Duterte's tirade vs Callamard sends 'chilling effect' to rights defenders, says CHR

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Friday defended United Nations special rapporteur on summary executions Agnes Callamard, saying she was simply reminding the government to stop the bloody crackdown of drugs in the country.

“The recent statement from the highest official of the land sends a chilling effect not only to Callamard but also to human rights defenders who are just expressing their concerns over human rights violations related to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs,” CHR said in a statement.

The commission reiterated that it supports the government’s desire to combat drug addiction and alleged drug-related activities in the country, however it condemns authorities’ violations of human rights such as illegal arrests and extra-judicial killings.

READ: Pardon his French: Duterte curses at Callamard for comments on Kian case

Earlier this week, Duterte made expletive remarks in response to Callamard’s tweet urging the Philippine government to make the death of 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos the last casualty of the brutal war on illegal drugs.

The UN rapporteur, who has been critical of the government’s war on narcotics, described delos Santos’ death the “latest symbol of a massive, government-led human rights crisis.”

She also called on Duterte to stop all murders and investigate “unlawful deaths.”

“T*** i** niya, sabihin mo. Huwag niya akong takutin. P***** i** niya. G*** pala siya eh. Taga-saan ba ‘yang buang na ‘yan (Tell her son of a b****. She should not intimidate me. Son of a b****. She is a fool),” Duterte said Monday.

“Mangyayari nang mangyayari ‘yan. Eh sa lugar niya nangyayari, g*** ka pala (It can always happen. It also happens in her place. You are such a fool),” he added.

The president on Wednesday resumed his tirades at Callamard, challenging the UN officer to visit the Philippines to see the magnitude of drug problem for herself.

“Pumunta ka dito. Ayaw naman makipag-debate. Kasi kung makipag-debate ‘yan, in five questions, gawain kong t**** ‘yang buang na ‘yan (Come here. But she does not want to have a debate. In five questions, I will make that crazy look like a fool),” Duterte said.

Callamard, in a series of tweets Wednesday night, said an official visit to the country is “not a vehicle for entertainment, theatrics or politicking.”