The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I has appointed medical experts to evaluate former president Rodrigo Duterte’s health and ability to participate in the ongoing proceedings related to his crimes against humanity.
In a nine-page document dated October 9, the chamber ordered the formation of a multidisciplinary panel of experts to assess Duterte’s fitness to stand trial.
The chamber specified that the panel should include at least three experts in the fields of forensic psychiatry, neuropsychology, and behavioral neurology.
The prosecution also concurred with the registry’s recommendation for the three medical experts.
“The Prosecution notes that these experts were identified as suitable by the Registry independent of any recommendations from the Prosecution or the Defense and have confirmed their interest and availability to the Registry,” it said.
According to the chamber’s order, the appointed experts are required to identify and evaluate the following aspects:
- Whether Duterte suffers from any medical condition, and if this affects his ability to take part in the pre-trial proceedings
- Whether there must be any “special measures or adjustments” to address this condition
- Whether he has the capacity to understand the purpose and consequences of the proceedings, the pleadings to the charges, and the evidence
On September 23, Duterte was scheduled to attend the confirmation of charges, but this was postponed by the Pre-Trial Chamber after his defense team claimed he was unfit to stand trial.
Human rights lawyer and ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti welcomed this position of the pre-trial and hoped it would lead to the swift resumption of the legal proceedings.
“Duterte’s fitness for trial is a particularly contentious issue because of conflicting narratives and utterly confusing messages. On the part of the victims, we are closely monitoring the process to ensure that the rights of all parties are observed and fulfilled, and that any delaying tactic is offset,” Conti said. —With Pot Chavez
