Duterte's conditions for UN expert's visit still stand, says DFA | ABS-CBN

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Duterte's conditions for UN expert's visit still stand, says DFA

Duterte's conditions for UN expert's visit still stand, says DFA

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA - The Philippine government's conditions for the visit of United Nations Rapporteur Agnes Callamard still stand, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said Callamard's visit to the country will not push through "until and unless she agrees" to the conditions set by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"I think the conditions set by the President are still standing. Until and unless she agrees to these conditions, I don't think the visit will push through," he said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

"I think discussions are ongoing in Geneva and I think we reiterate the conditions set by the Philippine government," he added when asked if the Philippine government responded to her latest letter saying the conditions are not compatible with her mandate.

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Malacañang wanted the special rapporteur to agree to a public debate with President Rodrigo Duterte, an opportunity for Duterte to pose his own questions, and for Callamard to take an oath before answering questions from government officials and the President.

However, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions in December said the pre-conditions violate their code of conduct and procedures.

“The conditions imposed by the Government of the Philippines could contravene both the spirit and the letter of the code of conduct and are not in line with the working methods of Special Procedures,” she said.

Callamard sought an invitation from the government to look into alleged extra-judicial killings in the country arising from the Duterte administration's drug war.

The Philippine government in September formally sent an invitation to Callamard, who received it on October 24, but she also made several conditions for her visit.

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