International church groups on Thursday, September 17, condemned the widespread killings and other human rights violations perpetrated under the culture of impunity in the Philippines.

In a statement, at least 20 groups warned that these abuses stem from the deadly rhetoric of President Rodrigo Duterte, and his government’s disdain for dissent.

“We are concerned that a general climate of impunity has been synergized with the Philippine President’s unabashed incitement to violence and regular calls for state forces to punish legitimate dissent by the citizenry,” the groups said.

Figures from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that there were 7,884 deaths in anti-drug operations in the country from July 1, 2016 to August 31, 2020. This does not include the thousands killed by still unidentified suspects, which human rights groups estimate to reach more than 27,000. (READ: The Impunity Series)

The groups also expressed concern over the new anti-terror law and the continued harassment of activists and human rights defenders. (READ: Duterte ushers in new level of danger for activists, human rights defenders)

“The worrisome heightening of human rights violations and intensifying curtailment of civil liberties are unduly facilitated by restrictions put upon democratic discourse, including legitimate assemblies to express grievances, in a civil space so severely shrunk,” they said.

The church groups called for an end to the killings and the observance of due process in the country.

“We stand with the Filipino citizenry in denouncing state impunity and the wanton display of violence and brutality by state forces,” they said.

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More killings feared if UN Human Rights Council fails to act vs impunity in PH

The church groups joined calls for the United Nations Human Rights Council to launch an independent investigation into rights abuses in the Philippines, as local mechanisms have produced little to no accountability.

The UNHRC is convening for its 45th session from September 14 to October 6. It is expected to include the Philippine situation in its agenda following the report of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet.

In July, Bachelet said that Duterte’s drug war was being carried out “without due regard for the rule of law, due process, and human rights.”

Read the full statement and signatories below:

– Rappler.com