THE HAGUE: More family members of those killed in the Philippines’ war on drugs are expected to seek recognition in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), as their lawyers expressed confidence that the charges would proceed to trial.
Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti on Thursday (Feb 26) said members of the legal team assisting victims were preparing for the next round of applications for participation, as the four-day confirmation of charges hearing concludes on Friday.
“I am glad that some have changed their minds about sharing their experience. They were initially discouraged by the fact they’re just a sibling of the victim — not the direct victim — but they’re slowly realizing that they can participate in the next round,” Conti told reporters after the third day of the hearing.
While she had no exact figures, Conti said lawyers were hoping that the initial 1,500 individuals who gave comments when ICC prosecutors reached out in 2021 in compliance with Article 15 of the Rome Statute would apply to participate in the proceedings.
At the time, Pre-Trial Chamber I had authorized the Office of the Prosecutor to conduct a formal investigation into the alleged crimes committed in the context of Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign.
Conti also noted that victims’ attendance in the public gallery during ICC proceedings was rare.
“[This] sends the message [to the court] that victims in the Philippines are really interested in this case, and therefore they are finding that this case, in the greater interest of justice, was correct,” the ICC-accredited lawyer said.
Meanwhile, lead defence counsel Nicholas Kaufman said he felt sorry for one of the victims he saw weeping at the end of the second day of the hearing on Tuesday. He acknowledged the role of victims in ICC proceedings but stressed that he had a “job to do.”
“The victims are always center because this court is set up to counter impunity. But that has nothing to do with whether or not someone who’s brought before this court is criminally responsible,” he told reporters hours after presenting his arguments before the chamber.
Of course I felt for the old lady in the gallery who was crying because I’m a human being … I don’t make light of grief. However, having said that, I have a job to do, and my job is to defend someone who I believe has been wrongly charged,” he added.
All parties and participants are expected to deliver their closing statements, after which Pre-Trial Chamber I will decide within the next 60 days whether there are substantial grounds to commit Duterte to trial. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
