Duterte Faces ICC Trial Over Alleged Human Rights Violations in Drug War

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign, following a confirmation by ICC judges on April 23, 2026.

The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed all three counts of murder as crimes against humanity against Duterte, finding substantial grounds to believe he played a key role in the killings of 76 people and the attempted murder of two others between November 2011 and March 2019. The court stated that the available evidence shows the existence of a common plan between Duterte and his co-perpetrators to kill alleged criminals, including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale, or production, through violent crimes including murder.

Prosecutors allege that Duterte created, funded, and armed death squads to kill suspected narcotics dealers and users during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022. The case covers 49 incidents of alleged murder and attempted murder involving 78 victims, including children, during the period when the ICC still had jurisdiction over the Philippines.

Duterte was arrested in the Philippines in 2025 and transferred to the ICC’s detention center in The Hague. He denies the charges, insisting he instructed police to kill only in self-defence during anti-drug operations.

The confirmation of charges means the case will proceed to trial, though it remains unclear whether Duterte will attend the proceedings. The ICC had previously rejected his appeal against the confirmation of charges, upholding the decision that there is sufficient evidence for the case to go forward.

Human rights groups have welcomed the development as a step toward accountability for the thousands of killings attributed to Duterte’s war on drugs. The court’s decision comes after years of legal proceedings and follows a preliminary examination that began in 2016, which Duterte responded to by withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC’s membership in 2019.