Philippines: President Duterte calls UN Human Rights Chief "empty-headed"
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has launched a foul-mouthed attack on the UN Human Rights Chief, calling him "empty-headed" in a row over international criticism of Philippines leader's deadly drug-war. "Look, you have a big empty head. There is no grey matter between your ears. It's hollow. It cannot even sustain a nutrient for your hair to grow because your hair is gone," Duterte said.
Last month, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, said Duterte needed "psychiatric evaluation" and that his verbal attacks on a UN's rapporteur who condemned his anti-drug crackdown could not go unanswered.
"Hey son of a whore, you commissioner, I need to go to a psychiatrist?" asked Duterte in late night speech yesterday. "The psychiatrist told me: You are okay, mayor. You are just fond of cursing," Duterte said, referring to his former title. Duterte added he had been advised to refrain from commenting on remarks of Jordanian Prince Zeid, but he wanted to "seek revenge".
Duterte, 73, has launched curse-laden tirades against world leaders, including former US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis. Duterte won a Presidential election in mid-2016 after promising to eradicate drugs in society within six months by killing tens-of-thousands of users and dealers. Philippine police said, they have killed roughly 4,100 suspects, but human rights groups allege the actual number is three times higher.
The International Criminal Court has launched a "preliminary examination" into killings in the anti-drug campaign. Zeid, who has criticised alleged extrajudicial killings in the drug war, last month said Duterte's remarks about a UN rapporteur seeking to investigate the matter were "absolutely disgraceful". Zeid last month also condemned Duterte's statement ordering troops to shoot female rebels in the vagina.
In yesterday's speech, Duterte defended the comments along with his war on drugs. "I am rude? I am really rude. There is nothing I can do about that. I kill people? Yes, I really kill...go ahead and do drugs there. I already told you to stop," Duterte said. Addressing human rights groups, Duterte said, "You are dreaming if you think you can jail me."
