Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque failed to obtain a seat in the 34-member International Law Commission (ILC), the body of experts that help develop and codify international law.
“My candidature at the ILC was a challenging campaign throughout but we met it head on. Unfortunately, we did not succeed,” he said in a statement posted on his social media account.
“I thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, for his nomination and unwavering support of my candidature. I thank the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the officers and staff of the Philippines’ Permanent Mission to the United Nations, for their steadfast professionalism and support,” he added.
Roque also extended his gratitude to his staff “for helping me continue to discharge my function as presidential spokesperson, even as I campaigned, and despite the difference in time zones. Thank you, my family and friends.”
The election of the ILC members for a five-year term was done through secret ballot at the the 32nd meeting of the United Nations General Assembly during its 76th session on Nov. 12, 2021.
The new members are nine nationals from African States, eight nationals from Asia-Pacific States, three nationals from Eastern European States, six nationals from Latin American and Caribbean States, and eight nationals from Western European and other States.
Asia-Pacific States
Roque was among 12 nominees from Asia-Pacific States. There were eight nominees who were chosen through an election in which 193 ballots were cast. Two ballots were declared invalid, and there were zero abstentions.
One hundred ninety-one Asia Pacific members were present to vote. The required simple majority of members present and voting was 96.
Bimal N. Patel of India gained the most votes with 163, followed by Vilawan Mangklatanakul (Thailand) with 162 votes, and Masahiko Asada representing Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with 154 votes.
The other elected officials among Asia Pacific States are: Hong Thao Nguyan (Vietnam), Huikang Huang (China), Keun-Gwan Lee (Republic of Korea), Andreas D. Mavroyiannis (Cyprus), and Munkh-Orgil Tsend (Mongolia).
The nominees from Lebanon (119 votes), Sri Lanka (112 votes) and the Philippines (87 votes) failed to gain the required votes. The Uzbekistan nominee withdrew prior to election.
Roque, despite his failed bid to gain a slot in the Commission, voiced hope that the international body will tackle pressing global issues.
“I wish the new members of the ILC success, especially as they tackle challenging issues such as rising sea levels and vaccine equality — issues which I will continue to advocate for as well,” said Roque.
Roque’s campaign for a seat on the ILC was opposed by several groups, including 24 lawyers from various countries.
The representatives from the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and its national associations called on the Permanent Missions not to vote for Roque whose candidacy to the international body they deemed “inappropriate and unacceptable”.
A separate group composed of 152 lawyers emphasized Roque’s close relations with President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity due to his campaign against illegal drugs.
“Harry has unbelievably defended and justified President Duterte’s pronouncements enabling extrajudicial killings, attacks on the rule of law and due process and on his unacceptable positions on human rights, justice, pandemic responses and good governance,” the lawyers wrote.
The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), meanwhile, accused Roque of being a “political partisan who actively demonstrated contempt for the rule of law and, with specific relevance to the Commission, has undermined the supremacy of human rights and international law.” —KG, GMA News
Harry Roque fails in bid for International Law Commission post
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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