The International Criminal Court has announced that the trial of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will commence in November, with a panel of British judges presiding. The case, centred on allegations of crimes against humanity during his war on drugs, is expected to be one of the most significant in the court's history. For families of the estimated 30,000 victims, many from impoverished communities, the trial offers a rare chance for justice.
Yet questions remain over whether the proceedings will address the systemic impunity that allowed extrajudicial killings to flourish. The British judges, known for their rigorous legal standards, will face immense pressure to deliver a verdict that respects both the rule of law and the lived experience of those who lost loved ones.
