Minority senators to gov’t: Heed UN panel recommendation to free De Lima

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition senators on Friday urged government to heed the recommendation of a working group of the United Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to release detained Senator Leila de Lima.

The minority bloc filed Senator Resolution No. 1019, urging appropriate government agencies to comply with the recommendations of the UNHRC Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNHRC-WGAD) to release De Lima and take necessary steps to “remedy” her situation.

READ: UNHRC asks Philippine gov’t to release detained Senator De Lima

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1062317/unhrc-asks-philippine-govt-to-release-detained-senator-de-lima

“The Philippines as a member of the United Nations should always endeavor to ‘fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in according with the present Charter’ as mandated by Article 2 paragraph 2 of the UN Charter,” the resolution read.

“The Philippines as a member of the UNHRC must faithfully comply with its obligation to promote, protect and uphold the human rights of all regardless of sex, race, religion, or political beliefs, and opinions,” it added.

The resolution was signed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Francis Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes, Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros.

The UN working panel has recommended to the Philippine government to “remedy” De Lima’s situation and conform it with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The panel also asked that De Lima be released from “unjust detention” and accord her with compensation and other reparations, including her reinstatement in the positions from which she was ousted. De Lima is now detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame as she is facing drug related cases in courts.

It also called for a full and independent investigation on De Lima’s arbitrary deprivation of liberty and take appropriate measures against those responsible for violating her right.

The minority senators also noted that the UN working panel has not received any response from the Philippine government about any action taken on their recommendations.

The UNHRC-WGAD had earlier referred De Lima’s case to the UN special rapporteurs to investigate the alleged violations committed against her as a duly-elected senator and a human rights defender. /muf