In its World Report 2020, the New York-based Human Rights Watch tagged President Rodrigo Duterte’s internationally condemned initiative as the Philippines’ “gravest” human rights concern in 2019. HRW said the impacts of the drug war include not only death but damage to the livelihoods, education and mental health of surviving family members. A recent Social Weather Stations survey found that 76% of Filipinos believe there are “many” human rights abuses committed under the government’s campaign. Upsurge in attacks vs activistsThe human rights watchdog also noted the rise of attacks against political activists, community leaders and human rights defenders. In 2019, the UNHRC adopted a resolution asking UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to prepare a “comprehensive” report on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

Source: Philippine Star January 15, 2020 07:18 UTC