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“While interim release mechanisms serve important human rights purposes, they must not supersede ensuring accountability of individuals accused of very serious crimes against humanity.”
“Age and health, while relevant, cannot outweigh the rights of victims to see the process of justice carried to its end. The facilities of the ICC, the conditions of which are vastly superior to those in Philippine prisons, can guarantee the humane treatment of Duterte while he is detained."
Since Duterte’s arrest on March 11, families of the victims seem to have been laughing more lately–in between tears. For them, Duterte’s arrest brought mixed emotions. They are happy that he is finally arrested but also restless of the thought that he might still get out and other perpetrators are not yet held accountable.
"My wish is for Duterte to be convicted. I pray that God grants him long life so he can be held accountable for all the killings he ordered. This way, we can achieve justice. He can grow old in that place."
“This long-awaited development marks a significant victory for the thousands of victims of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs and their families as well as the repression and brutal killings of activists and civilian communities, who have relentlessly fought for justice despite threats, intimidation, and state repression.”
Chanting calls for accountability, human rights activists marched from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the Scheveningen Prison, demanding justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, March 18.
Kristina Conti has never seen being a lawyer as a glamorous job recalling how her mother was paid in the form of bananas, fish, and other trinkets. And although she now also stands as the 5th nominee for Bayan Muna Partylist, she said that she has no expectations to become a lawmaker.
“Online bashers have clearly demonstrated the continuing threat of a Duterte ‘hate’ network to families-victims as well as to witnesses of drug war killings."
The reason why Duterte withdrew from the ICC is to evade accountability. Now that he is in ICC’s custody, it is only right that the Philippines rejoin (ICC) for justice and accountability which is the long time call of the families of the victims of rights violations under the Duterte administration."
Activists demand accountability for Duterte's war on drugs, calling for conviction and justice for victims of extrajudicial killings.
Youth groups held Black Friday protest action outside Miriam College along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City on Friday, March 14 in, supporting ICC’s arrest of Duterte and demanding justice for all victims of human rights violations. Sectoral and progressive groups joined the protest carrying their specific calls amidst Duterte arrest.
he International Criminal Court (ICC) said that Rodrigo Duterte's rights as an accused have been upheld, contrary to the claims by the former president's counsel Salvador Medialdea.
"The arrest is something, a message to the leaders that impunity is not forever."
UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor and Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard have emphasized the importance of this moment for the victims of Duterte's controversial "war on drugs," calling for further accountability and legal action. As Duterte prepares for his initial hearing on March 14, the international community has urged continued efforts to address ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines.
“We will not be swayed. Our loved ones were killed, mercilessly desecrated and it was inhumane. Until now, the situation of the victims’ families is still not good,” Jane Lee, who lost her husband in Duterte’s “war on drugs” said.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines International Office said that Duterte’s crimes are beyond his so-called “war on drugs,” pointing out that his government carried out systematic killings of its peace consultants, aerial bombings of civilian communities, and the torture and execution of captured Red fighters (hors de combat). These, they added, are all in blatant disregard of the laws of war.
Protesters welcome the arrest as a step toward justice for the thousands killed in Duterte’s bloody War on Drugs. Families of extrajudicial killing victims join the demonstration, demanding accountability for the abuses committed under his administration.
“There are mixed emotions among all the families of the victims. We hope that Bato and Go will be included as well. This is the day of reckoning for the powerful Duterte, who mercilessly took the lives of our loved ones."
“The police went on a killing spree because the commander-in-chief was rewarding those who were carrying out the notorious ‘death squad’ template in Davao.”
“Our work in the communities continues. We will seek (for) more families to speak about their case."
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