BBC:
The International Criminal Court is holding a hearing to determine whether former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte should stand trial for crimes against humanity committed during his bloody “war on drugs”.
The campaign, which Duterte waged as a city mayor and then throughout his six-year presidency, saw the extrajudicial killings of tens of thousands of alleged dealers, users and others, human rights groups say. ICC prosecutors allege he was involved in at least 76 murders and have charged him with three counts of crimes against humanity.
Duterte, 80, drew international condemnation over the campaign, but was unfazed, at one point saying he’d be “happy to slaughter” millions of “drug addicts” who he said were destroying the country.
“Duterte’s so-called war on drugs resulted in the killings of thousands of civilians and many of these victims were children,” prosecutor Mame Niang told the judges on Monday, calling for Duterte to be held to account. The proceedings were “a reminder that those in power are not above the law”, he said.
Duterte waived his right to be present in the courtroom, saying he does not recognise the ICC’s authority. He maintains his innocence, his lawyer said.
The hearing will be held over four days, after which ICC judges must decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial.
