People detained by the International Criminal Court

People detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) are held in the ICC's detention centre, which is located within a Dutch prison in Scheveningen, The Hague. The ICC was established in 2002 as a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.United Nations Department of Public Information (December 2002). [http://www.un.org/News/facts/iccfact.htm "The International Criminal Court"] . Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] As of July 2008, it has issued public arrest warrants for twelve individuals, four of whom are currently in custody of the court.

The ICC detention centre is for holding people who have been charged with crimes, not for imprisoning convicted criminals. As such, all detainees are considered innocent until their guilt has been proven. Upon conviction by the ICC, criminals are transferred outside the Netherlands to serve their sentences.

Detention centre

Infobox Prison
prison_name = ICC detention centre


location = Scheveningen, The Hague
coordinates = coord|52.11061|4.301469|region:NL_type:landmark|display=inline
status =
classification =
capacity = 12
opened = 2006
closed =
managed_by = The ICC registrar
director =The ICC currently has twelve detention cells in a Dutch prison in Scheveningen, The Hague.Emma Thomasson (28 February 2006). " [http://www.publicinternationallaw.org/warcrimeswatch/archives/wcpw_vol01issue02.html#u2 ICC says cells ready for Uganda war crimes suspects] ". Reuters. Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] Suspects held by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia are held in the same prison and share some facilities, like the fitness room, but have no contact with suspects held by the ICC.

The ICC registrar is responsible for managing the detention centre. The rules governing detainment are contained in Chapter 6 of the "Regulations of the Court"International Criminal Court (26 May 2004). PDFlink| [http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/about/officialjournal/Regulations_of_the_Court_170604-EN.pdf "Regulations of the Court"] , Chapter 6. Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] and Chapter 5 of the "Regulations of the Registry".International Criminal Court (25 September 2006). PDFlink| [http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/about/officialjournal/ICC-BD_03-01-06-Rev1_English.pdf "Regulations of the Registry"] , Chapter 5. Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has unrestricted access to the detention centre.International Criminal Court (29 March 2006). PDFlink| [http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/about/officialjournal/ICC-PRES-02-01-06_English.pdf "Agreement between the International Criminal Court and the International Committee of the Red Cross on Visits to Persons deprived of Liberty Pursuant to the Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court"] , Article 4. Retrieved on 7 July 2008.]

Facilities

Each individual has his or her own toilet and washing area.International Criminal Court (April 2006). [http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/about/newsletter/07/en_04.html "FAQ about detention put to Terry Jackson, Chief Custody Officer of the ICC"] . ICC Newsletter No. 7. Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] They have access to a small gym and are offered training with a physical education instructor.

Detainees are provided with meals, but they may also cook for themselves, purchase food from the prison shop, and have ingredients ordered in. However, Charles Taylor's lawyers have complained that "the food which is served is completely eurocentric and not palatable to the African palate".

Each detained person has a personal computer in his or her cell, on which they can view material related to their case.International Criminal Court (2007). PDFlink| [http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/defence/ICC-DetentionCentre_en.pdf "ICC Detention Centre"] . Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] They are offered computer training, if required, and language courses.

Detainees' rights

Detainees are allowed to communicate in private with their defence teams and diplomatic representatives of their countries of origin. They are permitted visits from family members, wives and partners, and spiritual advisors.

List of detainees

The following table lists all the people who have been held at the ICC detention centre since it was established in 2006. The first person ever detained by the court was Thomas Lubanga, who arrived at the detention centre on 17 March 2006.International Criminal Court (17 March 2006). " [http://www.icc-cpi.int/pressrelease_details&id=132.html First arrest for the International Criminal Court] ". Retrieved on 7 July 2008.]

As of July 2008, the detention centre houses five suspects, including former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Taylor is being tried under the mandate and auspices of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, but his trial is being held at the ICC's facilities in The Hague because of political and security concerns about holding the trial in Freetown. [BBC News (20 June 2006). " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4848938.stm Q&A: Trying Charles Taylor] ". Retrieved on 7 July 2008.] Alexandra Hudson (31 May 2007). [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L31697300.htm "Warlord Taylor's home is lonely Dutch prison"] . Reuters. Retrieved on 7 July 2008.]

ee also

* List of people indicted by the International Criminal Court

Notes and references