ICC cancels July 14 status conference for Rodrigo Duterte's case

The International Criminal Court has canceled the status conference for former president Rodrigo Duterte scheduled for July 14.

In its statement, the Trial Chamber III announced that it would no longer proceed with the third status conference on Wednesday.

“The Chamber decided as such in light of the parties and participants indicating that they do not have specific matters which require attention at this stage of the proceeding,” it said in the statement.

The next status conference has been scheduled on Sept. 7, Oct. 13, and Nov. 2. Judge Joanna Korner, the presiding judge of his case, has previously said that hearings may be canceled if there are no matters that need to be discussed.

She also noted that the Sept. 7 conference is expected to be particularly important because reports are expected to have been submitted by then. She added that the court also expects Duterte to attend that hearing, unless prevented by a medical issue.

A status conference is a procedural hearing where the ICC Trial Chamber discusses organizational and procedural matters to ensure the fair and efficient conduct of a case. It may cover schedules, evidence, victims' participation, witness protection, filing deadlines, security arrangements, and other issues related to the proceedings.