Ban disturbed by remarks made by President-elect of the Philippines on extrajudicial killings

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he was extremely disturbed by recent remarks made by the President-elect of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, regarding extrajudicial killings.

“I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms. Such comments are of particular concern in light of ongoing impunity for serious cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines,” Mr. Ban

said at the annual reception of the UN Correspondents Association.

“I will also continue to stand up for the rights of journalists and their defenders to be represented here at the United Nations,” he added.

The Secretary-General also said he has expressed his disappointment that the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) voted to deny the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

“I will continue to defend the rights of journalists and to do everything possible, publicly and privately, to ensure that journalists have the freedom to work,” Mr. Ban said.

“I am pleased to say that our efforts behind the scenes to free detained journalists have had some success, although we cannot speak publicly about specific cases,” he added.

Thanking the Correspondents Association for everything it has done, Mr. Ban said he looked forward to taking their questions at a press stakeout.

“I am looking forward to it, because I have always valued the work you do. Put simply, we couldn't succeed without you,” he said.