ICC agrees to open probe into Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’
Judges say Philippines president’s violent campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation
15 September 2021 - 23:58
byToby Sterling
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Amsterdam — Judges at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday approved a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the leadership of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in the context of his “war on drugs”.
The ICC said in a statement that judges had approved a request by prosecutors to begin the investigation into potential murder as a crime against humanity.
Judges’ assessment of material presented by prosecutors, was that “the so-called war on drugs campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation”, but rather amounted to a systematic attack on civilians.
Human rights groups accuse Duterte of inciting deadly violence and say police have murdered unarmed drug suspects on a massive scale as part of the campaign. Police deny this, and Duterte says the police are under orders to kill only in self-defence. The government in Manila could not immediately be reached for a reaction late on Wednesday.
Philippines rights group Karapatan said the court's comments “reaffirms the views of victims and their families”.
“Duterte and his cohorts should be made accountable for these crimes,” it said after the ICC decision.
In a July speech, Duterte lashed out at the court, saying he would continue his fight against drugs. “I have never denied (it), and the ICC can record it: Those who destroy my country — I will kill you,” he said.
Though the Philippines has withdrawn from membership of the ICC, it was a member between July 2016 and March 2019, the period covered by the prospective investigation.
The judges said that relevant crimes appeared to have continued after that date, but that the court was limited to investigating those suspected to have occurred while the Philippines was a member.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
ICC agrees to open probe into Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’
Judges say Philippines president’s violent campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation
Amsterdam — Judges at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday approved a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the leadership of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in the context of his “war on drugs”.
The ICC said in a statement that judges had approved a request by prosecutors to begin the investigation into potential murder as a crime against humanity.
Judges’ assessment of material presented by prosecutors, was that “the so-called war on drugs campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation”, but rather amounted to a systematic attack on civilians.
Human rights groups accuse Duterte of inciting deadly violence and say police have murdered unarmed drug suspects on a massive scale as part of the campaign. Police deny this, and Duterte says the police are under orders to kill only in self-defence. The government in Manila could not immediately be reached for a reaction late on Wednesday.
Philippines rights group Karapatan said the court's comments “reaffirms the views of victims and their families”.
“Duterte and his cohorts should be made accountable for these crimes,” it said after the ICC decision.
In a July speech, Duterte lashed out at the court, saying he would continue his fight against drugs. “I have never denied (it), and the ICC can record it: Those who destroy my country — I will kill you,” he said.
Though the Philippines has withdrawn from membership of the ICC, it was a member between July 2016 and March 2019, the period covered by the prospective investigation.
The judges said that relevant crimes appeared to have continued after that date, but that the court was limited to investigating those suspected to have occurred while the Philippines was a member.
Reuters
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