© ICC-CPI
- The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organisation Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) welcome the historic arrest and transfer of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Duterte, the first Asian head of state to be transferred to the Court, made his first appearance before the ICC today, in The Hague. He is suspected of committing murder, torture, and rape as crimes against humanity as an indirect co-perpetrator. During the hearing, ICC judges ensured that Duterte understood his rights, and charges he will face at the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for 23 September 2025.
- This case shows that when there is political will and state cooperation, justice moves fast, even with a non-ICC State Party like the Philippines.
Paris, The Hague, March 14 Today, FIDH and its member organisation PAHRA applaud the transfer of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC, as he made his first appearance before the Court - a significant step towards accountability for alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines. Duterte’s brutal "war on drugs" campaign claimed thousands of lives, mostly from poor, urban communities, many of whom were killed in police operations or vigilante attacks, often in public spaces.
The ICC Prosecution alleges that, to facilitate killings, perpetrators also committed rape and torture to force targets to "confess" to their suspected drug crimes. Duterte will face these allegations of crimes against humanity at the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for 23 September 2025, where ICC judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial for each of the charges. Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019, the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.
For too long, victims and survivors in the Philippines have waited for justice. For PAHRA Secretary-General Edgardo "Egay" Cabalitan, "Duterte’s arrest is a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for "drug war" victims and their families, after being abandoned by the Philippines’ justice system, which has failed to hold perpetrators accountable. Most have never had their day in court, with no proper investigations nor official acknowledgment of wrongdoing, and an ICC trial would finally bring formal recognition of their suffering. This moment is significant for victims in the Philippines, and for all those still waiting for justice around the world".
Philippine authorities have acted decisively by cooperating with the Court
At a time when the ICC faces multiple critical threats, including United States (US) sanctions, calls to defund it and block investigations, espionage attempts, cyberattacks, and the issuance of arrest warrants against the Court’s officials, Duterte’s appearance before the ICC sends a powerful message about the Court’s legitimacy and ability to hold leaders accountable.
This transfer also enables the ICC to fulfill its mandate amid growing scrutiny over the lack of upcoming trials and empty courtrooms. Despite more than 30 outstanding public arrest warrants, ICC States Parties have repeatedly failed to cooperate with the Court on arrests and surrenders. Nearly two months after Italy, an ICC State Party, failed to surrender a suspect, Philippine authorities have acted decisively by cooperating with the Court, demonstrating that accountability is possible when there is political will, and this despite having withdrawn from the Rome Statute.
Today’s hearing shows that international justice can be swift when political conditions and state cooperation align. Duterte’s surrender signals that he is no longer beyond the reach of justice.
According to Guissou Jahangiri, FIDH Secretary General, "the case against Duterte is significant not only for victims of his alleged crimes but also for international justice. It reinforces the ICC’s core mission: holding even the most powerful accountable. As the Court issues arrest warrants for multiple heads of state, Duterte’s appearance is a stark reminder that no one is above the law. The message to other leaders is clear: you may feel protected today, but accountability will come. No one enjoys impunity forever."
Welcoming Duterte’s transfer to the ICC as a crucial move toward ending impunity for core international crimes, FIDH and PAHRA urge the Philippines to rejoin the ICC as a clear demonstration of its commitment to international justice. They call on the Philippines to meaningfully investigate and seek accountability for crimes committed by other perpetrators of the drug war’s atrocities, including police officers and officials who executed or sanctioned the killings, whether through domestic accountability processes or further cooperation with the ICC.
