ICC Appeals Chamber upholds jurisdiction over ex-Philippine president's alleged crimes against humanity case

• Next ruling on confirmation of charges expected by end of April

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber on Wednesday rejected an appeal by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The ruling confirms that the ICC retains jurisdiction over the case concerning alleged crimes against humanity linked to extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign in the Philippines.

It follows an earlier Pre-Trial Chamber decision that had already upheld the court’s authority over the case.

The Appeals Chamber decision implies that the jurisdictional challenges have been dismissed.

Judges voted separately on different legal issues, with unanimous decisions on some points and a dissenting vote on at least one aspect of the ruling.

The dissenting opinion was issued by Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia, who had also dissented in a previous jurisdiction ruling in 2023.

The decision was closely followed by victims of the drug war in the Philippines, many of whom watched the proceedings remotely.

With the jurisdiction issue resolved, the next stage of proceedings will focus on the confirmation of charges against Duterte.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber held confirmation hearings on February 27 and is expected to issue its decision by the end of April, following a 60-day deliberation period.

The chamber can either confirm some or all charges, request additional evidence, or decline to confirm the case.

Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity of murder in relation to at least 78 alleged victims during his presidency.

If the charges are confirmed, the case will proceed to trial before the ICC in The Hague.