Information for victims
Updated on 27/03/2025
Background
Warrants of Arrest
On 7 March 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a warrant of arrest for Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the former president of the Republic of the Philippines, for the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 on the territory of the Philippines.
You can find more information on the case of the Prosecutor V. Rodrigo Roa Duterte here.
Scope of the investigation conducted by the Office of the Prosecutor into the Philippines Situation
On 7 October 2021, the Office of the Prosecutor, following judicial authorisation, announced the opening of an investigation into the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines, encompassing “crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed on the territory of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, as well as any other crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Court, which are sufficiently linked to these events.”
On 12 March 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor confirmed that the Office’s investigation in the Situation in the Republic of the Philippines continues.
The rights of victims to participate in proceedings and their communication with the Court
Before the ICC victims who have suffered harm in relation to crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of the Court (at the situation stage) or that fall within the scope of a case (in case proceedings) are entitled to participate in proceedings and, in case of conviction, to also request reparations. The right to participate means that victims can present their views and concerns to the Court, at stages of proceedings considered appropriate by the Judges, where their personal interests are affected.
For information on victims’ participation in the case of the Prosecutor V. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, please click here.
At the investigation stage, victims can communicate with the Court in a number of ways:
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Anyone (e.g. individual, organisation or State) can send information to the Office of the Prosecutor regarding any alleged crimes in the Philippines Situation falling under the jurisdiction of the Court. Persons with such information, including affected communities of the situation, can communicate to the Office of the Prosecutor any relevant information for the purpose of the investigation on the following dedicated portal: https://otplink.icc-cpi.int/
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Victims of violence related to the Philippines Situation that may amount to crimes falling under ICC jurisdiction may also reach out to the Court with a view to being recognized as victims for the purpose of participation in criminal proceedings against the suspect.
For more information about victims’ rights before the ICC, victims can contact the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (“VPRS”) - the section within the ICC Registry responsible for assisting victims in the process of applying for participation in judicial proceedings, or for reparations in case of a conviction, at [email protected].
In particular, victims can fill in and submit to the ICC Registry application forms for participation in proceedings and for reparations. The Registry receives these forms and transmits them in original form to the judges (and to the parties in redacted form) when judicial proceedings arise, and if ordered to do so.
Please note that before filling in a victim application form, it is advised that victims and survivors or their representatives contact the VPRS for further information and advice as to what participation in ICC proceedings generally entails. In addition, the VPRS provides training and advice as to how to fill in the form correctly (see also the written Guidelines below), which is very important for victims' expectations to be met with adequate Registry advice.
- Victim application forms can be found below, alongside relevant guidelines. Currently, all relevant documentation is accessible in English and French; versions in the relevant situation-related languages will follow soon.
Application Forms
Application Form for Individuals: English, Français
Application Form for Individuals (fillable PDF): English, Français
Application Form for Organizations: English, Français
Application Form for Organizations - Fillable: English, Français
Victims’ safety and security
Please note that the security of victims is crucial. It is important to take preventive measures such as avoiding mentioning their involvement with the ICC to others/publicly. It is also important to avoid anything that could expose victims and put them or other people at risk, e.g. talking to the media, posting on social media, etc. about their contacts with the ICC.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE ICC
The Court’s Structure
The Court is composed of four organs: (i) the Presidency; (ii) Chambers (Appeals Division, Trial Division, Pre-Trial Division); (iii) the Office of the Prosecutor; and (iv) the Registry. The Office of the Prosecutor acts independently as a separate organ. The Registry is composed of many sections, including, the Victims Participation and Reparation Section, the Victims and Witnesses Section and the Public Information and Outreach Section. The Office of Public Counsel for Victims and the Trust Fund for Victims are independent offices who are also working on victims related matters.
The Court’s Jurisdiction
The general mission of the ICC is to investigate and, where warranted, prosecute individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The Court is participating in a global fight to end impunity, and through international criminal justice, the ICC aims to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes and to help prevent these crimes from happening again.
The ICC does not prosecute States, Governments or political parties. It can only investigate and prosecute natural persons of 18 years of age or above. Its mandate is to investigate and, where warranted, prosecute individuals for their alleged individual criminal responsibility for mass crimes which fall under the ICC jurisdiction.
The Principle of Complementarity
The principle of complementarity is one of the main pillars for the Court’s operations. If a State which has jurisdiction over the situation/case investigates, prosecutes and tries the same person for substantially the same conduct, then the ICC shall defer to the domestic judicial authorities, provided that the State is not unwilling and/or unable to genuinely carry out the proceedings.
Cooperation
The Court does not have police or executive forces who implement the Court’s decisions and orders (such as a warrant of arrest). The ICC is dependent on the States Parties to cooperate fully with the Court. The Court may also invite any State not party to the Rome Statute to provide assistance to the Court.
For further general information on the structure and functioning of the Court, as well as on the crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC please click here.