives while 11 are pending in the Senate following President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to revive capital punishment in his efforts to curb crime rates.

Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian parliament and chair of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said reinstating the death penalty in the Philippines is in direct violation of the country’s human rights obligations.

“When considering bringing back the death penalty, Philippine lawmakers must remember that it is an inhumane and ineffective punishment, and reinstating it will be in total violation of the Philippines’ human rights obligations,” said Santiago in a statement.

“Instead of finding new ways of adding to the long list of casualties of the drug war, the Philippine government should focus its efforts on tackling the root causes of crime and drug use. This starts with ending impunity for police violence, strengthening the criminal justice system, and developing health-focused based policies.”

Many of the legislators are pushing for the death penalty for crimes including drug-related offenses, murder, rape, kidnapping, and treason.

Congress’ plans to revive the death penalty, which was abolished in 1987 and again in 2006 after it was revived in 1993, is concerning especially with the Philippines still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that has so far infected upwards of 100,000 people in the country.

“Studies have shown that there is no link between capital punishment and any deterrent effect on crime. Rather, those that will be impacted most heavily will, once again, be the poor or underprivileged who cannot afford legal representation to protect their rights,” said Santiago.

There’s also the issue of the Philippines’ status as a member of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that has Second Optional Protocol aimed at the abolition of the death penalty.

/MUF