NINE SPECIAL COMMITTEES and rapporteurs of the United Nations (UN) wrote to Rodrigo Duterte on June 29 to express their expert opinion and opposition to the Anti-Terror Bill (now the Anti-Terror Law). They said that the law violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The special rapporteurs particularly noted that the provisions of the law which violate the universal right against arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. They said that its definition of terrorism is too broad and vague. This directly contradicts claims by officials of the regime who said that the definition is “compliant” to international laws.

The UN officials also criticized provisions which give the executive branch authorities accorded to the courts, disregard due process, violate the right to privacy, and put arbitrary limitations to humanitarian activities suspected of aiding “terrorists.”