Metro Manila, Philippines – Germany would welcome any future decision by the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke said, while noting what he described as progress by the Marcos administration in addressing human rights concerns.
In an interview on The Newsmaker, Pfaffernoschke said Germany recognizes efforts by the current administration to improve accountability and human rights protections, but believes there is still room for further progress.
“We acknowledge this administration for the progress that has already been achieved. And there is progress,” the ambassador said.
Pfaffernoschke emphasized that Germany would view a return to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, as a highly positive development.
“We would like to have them back in the ICC because that would help also to be credible towards the world regarding accountability for human rights violations,” he said.
Asked whether rejoining the Rome Statute would be beneficial for Manila, the envoy noted that participation in international accountability mechanisms remains paramount.
“I think it’s important because only then you are really a full member of the international community when it comes to international accountability for human rights violations,” he added.
The ambassador’s remarks come as Germany and the Philippines seek to deepen cooperation across a range of areas—including security, trade, climate action, and people-to-people exchanges—ahead of the historic state visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Manila.
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under former president Rodrigo Duterte after the ICC prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into allegations linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Duterte is currently facing an ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity.
