International Research Institution of Controversial Histories

A JAPANESE researcher and representative of the International Career Support Association (ICSA) has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to intervene in the detention of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, labeling his situation a case of “political persecution.”

Speaking during a General Debate at the UNHRC on March 11, 2026, Shunichi Fujiki—who also serves as a senior researcher for the International Research Institution of Controversial Histories (iRICH)—demanded a humanitarian review and the interim release of the 80-year-old former leader.

“I stand here to denounce the grave injustice. 80 years old former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Philippines, who bravely fought illegal drugs to protect millions, has been unlawfully removed from the homeland and held in prolonged pretrial detention by the ICC in The Hague. This is a political persecution, and not justice. The current administration extradited him without due process, bypassing Philippine courts and violating national sovereignty,” Fujiki said.

“He was extradited without any due process. Incidentally, since March 11, 2025, exactly one year ago today, this elderly leader has endured detention, separated from family amid serious health issues. Global rallies and protests in The Hague and throughout the world demand an interim release, which has been unlawfully denied by the ICC three times. This over one year pre-trial detention raises profound questions about compliance with the Rome Statute’s guarantees of humane treatment and speedy trial,” he said.

“It is an affront to human dignity and an abuse of international justice for political ends. We urge this council to demand a humanitarian review and the interim release of President Duterte. Justice must be fair, not a weapon against the people. The majority of the Filipino voice will not be silenced or depressed. Thank you very much,” he further said.

Fujiki’s statement marked the first anniversary of Duterte’s controversial arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11, 2025. 

The former president was reportedly extradited to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face charges related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“I stand here to denounce a grave injustice,” Fujiki told the council. “The current [Philippine] administration extradited him without due process, bypassing Philippine courts and violating national sovereignty.”

Fujiki argued that the ICC’s jurisdiction is misplaced, citing the principle of complementarity in international law, which states that international courts should only intervene if a country’s legal system is unable or unwilling to prosecute. 

He further alleged that the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is utilizing the ICC proceedings to dismantle the political influence of the Duterte family.

The researcher highlighted the former president’s deteriorating health and the fact that he has remained in pre-trial detention for over a year without a formal trial.

“This over one-year pre-trial detention raises profound questions about compliance with the Rome Statute’s guarantees of humane treatment and a speedy trial,” Fujiki added, noting that the ICC has reportedly denied Duterte’s request for interim release three times.

The appeal is supported by the Republic Defenders for Peace and Unity (RDPU–DDS Japan), a group that has been organizing global rallies to bring international attention to what they describe as a “weaponization of justice.”

As of press time, the Philippine government and the ICC have yet to issue a formal response to Fujiki’s statements before the council.