Robredo Strikes Duterte for "Lying" on Human Rights

RIGHTS OF THE MAN. Vice President Leni Robredo says that the fight for human rights must be made relevant to Filipinos. Photo by Angie de Silva / Rappler

Manila, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo criticized President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, July 28 for opposing "human rights" to "human lives" in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) Robredo, a long-time human rights lawyer, said Duterte's statement was a "blatant falsity" and a "false and misleading dichotomy"

"We all know that even the most casual student will recognize this statement for what it is: a false and misleading dichotomy. It is obvious to anyone who wants to see clearly that the right to life is the only One of the most basic human rights: we fight for human rights precisely because we value human lives, "Robredo said.

Robredo expressed it at an event to reward Senator detained Lei Lima, also a human rights defender, with the liberal International Freedom Award. This comes after Duterte in his SONA on Monday, July 23, told critics, "Your concern is human rights.

In his Saturday speech, Robredo not only criticized Duterte but also challenged human rights defenders. To make human rights relevant, she said that they should learn to speak the language of "the man or the woman on the street".

"Beyond telling the truth to power, we must tell the truth to the heart of every Filipino. while waiting for the man or woman on the street to understand the language of those who have been studying and fighting for human rights for so long, "she said.

"We have to use their language. We must feel their fears and anger, we must understand their struggles and we must all speak with one voice, "added the vice president.

Robredo said that human rights should not remain a vague academic idea. Filipinos. Human rights, after all, "are their protector against tyranny", and are a way of ensuring "that they eat three meals a day and are able to send their children at school. "

BACKING OF LIMA. Vice President Leni Robredo (center) and former President Benigno Aquino III (left) wear the "5" sign of Senator Leila de Lima, detained. Photo by Angie de Silva / Rappler

She continued to call the government's anti-drug campaign a "battlefield" with "no end in sight." (READ: At least 33 killed daily in the Philippines since Duterte took office)

"We had a long history of bloody struggles in very dark times, and I refuse to believe that we suffered them for nothing" said Robredo. "We will take it away." – Rappler.com