Duterte faces ICC ‘virtually’; confirmation of charges hearing on Sept. 23
Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time on Friday, March 14, in the Netherlands in connection with charges of crimes against humanity, and in what could be a long drawn out legal battle.
ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, granted Duterte’s request to attend the hearing via video link.
"As Mr. Duterte made a long journey, the Chamber authorized Mr. Duterte to follow the hearing at a distance. His counsel, however, is present with us in the courtroom," the ICC spokesperson said.
Duterte’s legal representative, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, attended the proceedings in person. The former president, dressed in a blue suit, appeared from his detention center and responded to questions regarding his identity and birth details.
Motoc said Duterte’s initial appearance in The Hague was to make sure that the person subject to the arrest warrant was informed of the charges against him, his rights under the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC, and the scheduled confirmation of charges hearing.
The charges read to Duterte relate to allegations of murder as a crime against humanity, covering killings attributed to the so-called Davao Death Squad and those committed during his administration’s war on drugs as Davao City mayor and president. The accusations span from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019 when the country exited from the Rome Statute at the instance of Duterte himself.
Confirmation of charges
The chamber has set the confirmation of charges hearing for Sept. 23, though the date may change depending on the progress of the proceedings. It may be postponed “either on its own motion or at the request of the prosecutor or the defense.”
According to the ICC, the confirmation of charges hearing is a public proceeding where the Pre-Trial Chamber determines whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe the accused committed the alleged crimes. If the charges are confirmed, the case proceeds to trial.
Motoc ordered the prosecutor to begin disclosing the information used as the basis for issuing the arrest warrant. The disclosure process must begin immediately and be completed within the next seven days.
The Chamber is also set to issue a decision regarding the participation of victims, who are authorized to present their views and concerns at this stage of the proceedings.
