MANILA, Philippines — The Pre-Trial Chamber 1 of the International Criminal Court (ICC) acknowledged the documentation provided by the Registry to confirm the identities of the alleged victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, paving the way for their or their representatives participation in the proceedings, according to a post on its website on Friday. For "applicant victims" relying on declarations confirmed by two witnesses as proof of identity, the chamber indicated it would review these on a case-by-case basis, pending assessments and recommendations from the Registry. The chamber has directed the Registry to facilitate common legal representation for the victims, which would balance the court's resources with the victims' essential right to engage meaningfully. The chamber, however, warned that while protecting the interests of the victim applicants was crucial, it would be too early to allow lawyers whom they had previously appointed to participate before the common legal representation was established. The order, signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc and judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera, underscores the ongoing legal proceedings faced by Duterte whose anti-drug campaign, has allegedly led to thousands of deaths, with human rights groups claiming the toll may reach as high as 30,000, including extrajudicial killings. Read Full Story
