International Criminal Court opens its doors to more than 800 visitors on The Hague International Day
More than 800 people visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, 25 September 2016, when it opened its doors for The Hague International Day. Visitors engaged with ICC representatives on a wide range of justice-related issues during an interactive tour, including the Public Gallery of the Courtroom, at the seat of the Court in The Hague (Netherlands).
This year's open day event was the first in the ICC's new permanent premises, which officially opened in April this year.
"The world has high expectations of the ICC, with good reason. And we are doing our very best to answer those expectations, by providing high-quality justice and fair and expeditious trials, while we also pay attention to the needs of victims and their communities", stated ICC President Judge Sivlia Fernández.
Women, men and children of different ages and nationalities, including Dutch nationals and members of the international community based in The Hague, had the opportunity to take a half-hour tour, visit the ICC Public Gallery and engage with ICC staff. Visitors learned about the roles of ICC Judges, Prosecution, Defence, the Legal Representatives of Victims and witnesses testifying before the Court. Questions from visitors focused on the various aspects of the Court's work, including its mandate, structure and ongoing cases.
The Hague International Day is organised on a yearly basis by the Municipality of The Hague – the Court's host city – and gives the public the opportunity to learn more about the functioning and aims of the various international institutions and non-governmental organisations based in the city. The Hague has been hosting the ICC since 2002. The city and its surrounding area are now home to 160 international organisations.
The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected].
You can also follow the Court's activities on YouTube and Twitter.