GENEVA — A Japanese senior researcher called for the immediate release of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte before the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, arguing that his continued detention violates international law and constitutes undue interference in Philippine sovereignty.
Shunichi Fujiki, a representative of the International Career Support Association and senior researcher at the International Research Institution of Controversial Histories (iRICH), made the appeal during the UNHRC General Debate on March 11, 2026 — exactly one year after Duterte’s arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
Fujiki contended that Duterte’s detention is unjust under international law, noting that no domestic trial has taken place in the Philippines. He questioned the International Criminal Court’s intervention in the case, arguing that international institutions such as the ICC should only step in when a country’s local justice system is unable to resolve a matter on its own.
“This is why I consider the ICC’s actions to be unwarranted interference in Philippine sovereignty,” Fujiki said.
The researcher also alleged that the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is using the situation to end the political careers of Duterte and his family, who he said continue to enjoy strong public support.
Fujiki said cases of this nature should not be brought before the ICC, and that he intends to continue raising the issue at international forums to draw global attention to what he described as an injustice against the former president.
