Russia respects PH withdrawal from ICC

FILE: Nov. 15, 2016 – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev (PCOO photo)

While critics slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC), he gained Russia as an ally in this decision.

“For us, we deeply respect it,” Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev said in an interview with ANC on March 21.

According to Khovaev, the ICC in their assessment is not a judicial board, with all its activities being “highly politicized.” Furthermore, he said that through this, they put political pressure on selective governments or countries. While Russia is a signatory, their government did not ratify the treaty.

“We cannot accept [that] certain approach that’s why my country decided to withdraw from their Rome Statute,”he said.

United Nations (UN) created the Rome Statute in 1998 which established the ICC.  According to the treaty, the ICC is a permanent institution that shall have the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern.

“I fully understand why your country took the same decision but as I have just explained, it’s up to the Philippine society to make comments, to make assessments, to make steps in this decision,” the ambassador added.

On another note, Molly Koscina, the press attaché of the United States (US) Embassy in Manila confirmed that the US is not a signatory of the Rome Statute, but is a partner with the court for upholding core American values like human rights, transparency, and rule of law.

“It’s important to cooperate, to work with the ICC. We’re aware that President Duterte made this call but we’re also aware it takes about a year for the withdraw to take effect, so there are many opportunities for greater conversations,” Koscina added, in an interview with ANC.

However, she refused to comment on the Duterte administration’s invitation of other signatories to withdraw, saying that it is an ‘internal decision.’

Last week, Duterte through a statement, announced his decision to withdraw the Philippines from the Rome Statute.

(Read: Duterte withdraws PH from ICC)