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.[1] As of January 2012, it has issued public arrest warrants for 18 individuals, five of whom are currently in custody of the court. A sixth individual was released after the confirmation of charges against him was declined.
The ICC detention centre is for holding people who have been charged with crimes, not for imprisoning convicted criminals.[2] As such, all detainees are considered innocent until their guilt has been proven.[2] Upon conviction by the ICC, criminals are transferred outside the Netherlands to serve their sentences.[2]
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| Location | Scheveningen, The Hague |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 |
| Opened | 2006 |
| Managed by | The ICC registrar |
The ICC currently has twelve detention cells in a Dutch prison in Scheveningen, The Hague.[3] 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.[3]
The ICC registrar is responsible for managing the detention centre.[4] The rules governing detainment are contained in Chapter 6 of the Regulations of the Court[4] and Chapter 5 of the Regulations of the Registry.[5] The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has unrestricted access to the detention centre.[6]
Each individual has his own toilet and washing area.[7] They have access to a small gym and are offered training with a physical education instructor.[7]
Detainees are provided with meals, but they may also cook for themselves, purchase food from the prison shop, and have ingredients ordered in.[2][8] However, Charles Taylor's lawyers have complained that "the food which is served is completely eurocentric and not palatable to the African palate".[8]
Each detainee has a personal computer in his cell, on which he can view material related to their case.[2] They are offered computer training, if required,[2] and language courses.[7]
Detainees are allowed to communicate in private with their defence teams and diplomatic representatives of their countries of origin.[2] They are permitted visits from family members, wives and partners, and spiritual advisors.[2]
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 March 17, 2006.[9]
As of January 2012, the detention centre houses six 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.[8][10]
Callixte Mbarushimana was released on 23 December 2011.[11]
| Name | Arrived | Departed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Lubanga | March 17, 2006[9] | ||
| Charles Taylor | June 20, 2006[12] | Tried by the Special Court for Sierra Leone but detained at the ICC detention centre.[12] | |
| Germain Katanga | October 17, 2007[13] | ||
| Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui | February 7, 2008[14] | ||
| Jean-Pierre Bemba | July 3, 2008[15] | ||
| Callixte Mbarushimana | January 25, 2011[16] | December 23, 2011[11] | |
| Laurent Gbagbo | November 30, 2011[17] |
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