Duterte's arrest underscores ICC's ongoing enforcement challenges

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to his drug war. This marks a significant achievement for the ICC, which has faced challenges in enforcing its mandates for nearly 23 years. The ICC has issued 60 arrest warrants since its establishment in 2002, but only 21 have been executed prior to Duterte's arrest. The court relies on member states to apprehend suspects, but many countries, including Russia and the U.S., do not recognize its authority. The ICC has a low conviction rate, with only 11 guilty verdicts, all against African officials. This has led to criticism that the court disproportionately targets Africa, while non-African states often resist ICC jurisdiction.