Former Philippine President Duterte Appears Before ICC in The Hague

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will appear before the ICC amid murder charges linked to his war on drugs. He is the first Asian leader arrested under an ICC warrant, facing serious accusations of crimes against humanity following investigations that reveal conflicting death toll estimates ranging from over 6,000 to 30,000.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to appear before judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Friday. This marks his first appearance following his recent arrest in Manila, where he faces murder charges related to the controversial “war on drugs” that characterized his presidency. At the age of 79, Duterte becomes the first former Asian leader to be arrested under an ICC warrant.

During this court session, Duterte will receive a formal reading of his rights and be informed of the crimes against humanity charges that the ICC prosecutors have lodged against him, post a thorough investigation. The death toll during Duterte’s administration is subject to significant debate, with figures ranging from the national police’s over 6,000 reported fatalities to estimates as high as 30,000 reported by human rights organizations.

Rodrigo Duterte’s upcoming ICC appearance represents a significant development in international justice, marking the first instance of an Asian former leader facing such charges. This situation underscores the ongoing impacts of his controversial drug policies, especially as the death toll estimates highlight the severity of human rights concerns during his administration.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com