Philippine President Facing New ICC Complaint Over Extrajudicial Killings - Document

Philippine President Facing New ICC Complaint Over Extrajudicial Killings - Document

Families of individuals allegedly killed during the Philippine government's anti-drug campaign filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) consisting of a second petition accusing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity, media reported on Tuesday, citing the document.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th August, 2018) Families of individuals allegedly killed during the Philippine government's anti-drug campaign filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) consisting of a second petition accusing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity, media reported on Tuesday, citing the document.

According to the Rappler news website, in a 50-page petition addressed to ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, the families urge that Duterte be brought before the ICC and "held to account for crimes against humanity."

Philippine attorney Jude Sabio filed a similar complaint to the ICC in April, accusing Duterte and several other Philippine officials of murder.

In March, Duterte unilaterally withdrew from the ICC Rome Statue following Bensouda's announcement that the court would launch a preliminary investigation into crimes against humanity that he had allegedly committed.

Duterte launched his large-scale anti-drug campaign in June 2016 as a follow-up to his election promise to stop drug-related crimes in the country. The initiative has been sharply criticized by the international community and human rights groups.