APD | Malacanang Palace objects and condemns Iceland resolution

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, July 13 (APD) – Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the Office of the President objects and condemns the resolution of Iceland which was passed by 18 countries during the 41st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council due to “being based on false information and unverified facts and figures.”

In a statement released earlier today, Secretary Panelo said they question the propriety and validity of the resolution.

Mr. Panelo claims the voting was not decisive as only 18 countries out of the 47 member-countries voted for the resolution. Fourteen other countries objected while 15 others abstained.

“A simple majority would have been 24. This means that majority of the members are not really convinced of the resolution calling for the investigation of the so-called extra-judicial killings in our country,” Mr. Panelo said.

He claimed the other 17 countries were misled by Iceland, “which in turn was led astray by the continuing and relentless false news, published by a few biased media in the country and elsewhere.”

He further claimed the voting shows the resolution “did not get the unanimous approval of the member countries” as it failed to fain the approval of 29 other countries. It was reported fourteen members rejected the resolution while 15 others abstained.

Mr. Panelo who also acts as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel described the resolution as “grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan.” He added the same resolution “reeks of nauseating politics completely devoid of respect for the sovereignty of the country.”

He added the resolution “is bereft of the gruesome realities of the drug menace in the country.” He went on to say the resolution was offensive and insulting to the sensibilities of 81% of the population “who expressed satisfaction on the kind of forceful and effective governance.

Meanwhile, human rights groups hailed the latest resolution which was released yesterday by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)