Aquino 'fails to curb rights abuses by armed forces'

Manila: The government has failed to take significant measures to make state forces accountable for serious rights abuse, the New York-based watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

Ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva which is scheduled on May 29, HRW called on the government to honour its commitments before the world body.

"The administration of President Benigno Aquino III has failed to take significant measures to prosecute members of the military, police, and militias implicated in extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances," HRW said.

"UN member states should see through the Philippine government's rhetoric and question the lack of progress on accountability over the past four years," Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at HRW, said. This is the second time the Philippines will undergo the review.