In a society that the rule of the law should stand as a shield of justice, the extrajudicial killings are nowhere near that. These killings are done without rightful process, isn’t just a violation towards human rights, it is a clear sight that our justice system in the Philippines is broken.
When a person is executed without trial, it’s not just the individual’s life that is taken, it’s justice that dies alongside them. As a person that values freedom, my heart aches for my country where the right to freedom is not the top priority.
According to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, thousands of people around the world has been a victim toward extrajudicial killings. In some countries, these killings are related to the “war on drugs”
For instance, the Philippines, since the Duterte administration took over, thousands of Filipinos have been killed in police operations. Many of these deaths were never properly investigated. Families are left without justice, and fear spread over poor communities.
Extrajudicial killings are also reported in other countries such as, Mexico, where drug-related violence and corruption have led to many uninvestigated deaths. And Myanmar, where journalists and activists are targeted.
These killings violate International human rights law, which guarantee everyone to a fair and equal treatment. The citizens continue to call out these governments to stop these acts.
Every person deserves justice, no matter who they are. Killing a person without trial is not justice but a crime. To build a peaceful and fair society, governments should strengthen their justice systems and protect human rights, not destroy them.
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