Nepal’s interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki should release the Commission of Inquiry report into deadly violence during the “Gen Z” protests of September 2025, as well as all the pr...

The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s first major hearing in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is a critical step in ensuring justice for victims of the Philippines’ “war...

Indonesian police unlawfully dispersed, beat, and detained 11 Papuan protesters in Merauke City, South Papua, on January 25, 2026.

New South Wales police used apparent excessive force against people protesting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia.

New South Wales police used apparent excessive force against people protesting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia.

The Chinese government intensified its repression across the country in 2025.

Vietnam’s authorities cracked down harshly on dissidents and perceived critics of the government as Communist Party leadership consolidated its power in 2025.

In 2025, Pakistani authorities deployed vague and overbroad laws to intensify their crackdown on media freedom, political opposition, and civil society groups.

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Rights-respecting democracies should form a strategic alliance to preserve the rules-based international order, which is under threat from the Trump administration and the leaders of China and Russia.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro says ASEAN member states have 'not endorsed' the election in military-run Myanmar.

Under relentless pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, and long undermined by China and Russia, the rules-based order that helped make human rights enforceable is fraying fast.

After half a decade of bloody fighting, a resurgent military faces a determined but splintered armed resistance.

Myanmar’s military junta has committed widespread repression and abuse in every facet of life in the country since seizing power on February 1, 2021.

Today, 26 January 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I (“Chamber”) of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) found Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings and scheduled the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for 23 February 2026.The Defence had requested the indefinite adjournment of the proceedings, including the hearing on the confirmation of charges, based on its assertion that Mr Duterte was not fit to participate in the proceedings. The Chamber appointed a panel of three medical experts to undertake a medical examination of Mr Duterte and received the Panel’s reports on 5 December 2025, on which the Prosecution, the Defence and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims submitted observations.Having regard to the relevant legal principles, the medical assessment of the independent experts composing the Panel, and all of the relevant circumstances of the case, the Chamber was satisfied that Mr Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings, which are thereby resumed. The Chamber rejected the Defence’s request for an indefinite adjournment and set the date of the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for 23 February 2026.An order setting the schedule and directions for the hearing on the confirmation of charges will be issued in due course, including instructions regarding measures that the medical reports have recommended to facilitate Mr Duterte’s participation. The purpose of such hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If one or more of the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.Practical information, in particular on how to attend or watch the proceedings, will be provided closer to the date of the hearing.Decision on the ‘Defence Request for an Indefinite Adjournment’ and Mr Duterte’s fitness to take part in the pre-trial proceedingsBackground: Mr Duterte is suspected of the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign. Following a request of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, the warrant of arrest against Mr Duterte was issued by the Chamber as “Secret” on 7 March 2025 and reclassified as “Public” on 11 March 2025. On 12 March 2025, Mr Duterte was surrendered to the ICC after being arrested by the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in accordance with the warrant of arrest.The initial appearance of Mr Duterte took place on 14 March 2025. On 8 September 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I postponed the confirmation hearing, initially scheduled to start on 23 September 2025, to adjudicate the Defence’s Adjournment Request concerning Mr Duterte’s fitness to participate in the proceedings.Pre-Trial Chamber I is composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc and Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera. For more information, please contact the ICC Public Affairs Unit: PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int. You can also follow the Court’s activities on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr

In a January 26 ruling, a Japanese district court held the North Korean government liable for grave human rights violations against Koreans and Japanese citizens lured to North Korea through its “Para...

In a January 26 ruling, a Japanese district court held the North Korean government liable for grave human rights violations against Koreans and Japanese citizens lured to North Korea through its “Para...

As Bhutan’s prime minister Tshering Tobgay tours Europe this week seeking investments in the “Gelephu Mindfulness City” mega-project, European leaders should urge him to release the 30 remaining polit...

Australia passed new laws that expand government authority to ban hate groups and impose tougher penalties for hate crimes.