THE TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE OVER IMPUNITY: ICC AFFIRMS JURISDICTION
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS STATEMENT
22 April 2026
Reference: Atty. Jojo Lacanilao, convenor, Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network, +63 917 812 8262
THE TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE OVER IMPUNITY: ICC AFFIRMS JURISDICTION
Today’s decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber to affirm its jurisdiction over the situation in the Philippines is a monumental victory for justice and a definitive blow against the culture of impunity.
By rejecting the Duterte defense team’s meritless argument that withdrawal from the Rome Statute provides a "get out of jail free" card, the Court has signaled that justice cannot be outrun by political maneuvering and lies. The crimes committed during the Philippines' membership—the thousands of lives lost and families shattered—remain within the Court's reach.
"Withdrawal is not a shield for accountability. The law is clear: crimes committed while a state is a party to the Statute remain subject to the Court’s scrutiny. Today, the Appeals Chamber chose the side of the victims over the side of the perpetrators. We hope that the Pre-Trial Chamber will soon confirm the charges of murder against Duterte."
We remain steadfast in standing in solidarity with the victims of Duterte’s crimes. The path to justice is long, but today, it became significantly shorter.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.