THE HAGUE, Netherlands—The International Criminal Court (ICC) can still prosecute President Rodrigo Duterte even if the withdrawal of the Philippines becomes final. Mark Dillon, head of Information & Evidence Unit of ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor, reaffirmed this to the convenors of the International People’s Tribunal (IPT), according to Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes and IPT spokesperson Peter Murphy. International People’s Tribunal convicts Duterte of human rights abuses Reyes and Murphy were among those who officially handed the IPT’s decision indicting Duterte of gross human rights violations to ICC last Friday. “It was affirmed to us, today, that the withdrawal from the ICC has no bearing on the ongoing proceedings before the prosecutor because the proceedings were commenced before the withdrawal,” Reyes said. “So whatever Duterte announced no longer has any effect on the ongoing preliminary examination.” Reyes said the documents were duly received by the ICC and they’re hoping that the preliminary examination will lead to a formal investigation and that the documents they submitted will help understand the situation in the Philippines. “The communication will be duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court,” the written acknowledgment signed by Dillon stated. “Please note that this acknowledgment letter does not mean an investigation has been opened nor an investigation will be opened by the Office of the Prosecutor. As soon as a decision is reached, we… [Read full story]
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