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<p>The UK is fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, and
reports of human rights abuses in the Philippines remain troubling. We are concerned
by the high death toll associated with the 'war on drugs', the situation of land rights
and human rights defenders, developments on media freedom, and moves to reintroduce
the death penalty.</p><p>Our Embassy in Manila has made these concerns clear with
senior officials and government figures and it is in regular contact with human rights
groups and relevant UN bodies on a range of human rights issues. We also work closely
with the wider international community, including our EU partners, to press for investigations
into instances of abuse and to encourage the protection of human rights defenders.</p><p>I
raised these issues with a number of Philippine Ministers during my trip to Manila
in August 2018 and with the Philippine Ambassador in April 2018. In the UK item 2
statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 11 September 2018, we urged the Philippines
to investigate killings associated with the "war on drugs" and to ensure
the safety of Land Rights defenders.</p>
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