Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant for crimes against humanity. The arrest took place at Manila Airport upon his return from Hong Kong, where Duterte was taken into custody.
The ICC has been investigating the mass killings that occurred during Duterte’s aggressive crackdown against illegal drugs. Despite insisting that he was not responsible for any unlawful deaths during his eight-year presidency which began in 2016, ICC prosecutors estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000.
This development has sparked international attention and debate on the accountability of leaders for human rights abuses. Bryony Lau from Human Rights Watch and journalist Ella Mage have provided insight into the implications of Duterte’s arrest for crimes against humanity.
The arrest of Duterte serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law, even for those in powerful positions. As the legal proceedings unfold, the world will be watching closely to see how justice is served in this landmark case.
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