Lecture | Roundtable Forum

Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague: The International Criminal Court, the War on Drugs, and the Global Politics of Justice

Date

Wednesday 29 October 2025

Time

16:00 - 18:00 hour

Address

Wijnhaven
Turfmarkt 99
2511 DP The Hague

Room

2.19

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Desciption

The arrest and detention of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) mark a historic first—he is the first Asian leader to be tried at the ICC and the first world leader prosecuted for crimes against humanity in the context of a “war on drugs.” Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, launched an aggressive and militaristic anti-drug campaign that led to the extrajudicial killing of thousands of alleged drug offenders. In 2018, his administration withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, yet the Court proceeded with its investigation, citing jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member. Now, in 2025, Duterte stands trial in The Hague for his role in these human rights violations.

This roundtable brings together scholars and practitioners to explore the legal, political, and human rights dimensions of Duterte’s prosecution. What does this trial reveal about the power and limits of the ICC in enforcing accountability? How does Duterte’s case fit into the broader trends of authoritarian resurgence, state violence, and global narcotics governance?

Furthermore, this discussion will examine the global Filipino diaspora’s role in shaping the discourse around Duterte’s trial. As a politically engaged transnational community, the diaspora has been deeply divided, with some strongly supporting Duterte and others advocating for justice and accountability. How do these contestations reflect broader debates on populism, nationalism, and the legitimacy of international legal institutions? What are the implications of this trial for the future of human rights enforcement and state sovereignty in an era of shifting global power dynamics?

This panel will provide a critical and timely analysis of the Duterte’s detention as a landmark case for international justice, the politics of accountability, and the contested legacies of authoritarian governance in the Philippines and beyond.

Agenda

16:00–16:05 Welcome and Introduction – Dr. Hitomi Koyama
16:05–16:35 Dr. Barrie Sander
16:35–17:05 Dr. Salvador Santino Regilme
17:05–17:35 Dr. Liberty Chee
17:35–18:00 Open Discussion and Q&A

Panel

Chair:
Dr Hitomi Koyama – Assistant Professor of International Relations, Leiden Institute for Area Studies

Panelists:

1. Dr Salvador Santino Regilme – Associate Professor and Chair of International Relations Program, Institute for History, Leiden University (global war on drugs and human rights; politics of authoritarianism)
2. Dr Liberty Chee – Internatonal Relations scholar and global migration governance expert focusing on the Filipino diaspora
3. Dr Barrie Sander - Assistant Professor of International Law at Leiden University – Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

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Register you attendance here.

Due to the venue capacity, we kindly ask for registration.