ICC Upholds Jurisdiction in Duterte Drug War Case The Hague, Netherlands — April 22, 2026 The International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber has upheld its jurisdiction over alleged crimes against humanity linked to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, rejecting his appeal and allowing proceedings to continue. The decision affirms an earlier ruling by the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber and addresses whether the ICC retains authority despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. Image is AI Generated Appeals Chamber Decision In its ruling, the Appeals Chamber dismissed all arguments raised by Duterte’s legal team, which contended that the ICC lost jurisdiction after the Philippines formally exited the treaty. Judges ruled that withdrawal does not affect cases already under consideration before the exit took effect. The chamber emphasized that interpreting the Rome Statute otherwise could allow states to avoid accountability by withdrawing...
ICC Upholds Jurisdiction in Duterte Drug War Case The Hague, Netherlands — April 22, 2026 The International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber has upheld its jurisdiction over alleged crimes against humanity linked to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, rejecting his appeal and allowing proceedings to continue. The decision affirms an earlier ruling by the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber and addresses whether the ICC retains authority despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. Image is AI Generated Appeals Chamber Decision In its ruling, the Appeals Chamber dismissed all arguments raised by Duterte’s legal team, which contended that the ICC lost jurisdiction after the Philippines formally exited the treaty. Judges ruled that withdrawal does not affect cases already under consideration before the exit took effect. The chamber emphasized that interpreting the Rome Statute otherwise could allow states to avoid accountability by withdrawing...