Philippine rights groups on Saturday welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I’s order the day prior directing its Victims Participation and Reparations Section to suggest a process of application and registration of victims.
“We are ready to consult with the section on the modes and mechanisms that will work best in our context,” read a press statement shared by ICC assistant to counsel lawyer Kristina Conti, who serves as counsel for drug war victims.
According to the joint statement by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and Rise Up for Life and for Rights, victims can participate in the trial by serving as witnesses, submitting views and concerns, or both.
“Their non-participation does not automatically result in the dropping of charges – so the call for some of the victims to ‘withdraw the case’ is senseless. Victims may express their opinion independent of the Prosecution and the Defense, and eventually engage in the determination of the civil aspect, or ICC’s terms, reparations,” the statement read.
The groups “eagerly await” further instructions from the ICC and its victims’ section in the Registry for guidelines.
They explained that until the charges have been confirmed by the Pre-Trial Chamber I, they cannot determine yet the exact scope of the case and the precise identity of victims who can participate.
“We anticipate that victims will be required to submit a signed application to participate with a statement of the victimhood, identification documents, proof of kinship to the victim of the killing, and other related information or documents,” the statement read.
“We must remind again that the identities of victims are protected throughout the proceedings, and that the Court will take appropriate measures to protect the safety, physical and psychological wellbeing, dignity and privacy of victims,” it added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “ICC welcomes drug war victims’ participation in Duterte ICC case.”