Transcribing for an international court’s legal proceedings is no easy task.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is actively looking for freelance transcribers fluent in either Filipino or Cebuano. Although the tribunal began searching for individuals with these language skills as early as April 2024, the recent arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte sparked increased interest in these roles. Duterte, whose primary language is Cebuano or Bisaya, is facing charges of crimes against humanity — including cases of alleged torture, rape, and murder that took place during his presidential administration between 2016 and 2019.
“Once credited, freelance transcribers may be offered contracts for the provision of remote transcription services in keeping with the operational needs of the Unit,” the ICC wrote.
In the usual Pinoy fashion, Filipinos have been quick to find humor in the court’s job posting. “Apply na guys, chance na natin nakapunta [sic] sa Netherlands,” wrote one X user referring to the fact that the former president is currently being held in The Hague. “Wow can I apply?” Another X user commented on the announcement.
Should You Really Apply?
Jokes aside, what does the job of an official ICC transcriber really entail?
According to the job posting, the transcriber’s basic responsibilities seem simple at the outset. Other than producing self-reviewed transcripts based on audio and video recordings, the transcriber is expected to deliver transcriptions “swiftly and accurately.”
The real stress of the job, however, stems from the nature of those recordings. “Freelance transcribers must understand that the audio/video material outsourced for transcription may on occasion risk being of an upsetting or disturbing nature,” wrote the ICC.
Assuming that transcribers will be working specifically on recordings from Duterte’s ICC hearing (the court has made no definite connection between the job posting and the ongoing case), those hired may be exposed to deeply traumatic and violent content. The ICC has investigated an estimated 30,000 deaths and alleged human rights violations related to Duterte’s “war on drugs” campaign during his presidency. Transcribed recordings could include graphic and harrowing accounts of extrajudicial killings, torture, and other violent acts, subjecting transcribers to the disturbing reality of systemic violence and brutality.
Any role involving legal interpretation, whether as a translator or transcriber, carries substantial emotional pressure. A 2023 study by Hunan Normal University found that these jobs often result in high levels of burnout, along with “overwhelming stress and anxiety.” This is especially true within the ICC, where interpreters have highlighted the demanding and challenging nature of the work. One ICC interpreter, Ahmed El Khamloussy, spoke about the emotional toll of hearing witnesses recount horrific acts in court. “It’s a tough but gratifying job,” El Khamloussy shared in an interview with Courthouse News Service.
