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Advocates Philippines
ICC To Announce Decision On Resuming Investigation In PH's Drug War On July 18
Photo credit: ICC
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will announce its decision to resume investigations into the alleged crimes committed during the Government of the Philippines' "war on drugs" campaign.
The date is scheduled for July 18 and will discuss the appeal of the Philippine Government since it does not recognize the authority of the international judicial body.
On 24 May 2021, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor initially requested authorization from the Pre-Trial Chamber to initiate an investigation into the matter. On 15 September 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber granted authorization for the investigation to proceed.
Under Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute, a State has the right to inform the Court that it is conducting investigations into criminal acts committed by its nationals or within its jurisdiction. In such cases, the Prosecutor may defer to the State's investigation, unless the Pre-Trial Chamber decides to authorize the ICC's investigation.
On November 18 2021, the ICC Prosecutor received a request from the Republic of the Philippines, pursuant to Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute, to defer the investigation. However, on June 24 2022, the ICC Prosecutor requested the Chamber to resume the investigation, and on January 26 2023, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted the Prosecutor's request, indicating that the investigations by the Philippines were deemed insufficient to warrant a deferral based on the complementarity principle.
In response to the Pre-Trial Chamber's decision, the Philippine Government filed a Notice of Appeal against the authorization on February 3 2023. However, on 27 March 2023, the Appeals Chamber rejected the Philippines' request for suspensive effect, meaning that the ICC investigation would continue despite the ongoing appeal process.
It is noteworthy that the Philippines had previously been a State party to the Rome Statute since November 1 2011. However, the country formally withdrew from the Statute on 17 March 2018, with the withdrawal taking effect on 17 March 2019.
The resumption of the ICC's investigation into the "war on drugs" in the Philippines marks a significant development in the pursuit of accountability for alleged crimes committed during that period. The ICC will continue its efforts to gather evidence, conduct thorough investigations, and ensure justice for the victims and affected parties involved.
The date is scheduled for July 18 and will discuss the appeal of the Philippine Government since it does not recognize the authority of the international judicial body.
On 24 May 2021, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor initially requested authorization from the Pre-Trial Chamber to initiate an investigation into the matter. On 15 September 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber granted authorization for the investigation to proceed.
Under Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute, a State has the right to inform the Court that it is conducting investigations into criminal acts committed by its nationals or within its jurisdiction. In such cases, the Prosecutor may defer to the State's investigation, unless the Pre-Trial Chamber decides to authorize the ICC's investigation.
On November 18 2021, the ICC Prosecutor received a request from the Republic of the Philippines, pursuant to Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute, to defer the investigation. However, on June 24 2022, the ICC Prosecutor requested the Chamber to resume the investigation, and on January 26 2023, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted the Prosecutor's request, indicating that the investigations by the Philippines were deemed insufficient to warrant a deferral based on the complementarity principle.
In response to the Pre-Trial Chamber's decision, the Philippine Government filed a Notice of Appeal against the authorization on February 3 2023. However, on 27 March 2023, the Appeals Chamber rejected the Philippines' request for suspensive effect, meaning that the ICC investigation would continue despite the ongoing appeal process.
It is noteworthy that the Philippines had previously been a State party to the Rome Statute since November 1 2011. However, the country formally withdrew from the Statute on 17 March 2018, with the withdrawal taking effect on 17 March 2019.
The resumption of the ICC's investigation into the "war on drugs" in the Philippines marks a significant development in the pursuit of accountability for alleged crimes committed during that period. The ICC will continue its efforts to gather evidence, conduct thorough investigations, and ensure justice for the victims and affected parties involved.
Jul 13, 2023
