Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 13 June (HL8271), what assessment they have made of the assurances given by the Philippines Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs and the Philippines Ambassador in the light of continued reports of extra-judicial killings in the “war on illegal drugs”.

While noting the assurances given by the Government of the Philippines, the UK remains concerned about the continuing reported high death toll associated with the war on drugs. We continue to underline that actions to tackle drug abuse must be carried out in full respect of the rule of law and comply with international human rights obligations. The Philippines should uphold its commitments to the promotion and protection of human rights as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. At the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council, on 18 June, the UK urged the Philippines to ensure thorough investigations into all killings associated with the war on illegal drugs.