Appeals Court to Rule on Duterte’s Possible Release Today
UPDATE: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to announce a crucial decision today regarding the potential release of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from custody. Appeals judges will rule on a request to free Duterte while ongoing proceedings address serious charges of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs.
The ruling is expected on Friday, October 20, 2023, and it could have significant implications for the ICC’s pursuit of justice. Duterte’s legal team is challenging an earlier ruling that determined he likely would not return for trial and could intimidate witnesses if released. This decision follows a tumultuous history of alleged abuses during Duterte’s presidency, with estimates of the death toll ranging from 6,000 to as high as 30,000 victims.
According to ICC prosecutors, Duterte is accused of authorizing violent acts, including murder, against alleged criminals during his tenure as mayor of Davao and later as president. The appeals court’s decision comes after a September postponement of a pretrial hearing, pending a full medical assessment of Duterte’s health, with lawyers arguing he is “infirm and debilitated.”
If released, Duterte would not return to the Philippines but would be transferred to another member state’s custody while proceedings continue. This move reflects ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC, especially after Duterte’s administration attempted to suspend the court’s investigation, claiming local authorities were already addressing the allegations.
In a previous ruling, judges emphasized that nations cannot use their right to withdraw from the Rome Statute to shield individuals from justice in ongoing cases. The ICC had opened a preliminary investigation into the violence during Duterte’s regime back in February 2018, just a month before he announced the Philippines would exit the court.
The implications of today’s ruling are profound, not only for Duterte but for the broader fight against impunity for alleged human rights violations. Families of victims have expressed hope for justice, marking Duterte’s arrest in March as a significant step forward.
As the world awaits the court’s decision, all eyes are on The Hague. Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops.
