March 2025
- Admin AJC
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
AJC STATEMENT: ‘ASIA JUSTICE COALITION WELCOMES THE ARREST OF THE FORMER PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’
On 14 March, the Asia Justice Coalition welcomed the arrest and surrender of the former Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by the Philippine National Police to the International Criminal Court. While the execution of this arrest warrant is the first for the Philippines situation and any in Asia before the ICC, AJC hopes this will be the first of many such actions. The AJC also acknowledged the determination, resolve, and tireless efforts by survivors, victim groups, and their representatives in their fight against impunity.
PODCAST WITH DR. PILLAI ON THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
On 28 March, Asia Justice Coalition Executive Director Dr. Priya Pillai was in conversation with Prof. Douglas Guilfoyle and Ruby Rosselle Tugade on the arrest and surrender of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Check the full episode of the podcast here. On 11 March, Dr. Pillai also wrote a blog post on the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte for the Philippines "war on drugs".
CSW SIDE EVENT ON GENDER JUSTICE & CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
On 17 March, Asia Justice Coalition, Global Justice Center, Atlantic Council, Physicians for Human Rights, and Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice co-organised a side event on the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on 'Gender Justice and the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Initiative'.
PANEL ON THE ONGOING CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
On 6 March 2025, Asia Justice Coalition Executive Director Dr Priya Pillai participated in the T.M.C. Asser Instituut's special International Women’s Day event, honouring the life and legacy of Bertha von Suttner, the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The panel discussion featuring Prof. Dr. Janne E. Nijman and Priya Pillai, explored the ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality in international law and the essential role women play in global justice.
AJC SECRETARIAT ON MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE
On 29 March, following the high-intensity earthquake in Myanmar and the declaration of a state of emergency, the Asia Justice Coalition secretariat called for safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access. Further, AJC called on States to ensure all parties to the conflict, including the Myanmar military, immediately end the ongoing attacks and military operations across the country and ensure compliance with international law.
AJC PUBLISHED A PRIMER ON ‘TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE’
On 19 March, the Coalition published a primer on ‘Transitional Justice’. The primer offers a concise explanation of the following: 1) what is meant by 'transitional justice'; 2) what are the pillars of transitional justice; 3) what are some challenges in pursuing transitional justice; and 4) what are People's Tribunals, and how do they contribute to transitional justice.
DR. PILLAI JOINS NLSIU AS PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE
On 16 March, Dr. Priya Pillai was appointed as the Professor of Practice at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, India.
AJC #IWD2025 TESTIMONIALS
On 7 March, ahead of International Women’s Day, the Asia Justice Coalition published two testimonials from members of the Women Leaders in International Justice & Accountability (WIJA) Project in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who strongly advocated for increased representation of women in leadership positions. AJC reiterated that prioritising the building of women’s professional leadership in the law opens possibilities for legal empowerment and further access to justice.