The Philippine Online Chronicles

Independent panel Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) said Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is qualified to be a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Defensor-Santiago, a former trial court judge and expert in international law, is the Philippines' candidates for Judge to the ICC.

In a statement, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert Del Rosario said “the finding of the Independent Panel validates the confidence the Philippine Government has placed on the excellent qualifications and outstanding character Professor Dr. Miriam Defensor Santiago," the Philippines' candidate to the ICC.

"We welcome this very significant finding by the Independent Panel. It reinforces our efforts to be a part of this very important and historic international tribunal," Del Rosario added.

The Senator recently delivered a keynote address at the forum on “Advancing Philippine Contributions to International Criminal Justice.” She also answered a questionnaire prepared by the The CICC Independent Panel on her candidacy to the ICC.

The Independent Panel on International Criminal Court Judicial Elections Panel was established by the CICC in December 2010 to encourage States Parties to nominate the most qualified candidates to be judges of the ICC.

The Panel consists of experts in international law, international criminal law and procedure, humanitarian law and human rights law. It is composed of the following legal luminaries: Justice Richard Goldstone, former Chief Prosecutor of the UN International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia (Chair); Patricia Wald, former Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and former Judge of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; Hans Corell, former Judge of Appeal and former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel of the United Nations; Judge O-Gon Kwon, Judge and Vice President of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and former Presiding Judge at the Daegu High Court; and Dr. Cecilia Medina Quiroga, Director of the Human Rights Centre at the University of Chile and former Judge and President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Based on geographic representation, one of the six is reserved for Asia. One other country from Asia is competing for that seat. However, that country's candidate was not among those that the Independent Panel found as "Qualified."

Del Rosario further said “the ICC will play a significant role in ending impunity, preventing crimes against humanity and in strengthening international peace and security.” The DFA officially launched Santiago's bid to the ICC last August 30.

“Senator Defensor-Santiago has a proven track record in the Philippines and abroad. Her academic and professional achievements are exemplary and her personal commitment to the rule of law is most admirable. The UN recognized as much when it listed her in its 2000 roster of eminent and highly qualified experts on international law," said Philippine Permanent Mission Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan.

The elections to the ICC will be held during the tenth session of the Assembly of States Parties in New York on December 12-21.

Other candidates to the ICC are from Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Mauritius, Nigeria, Poland, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The ICC is made up of a Presidency, Judicial Divisions, Office of the Prosecutor, Registry, and other offices. If elected, Senator Defensor-Santiago would serve in the Judicial Division.

So far, the ICC has opened investigations into seven situations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Uganda; the Central African Republic; Darfur, Sudan; the Republic of Kenya; the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

Based on a treaty, the ICC is joined by 119 countries.