France clarifies Duterte statement on judicial system

August 30, 2017

France on Wednesday clarified remarks of President Rodrigo Duterte, who said under French criminal law, a person is presumed guilty until proven innocent.

“We have to point out that, as in the Philippines, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is at the core of the French judicial system, based on the principles enshrined in the French Declaration of Human and Civic Rights of August 26, 1789,” the Embassy of France said in a statement.

France, the embassy said, “strongly believes in the importance of the rule of law, due process and respect for human rights in all countries, including the Philippines.”

Duterte made the statement on Monday in reaction to United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard’s fresh criticisms of his government’s anti-drug war following the death of a 17-year-old boy in  police operation.

In a post on her Twitter account, Callamard called on the Philippine government to make Kian Delos Santos’ death “the last.”

Duterte lashed back at Callamard, a French national, calling her “stupid.”

He said in France a person can be detained indefinitely and is considered guilty until proven innocent.

"In her place, they can detain person almost indefinitely under the French law. And the French law says you are guilty and you have to prove your innocence," Duterte said. DMS