Email Barrage to Reject Harry Roque’s Nomination to the UN International Law Commission (ILC)

SIGN HERE: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/reject-harry-roques-nomination-to-un-ilc?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR3LleWO4xL6ZFrG-uHtJw6AdWsrssc0FDjRUi_IvvfDJwkNrkD9TxkS6hU

We have an urgent action request: Harry Roque, official presidential spokesperson of Rodrigo Duterte, is one of 11 nominees from the Asia-Pacific region to be elected as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC). We need your support to block his nomination, as his election would probably mean the future dismissal of grave human rights cases against international fascist criminals like Duterte and many others (including multi-national corporations) who may come before the UN International Criminal Court (ICC) and UN Human Rights Council (HRC).

The UN International Law Commission is a body of experts responsible for helping develop and codify international law. It is composed of 34 individuals recognized for their expertise and qualifications in international law, who are elected by the United Nations General Assembly every five years.The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) in the Philippines objected to Roque’s bid for the ILC post, stating Roque “has publicly rationalized extrajudicial killings in the so-called War on Drugs, humored his principal’s misogynist remarks, enabled political repression including weaponization of the law, scowled against legitimate criticism and dissent, intimidated members of media, berated and insulted health professionals critical of failed pandemic measures, undermined international accountability bodies like the International Criminal Court and the UN Human Rights Council…”

In his capacity as the presidential spokesperson, Roque has steadfastly defended the Duterte administration’s excessive and militarized lockdowns instead of proven public health measures to address the COVID pandemic; weaponization of the government bureaucracy to wage a campaign of repression against political opponents and activists; and labeling of indigenous people, journalists, lawyers, health providers, students, clergy and anyone expressing dissent as “terrorists.” While these egregious actions have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, Roque has not only defended them, but has gone so far as to twist the language of the law in an attempt to justify the implementation of such violent and corrupt policies.

The UN is set to vote on ILC candidates by November 12.
Take a moment to urge the UN General Assembly to reject Roque’s nomination by participating in this email barrage.

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