President Marcos Open to Rejoining International Criminal Court
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to discussions about the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), a Palace official confirmed on Thursday. This possibility marks a significant shift in the country’s stance on the international tribunal.
At a recent press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed calls by Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression. Khan urged the Philippine government to ratify key international human rights treaties and renew its commitment to the Rome Statute of the ICC.
Welcoming International Human Rights Talks
Castro described the recommendations as “good” and reiterated that President Marcos remains receptive to reopening talks about rejoining the ICC. “He [Marcos] is open to it. The last time we spoke—since we’ve talked about this before—he said he was open to it,” she explained.
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute under former President Rodrigo Duterte. The withdrawal was formally executed on March 17, 2018, but only took effect a year later. Despite the official exit, the ICC has retained jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in the Philippines from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, covering the period when the country was still a member.
Background on the Philippines and the ICC
The withdrawal came amid Duterte’s controversial war on illegal drugs, which drew international scrutiny. The ICC’s involvement has been a contentious topic in the Philippines, with government officials often rejecting external intervention.
Nevertheless, the renewed openness to discussions about rejoining the ICC signals a potential change in the country’s approach to international human rights commitments. Local leaders noted this development could improve the Philippines’ global standing and strengthen its legal frameworks.
As the dialogue progresses, more details are expected to emerge regarding the conditions and timeline for the Philippines’ possible return to the ICC.
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