The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for the protection of witnesses after the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for the charge of crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court for the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during his time in office.
“We do stress the importance of protecting victims and witnesses and preventing reprisals and retributions of any kind,” OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday.
“As this important process moves forward, the families of those affected have shown great courage in pursuing justice over many years, and it is crucial that they are protected as this process moves forward,” she added.
The plane carrying Duterte departed the Philippines on Tuesday evening and is heading to The Hague in the Netherlands.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that when the former president arrived in Manila from Hong Kong, authorities served the warrant of arrest from the ICC against him.
Meanwhile, Shamdasani also noted that despite efforts to review cases of extrajudicial killing, only four have so far resulted in convictions.
“It is of course crucial to address such impunity,” she said.
The ICC has been investigating Duterte and other top officials of his administration for crimes against humanity over the alleged systematic drug war deaths in police operations.
These deaths reached around 6,000 based on police records, but human rights groups contend that the deaths were as much as 30,000, including vigilante killings.
In a June 2020 UN report, a “pattern” found in police reports suggests police officers planted evidence in anti-drug war operations.
Shamdasani also said, “It is essential that the next steps with respect to Mr. Duterte are undertaken in full accordance with the law, including applicable international human rights obligations of the Philippines.”
Once detained at the Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands the Pre-Trial Chamber will hold a hearing to confirm the identity of the suspect, ensure that the suspect understands the charges, and set a date to begin the confirmation of charges hearing.
According to the ICC, all detainees are entitled to apply for interim release pending trial. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
