Philippines 2023-12-12

2023-12-12

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
The MP notes the recent release of Leila De Lima on bail after nearly seven years in detention. This follows vocal opposition to extrajudicial killings under Duterte's war on drugs.
Whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the Philippines on the case of Leila De Lima. I agree that it is good news that Senator De Lima has been released on bail after nearly seven years of detention. What representations are the Government making to their counterparts in the Philippines, via the ambassador, about resolving all the other charges against her, which are believed to stem from her vocal opposition to thousands of extrajudicial killings in connection with former President Duterte's war on drugs, and about a meaningful investigation into those killings?
The UK Government regularly engage with the Government of the Philippines on the full range of our human rights concerns. We welcomed the 2020 UN Human Rights Council resolution, which proposed technical co-operation on human rights between the Government of the Philippines and the United Nations. The resolution resulted in a three-year UN joint programme, which commenced in 2021, to which the UK has contributed £400,000. We will continue to work alongside them.
Assessment & feedback
Specific representations about resolving charges against Leila De Lima and investigating extrajudicial killings were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
The MP notes the recent release of Leila De Lima on bail after nearly seven years in detention. This follows vocal opposition to extrajudicial killings under Duterte's war on drugs.
Whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the Philippines on the case of Leila De Lima. I agree that it is good news that Senator De Lima has been released on bail after nearly seven years of detention. What representations are the Government making to their counterparts in the Philippines, via the ambassador, about resolving all the other charges against her, which are believed to stem from her vocal opposition to thousands of extrajudicial killings in connection with former President Duterte's war on drugs, and about a meaningful investigation into those killings?
The UK Government regularly engage with the Government of the Philippines on the full range of our human rights concerns. We welcomed the 2020 UN Human Rights Council resolution, which proposed technical co-operation on human rights between the Government of the Philippines and the United Nations. The resolution resulted in a three-year UN joint programme, which commenced in 2021, to which the UK has contributed £400,000. We will continue to work alongside them.
Assessment & feedback
Specific representations about resolving charges against Leila De Lima and investigating extrajudicial killings were not detailed
Response accuracy