THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Potential witnesses in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte are coming under immense pressure through online harassment and other intimidation to withdraw their testimony, according to lawyers representing them.
However, human rights attorneys told a news conference on Sunday in the Dutch city where the ICC is based and Duterte is being held that the court will not necessarily require witnesses to travel to The Hague. People will also be able to participate anonymously, they added. “Now, as accountability inches closer for Duterte, the same victims are being revictimized once again by the relentless misinformation and fake news machinery of the Duterte camp,” said Kristina Conti of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) in the Philippines and assistant counsel of victims of Duterte’s drug war. “But instead of deterring them, these attacks are further emboldening the victims to speak louder and continue the call for justice for their loved ones.”
“It is crucial for the ICC that the process continues without witness intimidation, witness killings, those are strictly prohibited, or the erasure or loss of evidence,” Conti said.
“He is a flight risk, and it seems unlikely he would return for trial, which is a major reason for his detention,” she added.
TacoButtPlug@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
Headline should read: “Duterte Continues To Be A Bitch Even From The Hague”
Fuck him and his fashy supporters. Whatever charge he gets will be too good for him.