DFA Releases

Statement on the Illegal Detention of UN Filipino Peacekeepers in the Golan Heights

Thursday, 07 March 2013 12:11
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7 March 2013

The Philippine Government strongly condemns the illegal detention of twenty-one (21) Filipino peacekeepers under the United Nations (UN) command in the Golan Heights.

“The apprehension and illegal detention of the Filipino peacekeepers are gross violations of international law,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario.

The Filipino peacekeepers are operating under the UN flag. Accordingly, these Filipinos are international personnel clothed with immunity and mantle of protection similar to diplomatic agents and personnel. These rights are inviolable and their transgression is punishable under international law.

Article 8 of the UN Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel provides that “if United Nations or associated personnel are captured or detained in the course of the performance of their duties and their identification has been established, they shall not be subjected to interrogation and they shall be promptly released and returned to United Nations or other appropriate authorities. Pending their release such personnel shall be treated in accordance with universally recognized standards of human rights and the principles and spirit of the Geneva Conventions of 1949.”

The Philippines is working very closely with the United Nations, United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), France and Germany for the early and safe release of the Filipino peacekeepers. END

 

Philippines Calls for Immediate and Safe Release of Filipino Peacekeepers

Thursday, 07 March 2013 10:39
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7 March 2013 – The  Philippine  Government  has  received  confirmation  from  the  United Nations  Department  of  Peacekeeping  Operations  that  21  Filipino peacekeepers  assigned  to  the  United  Nations  Disengagement  Observer Force  (UNDOF)  in  the  Golan  Heights  have  been  detained  by  an  armed group.

All Filipino peacekeepers are reported to be unharmed and that negotiations are underway to secure their safe release. The Government is likewise coordinating closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the matter.

The Philippine Government is calling for the immediate release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers who are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights.

“The main concern of the Philippine Government at this time is to ensure the safety and well-being of our peacekeepers. We wish to reiterate that UNDOF’s freedom of movement and safety and security must be respected by all parties in the area,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said. END

 
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