MANILA, Philippines – US lawmakers conduct a hearing on Thursday, July 20, about the "human rights consequences" of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

The hearing is scheduled at 10 pm on Thursday in Manila (10 am Thursday in Washington DC).

It is set to be conducted by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress.

Congressmen James McGovern and Randy Hultgren, co-chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, will host the hearing on Wednesday.

Panelists include the following:

Ellecer Carlos, spokesperson, iDEFEND, Philippines

Matthew Wells, senior crisis advisor, Amnesty International

Phelim Kine, deputy director, Asia Division, Human Rights Watch

Hours before the hearing, Malacañang urged US lawmakers to consider "all sides" of the issue. "Insinuations and hasty judgements have no place in due process," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

The hearing comes after two US senators in May filed a bill restricting the export of certain weapons and equipment from the US to the Philippine National Police as a consequence of Duterte's anti-drug campaign.

Watch the hearing live on Rappler. – Rappler.com</s>The hearing is scheduled Thursday 10 pm (Manila time). Watch it live on Rappler.

MANILA, Philippines – US lawmakers conduct a hearing on Thursday, July 20, about the "human rights consequences" of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

The hearing is scheduled at 10 pm on Thursday in Manila (10 am Thursday in Washington DC).

It is set to be conducted by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress.

Congressmen James McGovern and Randy Hultgren, co-chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, will host the hearing on Wednesday.

Hours before the hearing, Malacañang urged US lawmakers to consider "all sides" of the issue. "Insinuations and hasty judgements have no place in due process," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

The hearing comes after two US senators in May filed a bill restricting the export of certain weapons and equipment from the US to the Philippine National Police as a consequence of Duterte's anti-drug campaign.</s>'I certainly believe, very strongly, that a man with the human rights record of President Duterte should not be invited to the White House,' a US lawmaker says

MANILA, Philippines – Two US lawmakers slammed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a hearing on Thursday, July 20, about alleged abuses in the war on drugs waged by the Philippine government.

US Congressman James McGovern, who represents the 2nd district of Massachusetts, vowed to "lead the protest" in case Duterte comes to visit the White House.

Also "troubled" by Duterte's invitation to the White House, US Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California's 14th district said Duterte's "abuses" should be condemned by US President Donald Trump and the US Congress.

McGovern and Speier spoke at a hearing conducted by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress in Washington DC on Thursday.

McGovern is co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, along with Congressman Randy Hultgren of the 14th district of Illinois, who also hosted Thursday's hearing.

"President Duterte, by all accounts, seems to not have a high regard for human rights," McGovern said.

"And I certainly believe, very strongly, that a man with the human rights record of President Duterte should not be invited to the White House. And if he comes, I will lead the protest because, again, we ought to be on the side of advocating for human rights, not explaining them away," McGovern said.

McGovern pointed out that the "explosion of killings" over the past year, and Duterte's statements "inciting and justifying" these murders, "have rightly drawn attention and indignation."

"The United States government cannot afford any degree of complicity with the kinds of human rights violations that are occurring," he said.

"No other country – I repeat that, 'no other country' – comes to mind where people are assassinated on the streets in the name of fighting drugs, and leaders brag about it as a good thing," he added.

In her own remarks, Speier mentioned that her district is home to the largest Filipino community in the continental US.

Speier said she has heard "increasing concerns" from her constituents "appalled" by alleged human rights violations in the Philippines.

Speier then hit US President Donald Trump for inviting Duterte to the White House.

"Mr Duterte's murderous extrajudicial campaign has drawn condemnation from around the world – except from President Trump, who has had a 'very friendly' conversation with the man who once said, 'I don't care about human rights,' and who called President Obama a 'son of a whore' for speaking out against atrocities President Duterte has committed against his own people," she said.

"We need to call this deranged policy out for its state-sanctioned vigilantism that contravenes the rule of law and damages the international standing of the Philippines," Speier said.

While saying she is proud to have the Philippines as one of the US' closest allies, she is also "deeply concerned that this great country is falling prey to bloody demagoguery."

"President Duterte's campaign of vigilantism and extrajudicial execution is unacceptable in a modern society," Speier said.

"It is critical that both Congress and the President condemn President Duterte's unacceptable human rights abuses in the strongest possible terms and to take concrete action to ensure that the United States is not enabling these practices," she added.

In the same hearing, Hultgren pointed out that the Philippines "is a valuable ally of the United States and is the largest recipient of United States' assistance in East Asia."

"For this reason, it is paramount that human rights violations are not an unintended consequence of the war on drugs," Hultgren said.

"Human rights are fundamental. Every person is born with dignity. As such, they should be afforded the protection and due process of the law," he added.

McGovern, Speier, and Hultgren took turns speaking in Thursday's hearing, while the following 3 panelists testified before them:

Hours before the hearing on Thursday, Malacañang urged US lawmakers to consider "all sides" of the issue. "Insinuations and hasty judgements have no place in due process," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

The hearing comes after two US senators in May filed a bill restricting the export of certain weapons and equipment from the US to the Philippine National Police as a consequence of Duterte's anti-drug campaign.

Duterte has said he detests US officials who supposedly interfere in his anti-drug campaign, even as he is warming relations with Trump, whom he calls a "deep thinker." – Rappler.com</s>'It is paramount that human rights violations are not an unintended consequence of the war on drugs,' US Congressman Randy Hultgren says

MANILA, Philippines – US lawmakers conducted a hearing on Thursday, July 20, about alleged abuses in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

The hearing was conducted by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress, co-chaired by US Congressmen James McGovern and Randy Hultgren.

In his opening remarks, Hultgren pointed out that the Philippines "is a valuable ally of the United States and is the largest recipient of United States' assistance in East Asia."

"For this reason, it is paramount that human rights violations are not an unintended consequence of the war on drugs," Hultgren said.

"Human rights are fundamental. Every person is born with dignity. As such, they should be afforded the protection and due process of the law," he added.

The hearing began at 10:00 am in Washington DC, or 10:00 pm Manila.

Hours before the hearing on Thursday, Malacañang urged US lawmakers to consider "all sides" of the issue. "Insinuations and hasty judgements have no place in due process," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

The hearing comes after two US senators in May filed a bill restricting the export of certain weapons and equipment from the US to the Philippine National Police as a consequence of Duterte's anti-drug campaign. – Rappler.com</s>Heal Zimbabwe recorded a total of 28 human rights violations from 18 districts from the 27th of June to the 7th of July 2017. The organisation recorded human rights violations that fall into 6 categories that include intimidation with threats of violence , threats of withdrawal of food aid or agricultural inputs, forced participation (in political meetings, Financial or material contributions), unfair food aid distribution, arson and assault. Cases of intimidation in local communities are on a rise recording 57.1% (16 cases) compared to the previous week where 48% was recorded (13 cases). Forced participation or contribution in political party activities seconds the list of the most violations recording 25% (7 cases), followed by unfair distribution of food aid recorded at 7.1% (2 cases). Arson, assault and threats of withdrawal of food aid recorded 3.6% each (3 cases).

Heal Zimbabwe observed that both intimidation and forced participation or contributions top the list of human rights violations recorded in the past week. This is a testament of the state of the political environment in most rural communities as the nation approaches the 2018 elections. Such flashes of human rights violations is an indication of more violations to come as the plebiscite draws closer. Most cases of intimidation were recorded in Chiwundura Constituency which conducted a by election on 15 July amid little competition from the opposition parties.

The above distribution of violations indicate that 18 districts recorded at least one case of human rights violations during the period under review. Intimidation recorded a total of 16 cases from 12 Districts save for Gokwe South, Chegutu, Zvimba and Bindura. Forced contributions registered a total of 7 cases which were recorded in Gutu, Chiwundura, Bindura, Muzarabani, Gokwe South and Nyanga. Heal Zimbabwe also noted that 99% of the violations were largely committed by people who identified themselves as ZANU PF activists and sympathisers who include ZANU PF ward chairpersons, war veterans, local councillors, village heads and youths. Heal Zimbabwe observes that the recurrence of intimidation in local communities is an early warning indicator of possible violence ahead of the 2018 elections. The organisation is concerned with the rise in cases of both covert and overt violence cases in recent weeks. Violence as usual compromises communities’ free participation in civic and other democratic processes such as elections.

Heal Zimbabwe observed that intimidation continue topping the list followed by forced participation in political gatherings. The absence of a genuine national healing, reconciliation and justice process continue to promote lawlessness and a vicious cycle of violence. There is a deliberate strategy by perpetrators of political violence to continue with the ‘Harvest of Fear’ making reference to past epochs of violence leading to many people shunning away from democratic processes. Heal Zimbabwe continues to call upon political parties to campaign peacefully and respect divergent views. The organisation further urges political parties to embrace and adopt the organisation’s National Peace Campaign for peaceful 2018 elections running under the theme 13 Million Voices For Peace. Heal Zimbabwe will continuously monitor the environment with an aim of swiftly responding to needs of victims/survivors of violence.

Please find attached a detail report of the violations.

NB: Heal Zimbabwe is currently operating a 24hr early warning and early response system ahead of the 2018 elections. Please feel free to report any cases of human rights violations on the following numbers: +263 785 699 910, +263 779 449 071</s>'We trust that the [Filipino] people understand that they are really getting the better side of this deal,' says Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang dismissed concerns voiced by American lawmakers during a United States Congress hearing on the Duterte administration's drug war, saying the real judge of its success or failure is the Filipino people.

"As the President would say, the real judge of the actions of the administration would be not so much these opinions, but people actually, the people of the Philippines, the citizens here who find that... it’s safer in the streets, the crime index has dropped," said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Friday, July 21.

He was speaking at a Palace news briefing hours after the end of the public hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Washington DC.

During the hearing, two lawmakers – Congressman James McGovern, who represents the 2nd district of Massachusetts, and Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California's 14th district – slammed Duterte's drug war.

But Abella, without addressing the concerns of the lawmakers, said only Filipinos who have given Duterte their support can make a fair assessment of his anti-drugs campaign.

"The real judge of the situation would be the people who have given him overwhelming support and overwhelming approval," said Abella.

Duterte's spokesman is confident that Filipinos know they are reaping the benefits of the fight against illegal drugs.

"We trust that the people understand that they are really getting the better side of this deal," said Abella.

He reiterated a previous statement asking for US lawmakers and other critics of the administration to "listen to both sides of the story."

McGovern, co-chairperson of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said during the hearing that he would lead the protest against a White House invitation for Duterte.

"The United States government cannot afford any degree of complicity with the kinds of human rights violations that are occurring," he said.

Speier, meanwhile, hit Duterte for his "deranged policy" for addressing the spread of drugs.

"We need to call this deranged policy out for its state-sanctioned vigilantism that contravenes the rule of law and damages the international standing of the Philippines," she said.

The public hearing was attended by other lawmakers who took turns speaking after hearing the testimonies of 3 panelists: Ellecer Carlos, spokesperson of iDEFEND Philippines; Matthew Wells, senior crisis advisor of Amnesty International; and Phelim Kine, deputy director for Asia of Human Rights Watch. – Rappler.com
A hearing in the U.S. Senate is held about alleged human rights violations in the Philippines's war against illegal drugs.