Duterte ‘treated fairly, humanely’ in ICC detention – spokesperson

The Hague, Netherlands –  Former President Rodrigo Duterte is treated “fairly and humanely” at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center, an ICC spokesperson said, adding that conditions inside the facility meet international standards with public attention intensifying during his confirmation of charges hearing.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said all detainees in court custody are presumed innocent and are held under conditions that respect their rights and welfare.

“Detention at the ICC respects the highest international standards,” Maillet said, adding that the court ensures medical care, safety and humane treatment for all persons under its custody.

The former leader has been detained at the ICC since March 2025 after his arrest on allegations of crimes against humanity linked to killings during his anti-drug campaign and earlier tenure as Davao City mayor. He faces accusations covering alleged incidents between November 2011 and March 2019, a period when the Philippines was still a state party to the Rome Statute.

The confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte began this week in The Hague, a pretrial process that will determine whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence to send the case to full trial.

Maillet said the ICC detention center is not a prison for convicted persons but a temporary facility for suspects awaiting court proceedings, emphasizing that detainees’ personal needs and health concerns are monitored closely.

The spokesperson’s remarks come amid statements from Duterte’s family saying no in-person visits were approved during the week of hearings, citing court procedures while proceedings are ongoing. Duterte had earlier waived his right to attend the confirmation hearing, with judges allowing the process to continue in his absence after finding he understood the consequences of the decision.

Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member of the treaty.