International Criminal Court chief prosecutor and killings in Philippines
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says drug war victims overwhelmingly support an investigation into all crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the context of the so-called war on drugs in the Philippines.
In its latest report, the ICC says 204 victims representations were submitted on behalf of 1,530 individual victims and 1,050 families.
About 94% of the victims want an investigation by the ICC prosecutor, according to the report.
The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says it is "satsified that information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that the crimes against humanity of murder...torture...and the infliction of serious physical injury and mental harm..." were committed in the Philippines between July 1, 2016 amd March 16, 2019.
The office says in a report on the Philippines that it believes these acts were "in connection with the ['War on Drugs'] campaign launched throughout the country."
The ICC prosecutor is holding a preliminary examination into allegations of extrajudicial killings and other abuses related to the "War on Drugs" in the Philippines.
The preliminary examination, different from a preliminary investigation in the Philippine justice system, may be finished by the first half of 2021, the office also says.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, reacting to the statement issued by the ICC prosecutor, says "drug-related killings, including vigilante killings, are not state-sanctioned."
"Many of those who died were killed during legitimate police operations which are currently undergoing investigation as directed by the president," Andanar says in a statement.
The office of Fatou Bensouda, chief prosecutor of the Hague-based International Criminal Court, is holding a preliminary examination, different from a preliminary investigation in the Philippine justice system, into alleged extrajudicial killings and other abuses related to the government's "War on Drugs".
In an update in December 2020, she says the examination may be finished by the first half of 2021.
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