International Criminal Court deadline to submit evidence concerning human rights abuses during the Philippines’ drug war arrives

Noel Celis Getty — Photo: Noel Celis/Getty

Families of victims have until today to submit evidence to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation of human rights abuses committed during the Philippine drug war.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war has led to unrestrained extra-judicial killings and abuses of power which the ICC has declared rise to crimes against humanity. The ICC’s investigation began in 2019, but the drug war has continued, resulting in nearly 6,200 deaths and 300,000 arrests mainly targeting addicts and low-level street dealers. Despite the inhumane interdiction strategies “drug supply is still rampant”, as noted by the current head of the drug enforcement.

Expect yet more evidence of human rights abuses to be submitted to the ICC today as families of victims continue to search for justice. Duterte, attempting to escape the ICC’s grasp, withdrew from the body when it began its investigation; however, last month the Philippines’ Supreme Court ruled that Duterte is still criminally liable for acts committed from 2016-2019, before he withdrew.

Duterte could still escape criminal charges. Although his tenure as President is ending, his daughter Sara will now run for President with her father as Vice President. If successful, his daughter could save him from criminal prosecution.

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Bilal Rahmani

Bilal is the Director of Training and Development. He holds a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University where he extensively researched the US war in Afghanistan. Previously, Bilal has worked independently throughout mainland China as a teacher and as a domestic political communications fellow with Murmuration.