“While interim release mechanisms serve important human rights purposes, they must not supersede ensuring accountability of individuals accused of very serious crimes against humanity.”

MANILA – The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) urged the International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber I to apply a de novo assessment or assess anew the articles of the Rome Statute, particularly Articles 58 to 60 which ensures “that any decision on interim release fully respects the Rome Statute’s strict criteria and that victims’ voices guide the process.”

In a statement, the group said, “While the humanitarian situation of an accused—especially one of advanced age—warrants respect and care, dubious, deceitful and hypocritical pleas must be exposed as a devious stunt to get undeserved liberty.” 

The defense lawyer of former president Rodrigo Duterte filed a motion for an interim release citing his old age and illnesses. The families as well as their counsels expressed concern on Duterte’s request for an interim release. They and other human rights groups also vowed to oppose the release of Duterte. 

The IADL said that “while interim release mechanisms serve important human rights purposes, they must not supersede ensuring accountability of individuals accused of very serious crimes against humanity.”

“The IADL believes that accountability must prevail,” said Edre Olalia, the IADL’s transitional president in a statement. “In contrast to the lack of due process in Duterte’s war on drugs, his charges in the ICC require a full, unhindered judicial process. To grant him interim release now threatens or intimidates victims, their families, witnesses and lawyers.”

Meanwhile in the United Nation in Geneva, Switzerland, a member of civil society organizations exposed that families of the extrajudicial killing victims experienced intensified attacks after Duterte was arrested on March 11. 

“Regrettably, the pursuit of justice for families in the Philippines has been met with online attacks—false images, fabricated narratives, misogynistic hate speech, and rampant disinformation—designed to discredit and intimidate,” Mervin Toquero, co-lead of the Philippine Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Watch, said in a statement before the members of the 59th UN Human Rights Council. 

Toquero said that they agree with the report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Morris Tidball-Binz on the rights of families of victims of unlawful killings that calls for the protection of victims’ families against reprisals. 

“We agree with the Special Rapporteur that the right to personal security obliges States to exercise due diligence in protecting victims’ families from threats to their safety. This includes shielding them from reprisals such as violence, arbitrary arrest, or online intimidation,” Toquero said in a statement. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine UPR Watch called on all human rights advocates worldwide “to stand in solidarity with victims of summary executions under the Duterte administration, to monitor developments closely, and to urge the representatives at the ICC to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process.” 

“Only by doing so can the ICC fulfill its mandate and maintain international trust in the rule of law as a means to achieve justice long denied to the victims,” the IADL said. (DAA)