Duterte ICC arrest significant for international law – Callamard

Metro Manila, Philippines – The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte is significant not only for the Philippines but also for the international community as international law faces challenges, said former United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard.

In an interview on ‘The Newsmaker’ on NewsWatch Plus, Callamard described Duterte’s turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a “significant” moment for victims of the drug war and those who fought to bring justice for the thousands killed.

"It's very significant. It was a moment where I recalled all the victims who testified to me. I recalled all the lawyers who put together painstakingly brutal cases of killings. I recalled the civil society organization. I recalled you, the journalist, the photojournalist, who did a fantastic, amazing work ensuring that the killings did not disappear off the international agenda. It was a moment, but it was also a very sad moment because you remember everything and you remember all those who have lost their loved ones," she said.

Callamard, who is now secretary general of Amnesty International, said the arrest has global implications.

"The arrest of President Duterte is important for the world. It's of course important for the Philippines, but I've just told you how bad the situation is around the world where the most powerful leaders are deliberately suggesting that there is no international standard, that there is no international law," she added.

She also called the development a “day of reckoning” for human rights groups that closely monitored Duterte’s drug war.

"It is a moment of reckoning. It is a moment where all our efforts are finally paying off. It does mean that the work that we do, the monitoring, the recording, the report writing, and you know, all associated with it, has power," she said.

Duterte was “surrendered” to ICC custody following an arrest warrant issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I for crimes against humanity for murder.

The ICC investigation covers Duterte’s alleged role in extrajudicial killings linked to the so-called Davao Death Squad, which began during his term as Davao City mayor and continued into the early years of his presidency.