Remulla to meet with US senator on human rights

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JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is set to meet this week with US Senator Edward Markey to discuss human rights initiatives and policies of the Marcos administration.

A Democrat from Massachusetts, Markey was a strident critic of the human rights policies of the previous administration and was among the three lawmakers banned from entering the country in 2019 for criticizing the continued detention of then opposition senator Leila de Lima on drug-related charges.

The two other lawmakers also banned were Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin.

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“This week, Secretary Remulla is meeting with Sen. Markey from the US to talk about human rights initiatives and programs, among others,” DOJ acting spokesperson lawyer Mico Clavano said.

Markey, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Subcommittee, is a member of a bipartisan Congressional delegation trip to Asia that started last August 11.

Clavano issued the statement when asked if the DOJ will support a bill filed by House Deputy Minority Leader Bernadette Herrera proposing that personnel of the Commission on Human Rights accompany law enforcers in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations to ensure that human rights of the suspects are respected.

“It may be a good idea if CHR can ramp up their manpower. I am not sure if they have the resources to do that. In any case, the Secretary has given his assurance that the DOJ, on its own, will be transparent with the CHR,” Clavano added.

Earlier, Remulla said the DOJ is ready to share with the CHR all its data on the Duterte administration’s drug crackdown.

Remulla said he would allow the CHR better access to drug war data but did not elaborate.

Malacanang earlier thumbed down calls from some quarters for the country to rejoin the International Criminal Court. The Duterte administration withdrew from the ICC in 2019.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan last month asked for the reopening of the probe on the country’s drug war during the previous administration.

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