UN office concerned over "extrajudicial killing" of suspected drug dealers in the Philippines

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows greatly concern over the reports of "extrajudicial killing" of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines, the office chief said on Wednesday in Vienna.

"I join the United Nations Secretary-General in condemning the apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms," Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNDOC said.

He noted such responses contravene the provisions of the international drug control conventions, do not serve the cause of justice, and will not help to ensure that "all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity", as agreed by governments in the outcome document approved at the UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem.

Fedotov told Xinhua in an interview before that when combating against the illicit drug, the drug policies should put people first so as to protect people from the drug abuse.

UNODC said it stands ready to further engage with the Philippines and all countries to bring drug traffickers to justice with the appropriate legal safeguards in line with international standards and norms, and promote prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration approaches based on evidence, science, public health and human rights.

UNODC supports balanced, people-centred, evidence- and rights-based approaches to drug control, rooted in the agreed international conventions and standards. Endit