UK joins global call vs killings in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The United Kingdom, addressing the Human Rights Council on Thursday, raised concern about the deaths amid the Duterte administration's war on drugs in the Philippines.

The latest to join the global call against the thousands of deaths in recent months, the UK also expressed disapproval for the plan to reinstate the death penalty in the Philippines.

READ: China backs Duterte's drug war

"We are concerned by the rising death toll associated with the war on drugs in the Philippines and plans to reinstate the death penalty," the UK's statement at the 33rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council read.

The UK also urged the Philippine government to respect "the rule of law, due legal process, and human rights."

"We hope that the Philippines will cooperate with the international human rights system to this effect," it added.

The United States, United Nations and the European Union had earlier expressed similar calls, but the comments were dismissed by President Rodrigo Duterte and his officials who asked international bodies not to meddle in domestic affairs.

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The UK's statement before the Human Rights Council also cited human rights problems in other countries, such as Bangladesh and Yemen while calling other governments to be more open to international assistance and political dialogue.

Duterte, meanwhile, urged Congress to revive capital punishment, saying it is a form of retribution rather than a deterrent.

In 2007, the United Nations approved a draft resolution for a universal ban on capital punishment. The resolution states that execution of criminals is a violation of human rights, with right to life as the most fundamental right. Pope Francis similarly called for a global abolition of death penalty.