THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to arrive in the Netherlands on Wednesday to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs.
Upon arrival, Duterte will be taken to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) detention unit, where he will be processed for his initial court appearance.
Inside the ICC Detention Center
Located in the seaside district of Scheveningen in The Hague, the ICC’s detention facility operates within a Dutch prison. The center currently houses five other ICC detainees awaiting trial.
The facility has previously held high-profile figures prosecuted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), including Slobodan Milošević, Radovan Karadžić, and Ratko Mladić.
According to the ICC, the detention unit is designed to ensure the well-being of detainees while respecting their cultural diversity and personal development.
Each detainee is assigned an individual cell equipped with a computer (without internet access), a bed, a desk, shelves, a cupboard, a toilet, a hand basin, a television, and an intercom for communication with guards. Detainees also have access to outdoor exercise areas and recreational activities.
Meals are provided three times a day, but detainees can also cook their own food using groceries supplied based on their preferences and cultural needs. Family and conjugal visits are allowed multiple times a year, with financial assistance available for indigent detainees.
Initial Court Appearance
Under ICC regulations, detainees must appear before the Pre-Trial Chamber upon their arrival. During this hearing, judges will confirm Duterte’s identity, inform him of the charges, and outline his rights under the Rome Statute, including the option to apply for interim release.
Pre-trial judges will then set a date for the confirmation of charges hearing.
Confirmation of Charges
Following ICC procedure, a confirmation hearing will be scheduled within a reasonable timeframe. During this hearing, prosecutors must present substantial evidence proving that Duterte committed the alleged crimes.
Judges will then decide whether to:
- Confirm the charges and proceed to trial,
- Request additional evidence,
- Modify the charges, or
- Dismiss the case altogether.
If the charges are confirmed, a trial chamber will be assembled to oversee the proceedings.
As Duterte faces one of the most significant legal battles of his political career, the international community watches closely to see how the case unfolds.
