The Philippines is prepared to host an international summit on the protection of human rights, President Duterte said on Thursday.

Under fire for his bloody drug crackdown, the President has proposed the “world summit on human rights” that would also probe any human rights violations of countries not only the Philippines.

“Let’s have a summit of how we can protect the human rights for all human race,” Duterte said during a press conference shortly after his meeting with the Filipino community last Thursday night in Da Nang, Vietnam.

“Bakit pag-usapan natin ‘yung Pilipinas? What makes the death of people in the Philippines more important than the rest of the children in the world that were massacred and killed. ‘Di ba? So we should call a summit and I can, I will volunteer to make the Philippines the venue,” he added.

The President insisted that all human rights violations committed by governments must be investigated. He said human rights victims are also invited to the country “to come and air their gripe or grievances.”

“Let us investigate all violations of human rights committed by all governments. I said, just because it happened 40 years ago, it happened 100 years ago. When it was wrong then, it is definitely still wrong now,” he said.

Asked how soon the human rights summit will be held, the President said he would first consult with the heads of states during the regional talks here.

When asked if he would invite the United Nations to the summit, the President voiced preference for lawyers and health experts.

“I’m more comfortable with a panel of lawyers kasi maintindihan nila kaagad [because they will understand] the legal implications. And maybe experts in the science of medicine and the destruction of the human body,” he said.

The President also revealed plans to invite UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard and question her supposed obsession on his drug war despite cases of violence in other parts of the world.

Tags: Da Nang, drug crackdown, Duterte proposes PH hosting of World Summit on Human Rights, Filipino community, human rights, international summit, Manila Bulletin, President Duterte, Vietnam, world summit

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn Kabiling

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