ICC - The ICC Presidency Approves Regulations of the Registry
Press Release
The ICC Presidency Approves Regulations of the Registry
ICC-CPI-20060419-134 English
The Regulations of the Registry of the International Criminal Court have been published today 19 April 2006. The Regulations were approved on 6 March by the Presidency of the Court in accordance with Rule 14 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. These Regulations provide for the practical arrangements for the judicial proceedings and the operation of the Registry itself.
Commenting on the Regulations, Mr Bruno Cathala, Registrar of the Court, emphasized that “drawing upon the experience of the ad hoc tribunals, for the first time in the history of international criminal jurisdictions, one single document compiles all regulations related to the judicial assistance provided by the Registry. These Regulations, innovative in many respects, have been conceived as a practical tool facilitating the day-to-day work of participants involved in Court proceedings. Additionally, it renders accessible the ICC proceedings to everyone interested in international criminal justice, regardless of their expertise.”
The Regulations are organised in a document of five chapters. Chapter 1 refers to the management of the Registry. Chapter two, deals with Court management aspects in relation to procedures, languages services and matters concerning the restriction and deprivation of liberty, among others. Chapter three addresses issues of assistance to witnesses and victims as well as participation of victims in the proceedings. Chapter four, deals with counsel issues and legal assistance paid by the Court. Chapter five provides the regulations related to detention issues and rights of detained persons.
Aiming at ensuring transparency and inclusiveness, during the drafting process of the Regulations, the Registry consulted widely with lawyers, academics, experts and representatives of non-governmental organisations. The Registry invited the Chambers and the Office of the Prosecutor to comment on the draft Regulations. The draft was also submitted to States Parties to the Rome Statute. Furthermore, an on-line consultation process on the Court’s website was conducted until 9 May 2005, and comments and observations from lawyers, academics and other interested parties were considered by the drafting Board for the Regulations that had been appointed in February 2004.
This innovative document constitutes a comprehensive and unique set of regulations that gives a global view of the functions of the Registry. They are structured in accordance with the Rome Statute, the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and the Regulations of the Court that were adopted on 26 May 2004.
The Registry provides administrative and operational support to the judiciary and to the Office of the Prosecutor. It has primary responsibility in the areas of counsel, witness protection, victims, communications and security. It helps to service the Court and to develop effective mechanisms to assist victims, witnesses and counsel with a view to safeguarding their rights in accordance with the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Regulations of the Registry
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For further information, please contact the ICC Spokesperson Ernest Sagaga on Tel. +31 (0)70 515 8762 / Mob. +31 (0)6 4644 8710