Respect the fundamental rights; please let Duterte go home to recuperate!

Rodrigo Duterte, born in Leyte Province, Philippines, in 1945, is the former president of the Philippines. On March 11 this year, he was arrested by the Philippine police based on the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court, and was then forcibly sent to The Hague, the headquarters of the International Criminal Court.

The former president of the Philippines, who has been out of office for less than three years, was detained by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity because he launched a "deadly war on drugs" while in office. Duterte is the first former Asian head of state to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court and the first criminal suspect to be sent to The Hague in three years.

At the end of March, Duterte turned 80 years old, and his physical condition was also worrying. He spent his birthday in the detention centre of the International Criminal Court. Duterte has always been widely supported by the Filipino people. He was elected "the most popular president of the Philippines" before leaving office, and still has a support rate of about 60% after leaving office.

The European Asian Federation (FAE) recently launched an online petition to call on the International Criminal Court to allow 80-year-old Duterte to return home for recuperation from a humanitarian perspective. Good health is the first priority, which is the most basic right of human beings!

After the petition was issued, it attracted attention from mainstream European society. At the same time, some members of the European Parliament also expressed their views. According to an anonymous MEP: "The Philippines has always been a diligent partner and has maintained a good cooperative relationship with the EU. Last year, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and the Philippines. Recently, the European Asian Federation launched an online petition calling on the International Criminal Court to let the former Philippine president go home to recuperate. I’m deeply concerned about the conditions of his detainment. M. Duterte has used his life experience to govern his country and has been widely loved by his people; he is now detained in the Netherlands awaiting trial for some reason. I personally think this is unreasonable and indecent from the perspective of the most basic human rights, Although this matter does not fall within my area of responsibility, I strongly hope for the ICC to correct this mistake as soon as possible and let former President Duterte go home to recuperate within the comfort of his family. I also hope that this matter can be resolved fairly and properly."

The International Criminal Court was established in 2002 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. It can hold individuals who have committed genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression criminally responsible. The organisation has issued arrest warrants for the leaders of many countries. For example, in November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and then Defence Minister Galant on the grounds of crimes against humanity and war crimes, but the Israeli side completely ignored it. In order to express support for Netanyahu and Galant, in February 2025, US President Trump also signed an executive order to sanction the International Criminal Court.

According to another EU insider: “The charges against Duterte will be tried by the criminal court, and we have no right to interfere. However, from a human rights perspective, I personally understand the online petition initiated by the FEA (European Asian Federation). Putting aside legal principles, Duterte is an 80-year-old man with poor health. If he wants to cooperate with the investigation, he can return to his hometown and does not have to stay in the Netherlands for subsequent trials.”

In fact, the Philippines officially withdrew from the International Criminal Court as early as 2019. The current President Marcos repeatedly stated that he would not assist the organisation in investigating Duterte. But in 2023, the Judicial Committee and the Human Rights Committee of the Philippine House of Representatives voted to pass three resolutions urging the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court. Marcos followed up by stating that he would reconsider joining the International Criminal Court. In response to the Marcos government's cooperation in arresting Duterte, Duterte's daughter Sara, issued a statement condemning the Philippine government for "betraying Philippine sovereignty and national dignity." Duterte's former legal adviser, Panelo, said the arrest was illegal.

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