Prosecution's theory, key evidence expected in ICC confirmation of charges hearing

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to commence today, Feb. 23 (Monday). Constitutional law expert and former Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law Dean Mel Sta. Maria anticipates a broad outline of the prosecution's theory will be presented, highlighting key pieces of evidence and the concept of organizational or state policy. Under the Rome Statute of the ICC, crimes against humanity require multiple acts, more than just isolated incidents. Prosecutors are expected to argue that the alleged killings followed a pattern, not random events. Sta. Maria notes that the ICC may take judicial notice of facts of common knowledge. This means the tribunal can acknowledge widely known or undisputed facts, including selected those in media reports and videos, without requiring formal proof. More on this in the full episode of #AtTheForefront.