by Kimberly Joy V. Naparan
On its second day, San Beda College of Law-Human Rights Advocates’ Suri’t Tindig series shed light on international human rights enforcement mechanisms, specifically on prosecution for the most serious crimes of international concern.
Titled “The Bigger Picture: Seeking Justice Through the International Criminal Court,” today’s program focused on the Hague court’s ongoing investigation on President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” which is in its fifth year of implementation.
Human rights lawyer Atty. Jose Angelo “Anjo” David discussed the functions of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as well as the status of ICC proceedings on crimes against humanity in the Philippines.
He also spoke on the implications of the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute, which is the treaty established by the ICC that provides for its jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the four core international crimes that include crimes against humanity.
Atty. Maria Kristina “Krissy” Conti, another human rights advocate, meanwhile, gave an overview on the ICC investigation on President Duterte’s “war on drugs.”
She tackled the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power of 1985. She also highlighted the role of the ICC in protecting the safety, well-being, dignity, and privacy of victims and witnesses.
Atty. David graduated from the San Beda University College of Law as Class Valedictorian in 2014. He placed 6th in the 2015 Bar Examinations. While he was in San Beda, he taught Constitutional and International Human Rights Law, and Public International Law.
Atty. Consti is a member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers. She is a graduate from the University of the Philippines College of Law. She is an associate of the Public Interest Law center where she works mainly on criminal defense representing political prisoners.
Suri’t Tindig runs from December 17 to 20.
For the next two days, topics on voter education and perspective of human rights from various professions will be put onto the spotlight by esteemed speakers and legal luminaries.
THE BARRISTER 