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In UN speech, Rodrigo Duterte defends drug war and Philippines’ claims in South China Sea
- In first address to General Assembly, president lashes out at activist groups that have ‘weaponised human rights’ to discredit his government
- However, Duterte strikes conciliatory tone as he turns to coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged his country
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has a history of bashing the United Nations, so it was to be expected that his first address to its General Assembly would raise eyebrows.
Duterte did not disappoint on Tuesday as he defended his controversial drug crackdown, dismissed criticism from human rights advocates and underscored his country’s claims in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines will continue to protect the human rights of its people, especially from the scourge of illegal drugs, criminality and terrorism,” Duterte told the assembly in a pre-recorded message, complaining that “interest groups have weaponised human rights” to discredit his government.
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He expressed openness to “constructive engagement” with the UN, but only if there is “objectivity, non-interference, non-selectivity and genuine dialogue”.
Duterte, who took office in 2016, often lashes out at what he decries as international meddling in Philippine domestic affairs. Western governments and human rights groups see it as expressing justifiable alarm about an anti-drug crusade that has left more than 5,700 mostly poor suspects dead.
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While most of his predecessors have spoken during the General Assembly, Duterte’s address came after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged him to “bring to justice the perpetrators and to halt the use of rhetoric inciting violence against people who use or sell drugs”.
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