MANILA -- The government continues to uphold the rule of law and ensure that alleged human rights violations in the country are "properly investigated," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterated Thursday in response to the unpublished report of a United Nations rapporteur on the state of human rights defenders in the Philippines.
Michael Forst, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs), launched his "world report" which provides a comprehensive analysis on the situation of HRDs in 140 countries.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato, in a statement issued to the media, said the DFA is currently seeking clarification on the nature of Forst's report to enable them "to respond more properly."
Cato asserted "the full commitment of the Philippine Government to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that human rights violations are properly investigated, including those allegedly committed by state actors, to make the perpetrators accountable."
The report is only available on Forst's website Protecting Defenders, as the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights "did not accept to publish it," the rapporteur himself said.
Several news sites picked up the report, which called on the Philippine government to end alleged violations against human rights defenders, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. (PNA)
