Lawyer Kristina Conti, who is representing some of the surviving families of the Philippines’ drug war, has challenged new bar passers to assist willing victims in submitting their representations to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Conti is referring to the recent decision by the ICC appeals chamber, which allowed victims to file comments and views on the Philippine government’s petition against the resumption of an investigation into the drug war. The chamber directed interested victims to submit their representations by 8 May 2023. Conti said that there was no strict format for these views but that victims, which she classified as those harmed in the war on drugs, including widows/widowers and children of killed individuals, survivors of shootings, those in the “drug list”, forced to confess or point out users or pushers, and owners of raided homes, among others, would be expected to answer questions including whether they believe the ICC should step in and investigate and determine who is “most responsible”. Conti challenged the new lawyers to help the ICC in the pending appeal on the investigation of the Philippine ‘war on drugs’ by assisting victims in navigating such questions.
