I can only extend sympathy to Mr. Yasay, whose palindromic name makes him unique among the "Leviathan"s subalterns, for being compelled by his position to go against personal conviction, I'm sure. But being forced to echo the line "We have not and we will never empower our law enforcement agents to shoot to kill individuals suspected of drug crimes....Extra judicial killings have no place in our society and in our criminal justice system" not only makes him perfectly fit what an ambassador is, "an honest man sent abroad to lie for the good of his nation", it also makes him a caricature for delegates conversant with what is happening in his nation. To these delegates, what he said is a direct contradiction to his Boss who not only empower his policemen but also exhort them to go after drug suspects without mercy.
I can envision Amb. Yasay fighting against himself in his solitude for being in such an enviable situation. He knows that asking the community of nations not to exert "undue interference" in its domestic affairs, valid a position it maybe, at an age when each nation is interconnected with one another, can be only be approached with extreme caution.
What should be made clear and beyond doubt to Mr. Yasay's compatriots is whether the UN, by reminding his country to exercise prudence and observe the value of human rights in its drive against illegal drugs, is exercising "undue interference" in its internal affairs or merely being concerned of its disastrous consequence on human families as borne by past and current human tragedies.
It must be remembered that the 1956 Hungarian uprising against Soviet domination created an influx of tens of thousands of "displaced people" in my neck of the woods alone. The term "boat people" is too recent to be forgotten by nations of the world saddled by taking in thousands of refugees in its aftermath. Syrian and Libyan refugees are dying crossing the Mediterranean in improvised craft trying to escape the brutal conflict in their homeland and hoping to find a land of peace in Europe or elsewhere.
In all these challenges, who undertakes the gigantic task of giving aid to these people? The UN, and Mr. Yasay, echoing the position of his master, says "leave us alone." But, in this day and age can there be an "island alone by itself?"
As in his master, Mr. Yasay is presenting to the world the subterfuge that the hope and aspirations for a better future for his people is the guiding factor in these killings rather than some hidden personal devious motivation unhindered by mental aberration. Besides, there must be a better alternative solution aside from killings to remedy a human problem. As a well-known columnist said, you cannot save a community by exterminating it.
Mr. Yasay better be reminded that as in man, a nation in interaction with other nations, must come with clean hands to be credible. His position in this regard, in obedience to the dictates of his master, falls short. Merci! (By: cogito728sum - DISQUS)
(Reply) Nagpaabiso sa Phl Gov't ang UN Rapporteur na darating sila dito sa bansa petsa 28 - 29 (Wed & Thur) ngayong linggo batay sa hamon ni PDigz sa kanila na magsagawa ang UN ng imbestigasyon re lumalalang EJKs sa Phl.
Hindi sukat akalain ni PDigz na papatulan ng UN ang hamon nitong mag-imbestiga sila.
So, biglang nagkaroon ng scheduled WORKING VISIT kuno ni PDigz sa Vietnam kung kelan nakatakdang paririto sa bansa ang UN Rapporteur, see?
Sige PDigz, magtago ka na kahit saang lupalop sa mundo mo gustuhin, nakakahiya ka, BU'SET kang talaga!!! (Leo Paras)
