The COVID-19 situation has taken the world by storm. But that’s not the only thing that’s happened.
Who would’ve thought that a global pandemic would result in people physically fighting over toilet paper?
And now those who aren’t staying home as ordered are being stuffed into dog cages.
People Who Didn’t Stay Home in The Philippines Put in Dog Cages; Slammed by Human Rights Watch Group
Those who have failed to adhere to quarantine rules in the Philippines are allegedly being abused and subject to “cruel” treatment, according to Human Rights Watch.
They claim that five men were arrested for breaching quarantine rules and placed into a dog cage.
Lest you’re unaware, Philippine’s main island, Luzon, where half the country’s population live has been undergoing a month-long “enhanced community” lockdown to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
These measures include prohibiting mass gatherings, suspending travel to and from Luzon and ordering that all nonessential shops be closed.
Hundreds Arrested For Violating Curfew
It’s expected that some would be stubborn and flout the laws.
In Manila and other parts of the country, it’s no different has the police have reportedly arrested hundreds of people for violating curfew and social distancing regulations.
But what’s unexpected is the way those who are detained have been treated.
One particular image stunned the online community. In it, five men were squished in a crowded cage while the authorities watched over them.
Human Rights Watched said that the officers who did the arrest defended their actions and claimed that the men had violated curfew and had been verbally abusive.
Hmm, but that does that warrant being trapped in a dog cage?
Others Abused In Other Ways
Others who had reportedly violated curfew were made to sit under the hot midday sun after they were arrested.
“Police and local officials should respect the rights of those they arrest for violating curfew and other public health regulations, which can be done while still allowing the Philippines government to take appropriate measures to combat Covid-19,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
“Any mistreatment should be immediately investigated, and the authorities responsible held accountable.”
However, Philippine’s containment measures will only become stricter after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a new bill on Wednesday that will grant his administration further emergency powers in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
Counter-Productive If Offenders Placed Into Crowded Detention Centres
The worrying thing is that those who flout rules would ironically be placed into crowded detention centres where the virus could spread even more easily.
This comes as the government seeks to impose even stricter measures on those who violate curfew.
Human Rights Watch said that in accordance with international human rights law, restrictions like mandatory quarantine or isolation of symptomatic people must remain respectful of “human dignity”.
“While the Philippines government needs to protect the health and welfare of the people, any interventions must be in line with international human rights standard, including the prohibition against cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of people in custody,” Mr Robertson said.
It’s never right to treat people in such an inhumane way, even if they’re found to breach quarantine laws. Let’s hope that they put a stop to stuffing detainees into dog cages.
