Rodrigo Duterte Arrives in the Netherlands to Face Crimes Against Humanity Charges
Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in the Netherlands to face crimes against humanity charges related to his anti-drug campaign. He was arrested on an ICC warrant and is accused of overseeing thousands of deaths during his presidency. Human rights groups claim up to 30,000 people may have died, while police reports state over 6,000 fatalities are documented. The charges highlight serious allegations surrounding his actions in the Philippines.
Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, has arrived in the Netherlands to address charges related to his controversial anti-drug campaign. His flight touched down at Rotterdam airport shortly before 4 PM UK time. The 79-year-old was arrested on an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier this week, illustrating the gravity of the accusations against him.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that law enforcement apprehended Mr. Duterte upon his return from Hong Kong and subsequently transferred him to the ICC. The ICC began investigating allegations of mass killings associated with Duterte’s “war on drugs”, which he initiated during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and continued as the nation’s president from 2016 to 2022.
Human rights organizations estimate that approximately 30,000 individuals lost their lives in the drug crackdown during Duterte’s presidency, whereas Philippine police accounts suggest over 6,000 cases. The ICC’s warrant states that there are “reasonable grounds to believe that [Mr] Duterte is individually responsible for the crime against humanity of murder” during this period.
Rodrigo Duterte’s arrival in the Netherlands marks a significant development in the pursuit of accountability for alleged human rights violations during his presidency. With the ICC investigating mass killings linked to his anti-drug policies, the implications of these charges could have far-reaching consequences both for Duterte and for international human rights law.
Original Source: news.sky.com
