Philippines' 'War on Drugs' Exposed: Duterte's Crimes Against Humanity Trial at ICC
Original framing: “Philippine ex-president Duterte’s ICC trial to start on November 30” — South China Morning Post
The 'war on drugs' campaign in the Philippines has its roots in the US-backed Marcos regime's counterinsurgency efforts, which laid the groundwork for Duterte's violent policies.
The ICC trial of Rodrigo Duterte offers a chance to examine the systemic failure of international institutions to hold leaders accountable for human rights abuses.
The trial's focus on Duterte's 'war on drugs' campaign obscures the broader structural issues driving violence and impunity in the Philippines. To address this crisis, it is essential to center indigenous perspectives on justice and human rights, prioritize community-led initiatives, and implement structural reforms to address the root causes of violence and impunity. The trial also presents an opportunity to examine the long-term implications of the ICC's approach to justice and to foster international cooperation to address the global implications of the 'war on drugs' campaign in the Philippines.