The International Criminal Court (ICC) has received criticism in high-profile cases, such as the investigation involving former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Many people feel that media coverage is one-sided and that the ICC may not properly investigate the backgrounds of alleged victims. However, the ICC has strict procedures to ensure fairness, including careful verification of victim information.
1. Legal Standards for Recognizing Victims
Before a person is recognized as a victim in ICC proceedings, the Court requires verification of several key elements:
- That the person is a real individual.
- That they suffered harm or injury.
- That the harm is linked to an alleged crime under the ICC's jurisdiction.
These standards are outlined in the Rome Statute and ensure that victim claims are credible and verifiable, not based solely on media reports or political narratives.
2. Victim Participation Requires Verification
The ICC allows individuals affected by alleged crimes to apply for formal participation in proceedings. These applications include:
- Personal identification and documentation
- Detailed accounts of the alleged harm
- Other supporting evidence
The ICC’s Registry verifies all submissions before granting victims participation rights. This means that alleged victims must meet legal requirements to be considered credible. (Source: icc-cpi.int)
3. Independent Evidence Collection
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor does not rely on media reports alone. Prosecutors:
- Interview victims and witnesses directly
- Collect independent evidence from official documents, photos, and reports
- Assess both supporting and contradictory evidence
This ensures that all allegations are thoroughly examined before any case proceeds to investigation or trial.
4. Protecting Both Victims and Defendants
The ICC balances the rights of victims and defendants. Victims' personal information is often confidential to protect their safety, which is why media coverage may focus more on the defendant’s side. Meanwhile, defendants, including high-profile leaders like Duterte, have the right to:
- Challenge the credibility of alleged victims
- Review evidence submitted by victims
- Participate fully in judicial proceedings
5. Bottom Line
- The ICC verifies the backgrounds and credibility of alleged victims using legal procedures, not media narratives.
- Victims must provide documentation and detailed accounts of harm.
- Defendants retain full rights to challenge claims and defend themselves.
- Media coverage may appear one-sided, but the internal ICC process ensures fairness and impartiality.
Even in high-profile cases like Duterte’s, the ICC ensures that alleged victims are carefully vetted and that the proceedings are evidence-based, protecting both the rights of victims and the accused.
