International Criminal Court opens its doors to more than 750 visitors on Hague International Day
More than 750 people visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, 21 September 2014, when it opened its doors for The Hague International Day. Visitors engaged with speakers representing the Judges, the Prosecution, the Defence, the Legal Representatives of Victims, and the Registry during an interactive session held in the ICC Courtroom in The Hague (Netherlands).
"The Hague International Day is a great opportunity for the ICC to explain what we do, why our work is important, and how others can make their own contribution to our joint fight against impunity," said ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel. "As in previous years, many of those who visited us were residents of The Hague. We want our neighbours to get to know us, and we want to get to know the "Hagenaars" too. We may be an international court, but we need and seek local understanding, support and partnership".
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 participate in a one-hour presentation in the ICC public gallery. 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 organized 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 Sonia Robla, Chief of Public Information Section, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-8089 or 31 (0)6 46448726 or by e-mail at:
[email protected].
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