KARAPATAN welcomes the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber denying the appeal of former President Rodrigo Duterte that questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction over crimes against humanity filed against Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC Appeals Chamber upheld a previous ruling stating that the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes already being considered or investigated before Duterte made the self-serving decision to exit the Rome Statute that created the ICC. Duterte is accused of having committed crimes against humanity from 2011 to 2019, when the Philippines had not yet withdrawn from the ICC.
Said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay, “This latest decision eliminates an important legal obstacle to the confirmation of charges against Duterte and practically gives the green light for the trial to proceed. We anticipate the confirmation of murder charges any time soon.”
“This decision, which is another legal victory, is a product of the Filipino people’s unrelenting, persevering and staunch struggle for truth, justice and accountability. The Duterte regime is one of the most vicious violators of human rights and international humanitarian law, with the bloody and sham drug war as well as the counterinsurgency program which resulted in extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests and torture, and war crimes. Duterte and his ilk should be fully made accountable for these crimes,” Palabay said.
KARAPATAN reiterated its call for the immediate enforcement of the arrest for former Philippine National Police chief Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa, former Special Assistant to the President and Sen. Bong Go, and other police and military officials. “For years, they have continued to enjoy power and privileges that they gained because of the mass murders of poor Filipinos. It is high time that they are made to face the consequences of their high crimes,” Palabay said.
