The UN human rights office called on the Philippine government in a new report Thursday to end all violence targeting suspected drug offenders and to disband private and state-backed paramilitary groups.
The UN rights office chronicled long-standing concerns about state-backed and vigilante violence in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, who has particularly drawn domestic and international condemnation for a deadly crackdown on drug offenders and users.
It noted that official figures have documented more than 8,663 people have been killed since the government's campaign against illegal drugs began four years ago, "with some estimates putting the real toll at more than triple that number." The Philippine National Police placed the death toll of what officials call the "drug war" at more than 5,600.
"Unfortunately, the report has documented deep-seated impunity for serious human rights violations, and victims have been deprived of justice for the killings of their loved ones," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.There was no immediate comment from Duterte or the police. But they have stated in the past that there is no state policy condoning extrajudicial killings in the crackdown.
Ahead of the report, the Philippine diplomatic mission emailed a letter from Ambassador Evan Garcia to reporters in Geneva saying his government "has always maintained a positive approach to addressing claims and allegations and investigating claims of violations, on the basis of facts."
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