Learning Exchange on Victim Representation with ICC Counsel Atty. Megan Hirst

On November 7, 2024, the University of the Philippines Law Center, in collaboration with the UP Institute of Human Rights (UP IHR), welcomed Atty. Megan Hirst, an internationally renowned counsel in international criminal and human rights law, for an in-depth learning exchange focused on victim representation and international accountability mechanisms. Atty. Hirst, who has over 15 years of experience in international criminal proceedings and human rights advocacy, is currently representing victims in the ICC’s investigations on crimes against the Rohingya in Myanmar and previously represented victims in the ICC’s Afghanistan investigation and the case against former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen. Her significant experience includes roles at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and extensive policy work in East Timor.

The Learning Exchange was opened by the UP IHR Officer-in-Charge and Senior Law Reform Specialist Atty. Daniel D. Lising, M.D., who emphasized the importance of understanding the restorative dimension of justice in international law, highlighting that victims should not only be witnesses but active participants in the process. His Welcome Remarks set the tone for an engaging discussion on the evolving role of victim lawyers and the challenges of representing victims at the investigative stage of the ICC.

In this event, Atty. Hirst engaged with certain groups of Philippine human rights advocates representing drug war victims involved in ongoing ICC investigations. The seminar provided a rare opportunity for local practitioners to gain insights from Atty. Hirst’s work on complex international cases and explore the impact of international accountability on the Philippine human rights landscape. Participants discussed challenges in victim representation and examined the role of international legal mechanisms in promoting justice.

Atty. Hirst emphasized the importance of empowering victims through legal representation and shared strategies for navigating international tribunals, managing resource constraints, and ensuring a strong advocacy framework for post-conflict human rights protection. This event underscores UP IHR’s commitment to advancing knowledge on international human rights issues and fostering meaningful dialogues that support justice initiatives in the Philippines and beyond.