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Japanese NGO urges ICC to drop jurisdiction over Duterte

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

ON THE eve of a critical International Criminal Court (ICC) ruling, a Japan-based non-governmental organization has called for the immediate release of former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming his continued detention is a “grave violation” of human rights.

In an open letter dated April 20, the International Career Support Association (ICSA) urged ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane to cease the court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the former leader. 

The plea comes just two days before the Court’s scheduled decision on April 22, 2026.

‘Court of Last Resort’

The ICSA, represented by its director for UN Affairs, Shunichi Fujiki, argued that the ICC is overstepping its mandate under the “principle of complementarity” stipulated in the Rome Statute.

“The Republic of the Philippines has a three-tiered court system, and its judiciary is fully functioning today,” the letter stated. “Direct intervention by the ICC is clearly inappropriate and constitutes a violation of said principle.”

The group emphasized that because the Philippine justice system is capable of conducting fair trials, the case should be remanded to the domestic judiciary.

Humanitarian and political concerns

The NGO also raised alarms over the health of the 81-year-old former president, who has reportedly been detained for 13 months without trial.

 ICSA described the prolonged pre-trial detention of an elderly individual with serious medical conditions as “entirely unacceptable from a humanitarian standpoint.”

Beyond legal arguments, the ICSA characterized the ICC’s involvement as a “political maneuver” aimed at the Duterte family. 

The letter explicitly linked the ICC case to the current political climate in Manila, citing the second impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“This is a political maneuver aimed at preventing her from running in the 2028 presidential election,” Fujiki claimed in the letter, adding that the ICC is becoming “deeply involved in domestic political disputes.”

Global Standards

The letter cited several international norms, including the Nelson Mandela Rules for the treatment of prisoners and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) , to support its demand for Duterte’s release.

The ICSA confirmed that the letter has been submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) and shared with major international media outlets to ensure “fairness in the international community.”

As of press time, the Philippine government and the ICC have yet to issue a response to the ICSA’s open letter.

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Japanese researcher: ‘ICC is not superior’ 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

A JAPANESE researcher described the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) focus on former President Rodrigo Duterte as “total nonsense,” arguing that the international probe bypassed the Philippine judicial system and undermined national sovereignty.

Shunichi Fujiki, representing the International Career Support Association (ICSA) and the International Research Institution of Controversial Histories (iRICH), issued the statement during a session of the UN Human Rights Council on March 11, 2026.

Fujiki challenged the procedural legitimacy of the ICC’s involvement, suggesting that any legal action against the former leader must originate within the Philippine court system.

“If you want to criminalize him, you have to bring it to the court first for evaluation or investigation,” Fujiki stated. “However, they didn’t do it. And they just handed, surrendered [him] to ICC.”

Under scrutiny 

Fujiki argued on the principle of complementarity —the legal doctrine that international courts should only intervene if national legal systems are proven unwilling or unable to function. 

By taking the case directly to an international stage, Fujiki said the Philippines’ own legal institutions are being unfairly sidelined.

“That means ICC is superior to Filipino sovereignty,” Fujiki added. “This is wrong.”

He further characterized the proceedings—related to the Philippines’ previous anti-drug campaign—as a violation of sovereignty, calling instead for “humanitarian intervention” to respect the domestic legal process.

A growing debate 

The comments come amid a heated national debate regarding the ICC’s jurisdiction in the Philippines, following the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.

While international human rights groups continue to push for overseas accountability, defenders of the former administration maintain that the Philippine judiciary remains independent and fully capable of handling domestic legal matters. 

Fujiki’s stance mirrors the sentiment among many Davaoeños who view the ICC’s actions as an overreach of international authority into the country’s internal affairs.

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‘I cannot take this injustice’: Japanese human rights advocate hits ICC case vs Duterte

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

JAPANESE human rights advocate Shunichi Fujiki labeled the ongoing legal proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte as a “gross injustice.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SMNI, Fujiki—a figure known for his decade-long work assisting overseas Filipinos and victims of domestic violence in Japan—expressed his deep-seated concern over the treatment of the 80-year-old former president.

“I cannot take this injustice… we need to do something,” Fujiki said, pointing to Duterte’s advanced age and the overwhelming domestic support the former leader still commands.

A witness to the Filipino sentiment

Fujiki, whose advocacy spans over ten years of helping Filipinos navigate legal and personal crises abroad, noted that his stance is informed by his interactions with the Filipino community.

He argued that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) pursuit of Duterte contradicts the sentiment of the majority in the Philippines.

“President Duterte is really admired by the Filipino, majority of the Filipino people,” Fujiki remarked.

He suggested that his experience listening to the grievances of victims across the globe has given him a unique perspective on what constitutes true justice versus political targeting.

Growing international discourse

The advocate’s statements add a new layer to the widening international debate surrounding the ICC investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. 

While human rights groups globally have called for accountability, voices like Fujiki’s highlight a counter-narrative of sovereignty and popular mandate.

Fujiki emphasized that his decision to speak out was driven by a moral obligation to protect a leader whom he believes has been unfairly vilified by international bodies.

The Japanese advocate’s intervention comes at a critical time, as Duterte’s legal team continues to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction, and as supporters prepare for the former President’s 81st birthday on March 28—a date many expect to become a massive demonstration of local and international solidarity.

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Japanese researcher hits ‘political persecution’ of FPRRD, urges UN to intervene for release 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

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.

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