CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ og: http://ogp.me/ns# rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# schema: http://schema.org/ sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema# "> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.irmct.org/en/about/functions/requests-assistance" /> <meta name="description" content=" Judicial and State authorities from Rwanda, States within the former Yugoslavia, or other States may request assistance from the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) or from the Registry. These requests will generally pertain to cases directly related to the conduct of ICTR, ICTY or Mechanism proceedings or to investigations or judicial proceedings pending in a State. " /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 9 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="icon" href="/sites/default/themes/custom/irmct/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.irmct.org/en/about/functions/requests-assistance" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" href="https://www.irmct.org/fr/le-mecanisme-en-bref/fonctions/demandes-d-assistance" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="bcs" href="https://www.irmct.org/bcs/o-mehanizmu/funkcije/zahtjevi-za-pomoc" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="rw" href="https://www.irmct.org/rw/abo-turibo/imirimo/inkunga-iterwa-inkiko-zibihugu" /> <script>window.a2a_config=window.a2a_config||{};a2a_config.callbacks=[];a2a_config.overlays=[];a2a_config.templates={};</script> <title>Assistance to National Jurisdictions | UNITED NATIONS | International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_1zu_glgD8fHzej46INlYzLg0PtEDQT72bqMxYBwKCSU.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@3.4.1/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" integrity="sha256-bZLfwXAP04zRMK2BjiO8iu9pf4FbLqX6zitd+tIvLhE=" crossorigin="anonymous" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@unicorn-fail/drupal-bootstrap-styles@0.0.2/dist/3.4.0/8.x-3.x/drupal-bootstrap.min.css" integrity="sha512-tGFFYdzcicBwsd5EPO92iUIytu9UkQR3tLMbORL9sfi/WswiHkA1O3ri9yHW+5dXk18Rd+pluMeDBrPKSwNCvw==" crossorigin="anonymous" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_MRCg8bNcZXdU4QRJf9u_VKsmhjDRAv8JOMuuS1xyK8o.css" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com"> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Fira+Sans:ital,wght@0,100;0,200;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,700;0,800;1,100;1,200;1,400&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/sites/default/themes/custom/irmct/css/icomoon-mict.css" rel="stylesheet"> <script src="https://use.fontawesome.com/bfd548c131.js"></script> </head> <body class="path-node page-node-type-page has-glyphicons"> <a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable skip-link"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="container" role="search"> <div class="region region-search"> <section class="language-switcher-language-url block block-language block-language-blocklanguage-interface clearfix" id="block-irmct-languageswitcher-2" role="navigation"> <div class="language-switcher-language-url block block-language block-language-blocklanguage-interface clearfix language-flex" id="block-irmct-languageswitcher-2" role="navigation" > <ul class="links"><li hreflang="en" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709" class="en is-active"><a href="/en/about/functions/requests-assistance" class="language-link is-active" hreflang="en" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709">en</a></li><li hreflang="fr" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709" class="fr"><a href="/fr/le-mecanisme-en-bref/fonctions/demandes-d-assistance" class="language-link" hreflang="fr" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709">fr</a></li><li hreflang="bcs" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709" class="bcs"><a href="/bcs/o-mehanizmu/funkcije/zahtjevi-za-pomoc" class="language-link" hreflang="bcs" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709">bcs</a></li><li hreflang="rw" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709" class="rw"><a href="/rw/abo-turibo/imirimo/inkunga-iterwa-inkiko-zibihugu" class="language-link" hreflang="rw" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8709">rw</a></li></ul> </div> </section> <div id="block-search" class="block block-block-content block-block-content623c5b90-2267-4f7a-a75c-476d4513a360"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><form action="/en/search-results" id="search-form" method="get"> <div class="input-group input-group-sm"><input class="form-control" name="as_q" placeholder="Search" type="text" /><div class="input-group-btn"><button class="btn btn-default" type="submit"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-search"></span></button></div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container col-xs-12" role="heading"> <div class="region region-header container"> <div class="logo-wrapp"> <a href="/en" title="Home" rel="home"> <img src="/sites/default/files/color/irmct-c7dd1255/logo.svg" width="70" height="60" alt="Home" /></a> <a class="visible-xs visible-sm hidden-md hidden-lg" href="/en" title="Home" rel="home"><p class="logo-small visible-xs visible-sm hidden-md hidden-lg"></p></a> <a class="hidden-xs hidden-sm visible-md visible-lg" href="/en">UNITED NATIONS<br />International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> <header class="navbar navbar-default container" id="navbar" role="banner"> <div class="region region-navigation"> <section id="block-navigation" class="hidden-xs visible-sm visible-md visible-lg block block-superfish block-superfishmain clearfix"> <ul id="superfish-main" class="menu sf-menu sf-main sf-navbar sf-style-blue"> <li id="main-menu-link-contentf5cf522d-7a00-4078-81ce-5144445d01ac" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/en/about" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">About</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-content6cd77cdc-2087-4836-982f-1eb3e6640aee" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/functions" class="sf-depth-2">Functions</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content7a010794-96e1-4db2-ad87-b90663dfc45f" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/organization" class="sf-depth-2">Organization</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-contente57cdb17-c568-472a-ae26-1ef7c94f478d" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/principals" class="sf-depth-2">Principals</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-contentddf72845-d857-4164-9e11-cca3b6094827" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/judges" class="sf-depth-2">Judges</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content909ecef5-654d-49b7-b9c7-4ce6d80a3425" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/en/about/defence" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Defence</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-content0ad0ad4f-3723-4407-b84c-d1fe8a54a68f" class="sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/defence/defence-counsel-qualifications" class="sf-depth-3">Counsel assignment, qualifications, and remuneration</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-content557db91d-5696-4552-ae94-cc162843b891" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/visits" class="sf-depth-2">Visits</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-content19d0a66b-5850-49b2-8810-1df0b31c65bc" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/en/cases" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Cases</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-content579f3ce8-d996-4f3e-b5b2-de9c7f77149f" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/cases#all-cases" class="sf-depth-2">All proceedings </a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content0b05ac57-c1db-44f6-8524-5cf641741590" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/cases/court-calendar-and-official-holidays" class="sf-depth-2">Court Calendar</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content3129588c-0704-449c-8fd3-eec54248711e" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/cases/searching-fugitives" class="sf-depth-2">Searching for the Fugitives</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-content31de64fb-bd4b-4aab-8e66-fd4b8d527e45" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/documents" class="sf-depth-1">Documents</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content9dafc9f8-0677-4a88-9676-ad304b3cf712" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/en/news" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">News</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-contentd0cf837c-f646-4efa-9d34-958695f0cbd0" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/news/news-archive" class="sf-depth-2">News Archive</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-contentcd5aaa0f-9cd4-4d9b-a34a-c65946297b07" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/news/statements-and-speeches" class="sf-depth-2">Statements and Speeches</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content165e7711-ccc7-4274-a590-24bf7843adbe" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/news/press-resources" class="sf-depth-2">Press Resources</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-contentacf14f00-7a6c-42d6-bfe2-e2891c9de5d4" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/recruitment" class="sf-depth-1">Recruitment</a></li> </ul> </section> <section id="block-navigation-2" class="visible-xs hidden-sm hidden-md hidden-lg block block-superfish block-superfishmain clearfix"> <ul id="superfish-main--2" class="menu sf-menu sf-main sf-vertical sf-style-white"> <li id="main-menu-link-contentf5cf522d-7a00-4078-81ce-5144445d01ac--2" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/en/about" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">About</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-content6cd77cdc-2087-4836-982f-1eb3e6640aee--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/functions" class="sf-depth-2">Functions</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content7a010794-96e1-4db2-ad87-b90663dfc45f--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/organization" class="sf-depth-2">Organization</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-contente57cdb17-c568-472a-ae26-1ef7c94f478d--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/principals" class="sf-depth-2">Principals</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-contentddf72845-d857-4164-9e11-cca3b6094827--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/judges" class="sf-depth-2">Judges</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content909ecef5-654d-49b7-b9c7-4ce6d80a3425--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/defence" class="sf-depth-2">Defence</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content557db91d-5696-4552-ae94-cc162843b891--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/about/visits" class="sf-depth-2">Visits</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-content19d0a66b-5850-49b2-8810-1df0b31c65bc--2" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/en/cases" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Cases</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-content579f3ce8-d996-4f3e-b5b2-de9c7f77149f--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/cases#all-cases" class="sf-depth-2">All proceedings </a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content0b05ac57-c1db-44f6-8524-5cf641741590--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/cases/court-calendar-and-official-holidays" class="sf-depth-2">Court Calendar</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content3129588c-0704-449c-8fd3-eec54248711e--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/cases/searching-fugitives" class="sf-depth-2">Searching for the Fugitives</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-content31de64fb-bd4b-4aab-8e66-fd4b8d527e45--2" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/documents" class="sf-depth-1">Documents</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content9dafc9f8-0677-4a88-9676-ad304b3cf712--2" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/en/news" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">News</a><ul><li id="main-menu-link-contentd0cf837c-f646-4efa-9d34-958695f0cbd0--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/news/news-archive" class="sf-depth-2">News Archive</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-contentcd5aaa0f-9cd4-4d9b-a34a-c65946297b07--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/news/statements-and-speeches" class="sf-depth-2">Statements and Speeches</a></li><li id="main-menu-link-content165e7711-ccc7-4274-a590-24bf7843adbe--2" class="sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/news/press-resources" class="sf-depth-2">Press Resources</a></li></ul></li><li id="main-menu-link-contentacf14f00-7a6c-42d6-bfe2-e2891c9de5d4--2" class="sf-depth-1 sf-no-children"><a href="/en/recruitment" class="sf-depth-1">Recruitment</a></li> </ul> </section> </div> </header> <div class="container highlighted"> <div class="region region-highlighted"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content"> <div class="row"> <section class="col-sm-9"> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="region region-content"> <h1 class="page-header"> <span property="schema:name">Assistance to National Jurisdictions</span> </h1> <div data-history-node-id="8709" class="row bs-1col-stacked node node--type-page node--view-mode-full"> <div class="col-sm-12 bs-region bs-region--main"> <div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><img alt="Flags" class="img-responsive irmct-shadow" src="/sites/default/files/images/content/assis_national_jurisdictions.jpg" width="100%" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Judicial and State authorities from Rwanda, States within the former Yugoslavia, or other States may request assistance from the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) or from the Registry. These requests will generally pertain to cases directly related to the conduct of ICTR, ICTY or Mechanism proceedings or to investigations or judicial proceedings pending in a State.</p> <p> </p> <div style="clear:both;padding:15px; border:1px solid #D1C1B1;"> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Requests for Assistance typically pertain to the below-listed categories, and may be submitted on behalf of judicial or State authorities under Article 28 of the <a href="/sites/default/files/documents/101222_sc_res1966_statute_en.pdf">Statute of the Mechanism</a>.</p> <p>In addition, Rule 86(H) of the <a href="/en/documents/rules-procedure-and-evidence">Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a> of the Mechanism allows victims or witnesses for whom protective measures have been ordered in proceedings before the ICTR, the ICTY, or the Mechanism to seek to rescind, vary, or augment their protective measures by applying to the President. Parties to a proceeding in another jurisdiction authorised by an appropriate judicial authority may also seek variation of protective measures under Rule 86(H). </p> <p>Other requests from individuals will not be considered as Requests for Assistance. Copies of public court documents can be found on the respective websites and databases of the <a href="https://unictr.irmct.org/" target="_blank">ICTR</a>, <a href="https://icty.org" target="_blank">ICTY</a>, and the Mechanism.</p> </div> <h3 class="section-subtitle">Requests for Assistance addressed to the Office of the Prosecutor</h3> <p>Judicial and State authorities investigating and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide may contact the Office of the Prosecutor of the Mechanism for any request for assistance regarding information collected by Prosecutors of the ICTY, the ICTR, or the Mechanism. Requests can be made to the Office of the Prosecutor in either The Hague or Arusha.</p> <p><a href="/sites/default/files/documents/pd_mict13_en.pdf">Prosecutor’s regulation no 2 (2013) on requests for assistance by national authorities or international organisations to the Prosecutor</a></p> <h3 class="section-subtitle">Applications under Rule 86(H) and Rule 87 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence</h3> <p>Applications under Rule 86(H) and Rule 87 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence are required to be addressed to the President and filed in accordance with the <a href="/en/documents/practice-directions">Practice Direction on Filings Made Before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals</a>.</p> <p>Applications to the President under Rules 86 and 87 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence should be accompanied by a <a href="/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06-29-Transmission-sheet-for-filing-documents-with-the-Mechanism.doc">transmission sheet</a>, filled out according to the <a href="/sites/default/files/documents/2023-06-29-IRMCT-transmission-sheet-instructions-en.doc">relevant instructions</a>.</p> <h3 class="section-subtitle">Requests for Assistance addressed to and/or through the Registry</h3> <p>The <a href="https://www.irmct.org/sites/default/files/documents/Guide%20on%20Submitting%20Requests%20for%20Assistance%20Addressed%20to%20and%20or%20through%20the%20Registry.pdf">Guide on Submitting Requests for Assistance to and/or through the Registry</a> provides an overview of requests for assistance ("RFA") and information on the processing of RFAs.</p> <p>In general, Requests for Assistance typically include requests for:</p> <div> <h4 class="section-subtitle">Certified copies of public ICTY, ICTR or Mechanism court documents</h4> <div> <p>(These documents typically include transcripts, audio-video recordings, exhibits, motions, orders, judgements, etc.)<br /><br /> The request shall be submitted to the Registry and are required to include the following information:</p> <ol style="list-style:inside; list-style-type:lower-roman; line-height:30px"><li>the name of the applicant and the competent authority conducting the investigation or judicial proceeding;</li> <li>the jurisdiction of the Mechanism to implement the request;</li> <li>the specific details in relation to the request (such details should include case name/number, date of testimony of the witness, witness name/pseudonym, exhibit number, tendering party, date of admission, description of exhibit);</li> <li>the precise purpose for which the assistance is sought;</li> <li>the specification of any time-limit to be complied with;</li> <li>any other information necessary to the processing of the request; and</li> <li>an indication to the effect that the letter is meant as a request.</li> </ol> Unless otherwise ordered by a Single Judge or a Chamber of the Mechanism, a request that fails to conform to the requirements identified above may be returned to the requesting party with a request for any additional information the Mechanism deems necessary.<br /><br /> Unless otherwise ordered by a Single Judge or a Chamber of the Mechanism, the Registry shall determine the form of certification or authentication required from the party seeking the request for assistance.<br /><br /> Unless otherwise agreed with the Registry or determined by a Single Judge or a Chamber of the Mechanism, the ordinary administrative costs of a request for assistance to be implemented by the Mechanism shall be borne by the Mechanism, and expenses of a substantial or extraordinary nature shall be borne by the requesting party<br /><br /> Unless otherwise agreed with the Registry or determined by a Single Judge or Chamber of the Mechanism, the Registry shall determine the time frame for responding to the request. A requesting party may petition for the urgent execution of the request, in which case the basis for the urgency should be specified.</div> <h4 class="section-subtitle">Variation of Protective Measures</h4> <div> <p>Pursuant to Rule 86 (H), a Judge or Bench in another jurisdiction, parties in another jurisdiction authorised by an appropriate judicial authority, or a victim or witness for whom protective measures have been ordered by the ICTY, the ICTR or the Mechanism may seek to rescind, vary, or augment protective measures ordered in proceedings before the ICTY, the ICTR or the Mechanism, by applying to the President of the Mechanism.<br /><br /> Applications may include requests for access to confidential court documents, for example exhibits or filings, or requests for witness testimony or protected witness information.<br /><br /> Applications submitted pursuant to Rule 86 (H) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence shall be submitted in accordance with the <a href="/en/documents/practice-directions">Practice Direction on Procedure for the Variation of Protective Measures Pursuant to Rule 86 (H) of the Mechanism’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence for Access to Confidential ICTY, ICTR and Mechanism Material.</a><br /><br /> Applications are required to include the following information:</p> <ol><li>the fact that the application is made pursuant to Rule 86(H) on the cover page of the application;</li> <li>the name of the applicant and, if applicable, the competent authority conducting the investigation or court proceeding;</li> <li>the name of the ICTY, ICTR or Mechanism proceeding from which the material is sought and the case number whenever possible;</li> <li>the specific details related to the material that is being sought; for example, the date of the witness testimony, the witness name or the pseudonym used to identify the witness, and the exhibit number;</li> <li>the relevance of the material sought to the investigation or court proceeding of the applicant, if applicable;</li> <li>the precise purpose for which the material is sought;</li> <li>the specification of any time-limit or urgency;</li> <li>a clear indication of whether the application is public or confidential; and</li> <li>any other information necessary to the processing of the application, including proof of authorization by an appropriate judicial authority, if applicable.</li> </ol><p>Applications may be submitted using the <em>pro forma</em> document for <a href="/sites/default/files/documents/221102-rule-86h-application-pro-forma_en.doc">Application for Variation of Protective Measures Pursuant to Rule 86(H)</a>.</p> <div style="padding:15px; border:1px solid #D1C1B1;"> <p><strong>Note: Guidance for Filing Applications for Variation of Protective Measures:</strong></p> <p><a href="/en/documents">Article 5 of the Transitional Arrangements</a> annexed to the Statute of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals governs which institution has jurisdiction over protection of victims and witnesses while the Mechanism coexists with the ICTY and the ICTR. Applications for variation of protective measures should be made to the relevant institution in accordance with the Transitional Arrangements:</p> <p>For variation of protection measures relating to witnesses who have appeared in cases currently before the ICTY or ICTR, applications should be made to the President of the ICTY under <a href="/en/documents" target="_blank">Rule 75(H) of the ICTY Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a>, or the relevant Chamber of the ICTR under <a href="/en/documents" target="_blank">Rule 75(G) of the ICTR Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a>, respectively. (See Article 5(1) of the Transitional Arrangements.)</p> <p>For variation of protection measures relating to witnesses who have appeared in cases currently before the Mechanism, applications should be made to the President of the Mechanism under <a href="/en/documents">Rule 86(H) of the Mechanism Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a>. (See Article 5(2) of the Transitional Arrangements.)</p> <p>For variation of protection measures relating to witnesses who have appeared in ICTY or ICTR cases that are now closed, applications should be made to the President of the Mechanism under <a href="/en/documents">Rule 86(H) of the Mechanism Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a>. (See Article 5(4) of the Transitional Arrangements.)</p> For variation of protection measures relating to witnesses who have appeared in two or more cases over which the Mechanism and the ICTY or ICTR, respectively, have competence pursuant to the Transitional Arrangements, the application should be made to the President of the Mechanism under <a href="/en/documents">Rule 86(H) of the Mechanism Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a>. (See Article 5(3) of the Transitional Arrangements.)</div> </div> <h4 class="section-subtitle">Taking of statements or testimony from a detainee for investigations or proceedings in criminal, civil, or administrative matters pending in a State</h4> <div> <p><strong>• Criminal cases relating to violations of international humanitarian law</strong><br /><br /> Pursuant to Rule 87, a Judge or Bench in another jurisdiction or parties in another jurisdiction authorised by an appropriate judicial authority (“Requesting Authority”) may request the assistance of the Mechanism in obtaining the testimony of a person under the authority of the Mechanism in ongoing proceedings in the jurisdiction of the Requesting Authority involving violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991 or the territory of Rwanda in 1994, or committed by Rwandan citizens in the territory of Rwanda’s neighbours in 1994. Pursuant to this rule, the Mechanism can assist the Requesting Authority in making the arrangements for the testimony of a detainee from the Mechanism’s premises by video-conference link. If legal provisions in the jurisdiction of the Requesting Authority do not allow for the testimony to be received by way of video-conference link, the Mechanism may consider to render the assistance by way of granting the Requesting Authority access to the person to be heard on the premises of the Mechanism or the transfer of the person under Rule 88.<br /><br /> Applications pursuant to Rule 87 shall be submitted to the President of the Mechanism and are required to include the following information:</p> <ol style="list-style:inside; list-style-type:lower-roman; line-height:30px;"><li>the fact that the application is made pursuant to Rule 87 on the cover page of the application;</li> <li>the name of the applicant and the competent authority conducting the investigation or court proceeding;</li> <li>the name of the detainee from whom assistance is sought;</li> <li>the relevance of the testimony sought to the investigation or court proceeding of the applicant;</li> <li>the precise purpose for which the testimony is sought;</li> <li>the legal provision under national law pursuant to which the testimony is sought;</li> <li>the date or time frame within which the requested assistance is sought;</li> <li>any other information necessary to the processing of the application.</li> </ol><p><strong>• Criminal cases generally</strong><br /><br /> In all other cases where a statement or testimony is required of a detainee, the requesting party may proceed with the submission of a request for legal assistance depending on the location of the person under the authority of the Mechanism:</p> <p>- In The Hague, a bilateral request should be made to The Netherlands. These requests for legal assistance can be pursuant to the applicable treaty on mutual legal assistance, or, in the absence of an applicable treaty, on the basis of letters rogatory to the applicable courts in The Hague. All such requests should be sent to the Netherlands Central Authority for International legal Assistance.</p> <p>Service of process upon a detainee of the Mechanism, in connection with the execution of a request for legal assistance to the Host State, would be effected under the domestic law of The Netherlands.</p> <p>- In Arusha, requests for assistance should be made to the Registrar of the Mechanism, and should include the applicable information requested in applications pursuant to Rule 87, points (ii) to (viii), as set out above.</p> <p>In both cases, unless otherwise agreed or determined by the President, the ordinary administrative costs incurred by the Mechanism, in facilitating a request for assistance by the Host State or the requesting state, shall be borne by the Mechanism, but expenses of a substantial or extraordinary nature incurred by the Mechanism shall be borne by the requesting party.<br /><br /><strong>• Administrative and civil cases</strong><br /><br /> A request for the taking of statements from a detainee in relation to an administrative or civil matter under investigation or pending before another jurisdiction may be carried out in one of several ways in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Host State.<br /><br /> (i) Statements may be taken, without compulsion, by a diplomatic or consular representative, accredited to the Host State, of the State to which a detainee belongs, or which takes charge of his or her interests, provided the statement pertains to a matter under investigation or pending in such State. The diplomatic or consular representative administers the oath and remains present to guarantee the integrity of the proceedings. The written interrogatories are posed by the diplomatic or consular officer or by a representative of the party seeking the statement. Requests may be submitted by the diplomatic or consular representative to the Registrar of the Mechanism. In Tanzania a judge from the requesting state may also visit the person under the authority of the Mechanism to take a statement.<br /><br /> (ii) Statements may be taken, without compulsion, by a notary registered in the Netherlands (<em>notaris</em>) or Tanzania who poses written interrogatories on behalf of the party seeking the statement. The taking of such statements may be carried out without the prior consent of, or notification to, the Host State authorities. The party seeking the statement must make arrangements for the presence of a court reporter and interpreter, if required. Requests may be submitted by the notary to the Registrar of the Mechanism.<br /><br /> (iii) For persons under the authority of the Mechanism in The Hague, statements may be taken by a Judge of the District Court of The Hague who poses written interrogatories on behalf of the party seeking the statement. The party seeking the statement in this fashion may submit the request to the District Court of The Hague in accordance with the applicable treaty on mutual legal assistance between the State where the requesting authority is located and the Host State, or in the absence of such treaty, by means of letters rogatory from the requesting court to the District Court of The Hague. All such requests should be sent to the Netherlands Central Authority for International Legal Assistance.</p> </div> <h4 class="section-subtitle">Taking of statements or testimony from an accused person on provisional release</h4> <div> <p>A request for assistance in an administrative, civil or criminal matter under investigation or pending before a court in another jurisdiction involving the participation of a person on provisional release, in accordance with an order of a Chamber of the Mechanism under Rule 68 of the <a href="/en/documents">Rules of Procedure and Evidence</a>, should be addressed to the competent authority of the jurisdiction where the person is provisionally released to, in accordance with the laws and regulations of such jurisdiction. In determining whether to grant the request for assistance, such jurisdiction must consider the terms and conditions of the order granting provisional release and consult with the Mechanism where granting the request may violate the order granting provisional release.</p> </div> <h4 class="section-subtitle">Taking of statements or testimony from a convicted person serving a sentence in an Enforcement State</h4> <div> <p>The terms and conditions of imprisonment of persons subject to a conviction by the ICTY, the ICTR or the Mechanism, and serving a sentence in relation thereto is determined by the laws of the State in which the sentence is being enforced (the “Enforcement State”). Consequently, a request for assistance involving the participation of a convicted person serving a sentence in an Enforcement State is to be addressed to the Enforcement State. The Enforcement State will decide whether to grant the request for assistance in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Enforcement State and the provisions of the agreement on enforcement between the United Nations and the Enforcement State or sovereign jurisdiction within the Enforcement State.</p> </div> <div> <p> </p> <h4><strong>Service of documents upon detainees for administrative or legal proceedings not pending before the Mechanism and registered mail for detainees</strong></h4> <p>Service of documents upon a detainee under the custody of the Mechanism in Arusha, and in relation to administrative or legal proceedings not pending before the Mechanism, can be effected by the Registrar.<br /> Registered mail addressed to a detainee shall be posted to the following address:</p> <p>c/o Office of the Registrar<br /> International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals<br /> Haki Road, Plot No. 486 Block A, Lakilaki Area<br /> Arumeru District<br /> P.O. Box 6016, Arusha, Tanzania</p> <p>Service of documents upon a detainee under the custody of the Mechanism in The Hague, and in relation to administrative or legal proceedings not pending before the Mechanism, are legal acts to be executed under the laws of The Netherlands. Dutch laws permit the service of documents by a variety of means:</p> <ol><li>by diplomatic or consular representative, without compulsion, in administrative, civil and criminal matters brought outside The Netherlands;</li> <li>by registered mail addressed to the detainee in administrative, civil and criminal cases brought outside The Netherlands;</li> <li>through formal request to the Netherlands Central Authority pursuant to a treaty on mutual legal assistance between The Netherlands and the State where the requesting party is located in; and</li> <li>by court bailiff in administrative and civil cases brought outside The Netherlands and in administrative, civil and criminal cases brought in The Netherlands.</li> </ol><p>Registered mail addressed to a detainee shall be posted to the following address:</p> <p>P.I. Haaglanden<br /> United Nations Detention Unit<br /> Pompstationsweg 32 2597 JW, The Hague<br /> The Netherlands</p> <p>Link to the <a href="https://www.irmct.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-08-22-GuidelinesOnServingDocumentsUponUNDUdetainees-ENG.pdf">Guidelines on Serving Documents Upon Detainees for Administrative or Legal Proceedings not Pending Before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals</a></p> <p><em>Please note: These Guidelines only apply to the serving of documents upon detainees held in the UNDU at The Hague branch.</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p> <h4 class="section-subtitle">Requests for waiver of immunity of an official or former official of the ICTY, the ICTR or the Mechanism</h4> <div> <p>Where an official or former official of the ICTY, the ICTR, or the Mechanism, is requested or summoned to provide a statement or testimony as a witness or suspect in an administrative, civil or criminal matter under investigation or pending before a court in a United Nations Member State or other jurisdiction, a waiver of immunity by the Secretary-General may be required, in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946 (“General Convention”) and where relevant, the Headquarters Agreement, prior to the taking of the statement or testimony.<br /><br /> A party seeking such statement or testimony shall submit a request to the Registrar of the Mechanism who will submit the request to the Secretary-General should a waiver of immunity be required.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="col-sm-3" role="complementary"> <div class="region region-sidebar-second"> <section id="block-assistnationalpageside" class="block block-block-content block-block-content5c6963dc-7088-40cb-b96c-be608f133ab5 clearfix"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h2 class="rightside-feature-title">Office of the Prosecutor</h2> <p style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #D1B1C1;">Haki Road, Plot No. 486 Block A, Lakilaki Area<br /> Arumeru District<br /> P.O. Box 6016, Arusha, Tanzania<br /><a class="spamspan" href="mailto:otprequestsarusha@un.org">otprequestsarusha@un.org</a><br /></p> <p>Churchillplein 1,<br /> 2517 JW, The Hague, The Netherlands<br /> Tel: +31 70 5125170<br /><a class="spamspan" href="mailto:otprequeststhehague@un.org">otprequeststhehague@un.org</a></p> <h2 class="rightside-feature-title">Registry</h2> <p style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #D1B1C1;">Requests for Assistance Focal Point<br /> Haki Road, Plot No. 486 Block A, Lakilaki Area<br /> Arumeru District<br /> P.O. Box 6016, Arusha, Tanzania<br /><a class="spamspan" href="mailto:registryrequestsarusha@un.org">registryrequestsarusha@un.org</a><br /></p> <p>Requests for Assistance Focal Point<br /> Churchillplein 1<br /> 2517 JW, The Hague, The Netherlands<br /><a class="spamspan" href="mailto:registryrequestshague@un.org">registryrequestshague@un.org</a></p> <h2 class="rightside-feature-title">The Netherlands Central Authority for International Legal Assistance</h2> <p>Ministry of Justice<br /> Prins Clauslaan 60<br /> P.O. Box 20302 2500 EH,<br /> The Hague, The Netherlands<br /> Tel. +31 70 381-1580 / 3345 Fax. +31 70 381-3840</p> </div> </section> </div> </aside> </div> </div> <footer class="footer container" role="contentinfo"> <div class="region region-footer"> <section id="block-footercontent" class="block block-block-content block-block-contente3ab5916-f5bc-42f3-978a-8d6679005e7f clearfix"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><ul class="social-icons-block" style="font-size: 26px"><li class="first"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/unitednations.irmct/" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-facebook-square"><span class="editor-fix"> </span></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/unirmct" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-twitter-square"><span class="editor-fix"> </span></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPOPvnINPwtfjwEnYtIvYw" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-youtube-square"><span class="editor-fix"> </span></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/unmict/" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-flickr"><span class="editor-fix"> </span></i></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/irmct/" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-linkedin-square"><span class="editor-fix"> </span></i></a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/unirmct/" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-instagram"><span class="editor-fix"> </span></i></a></li> </ul><ul class="contacts-block"><li><a href="/en/contact">Contacts</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/en/contact#website-feedback">Website feedback</a></li> </ul><hr class="grey-horizontal-rule" /><div class="tribunal-logos"> <div class="ictr-logo"><a href="https://unictr.irmct.org" target="_blank"><img alt="ICTR logo blue" src="/sites/default/files/images/content/ictr-logo-blue.png" /><br /> International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda</a></div> <div class="icty-logo"><a href="//www.icty.org" target="_blank"><img alt="ICTY logo blue" src="/sites/default/files/images/content/icty-logo-blue.png" /><br /> International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia</a></div> </div> <hr class="grey-horizontal-rule" /><ul class="terms-privacy-block"><li class="first"><a href="/en/terms-and-conditions-use">Terms of Use</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://www.un.org/en/sections/about-website/privacy-notice/index.html" target="_blank">Privacy Notice</a></li> </ul></div> </section> </div> </footer> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","scriptPath":null,"pathPrefix":"en\/","currentPath":"node\/8709","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"bootstrap":{"forms_has_error_value_toggle":1,"modal_animation":1,"modal_backdrop":"true","modal_focus_input":1,"modal_keyboard":1,"modal_select_text":1,"modal_show":1,"modal_size":"","popover_enabled":1,"popover_animation":1,"popover_auto_close":1,"popover_container":"body","popover_content":"","popover_delay":"0","popover_html":0,"popover_placement":"right","popover_selector":"","popover_title":"","popover_trigger":"click","tooltip_enabled":1,"tooltip_animation":1,"tooltip_container":"body","tooltip_delay":"0","tooltip_html":0,"tooltip_placement":"auto left","tooltip_selector":"","tooltip_trigger":"hover"},"superfish":{"superfish-main--2":{"id":"superfish-main--2","sf":{"animation":{"opacity":"show","height":"show"},"speed":"fast"},"plugins":{"smallscreen":{"mode":"window_width","title":"\u003Cnone\u003E"},"supposition":true,"supersubs":true}},"superfish-main":{"id":"superfish-main","sf":{"pathClass":"active-trail","delay":"500","animation":{"opacity":"show","height":"show"},"speed":"fast","autoArrows":false},"plugins":{"smallscreen":{"mode":"window_width","title":"NAVIGATION DESKTOP"},"supposition":true,"supersubs":true}}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"3ecdccdca3af74cc62efda177c4ba3fc5784750355855f0f286d07027dba82de"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_xDfshaIVJAkEpNPHktf-m3jdq_3eAwJhqoIR0Pm4uuQ.js"></script> <script src="https://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" async></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_ub51wMJa7a5s4rqOWoE6LS41MCo9CtIgrOXRfmOjgqI.js"></script> <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@3.4.1/dist/js/bootstrap.min.js" integrity="sha256-nuL8/2cJ5NDSSwnKD8VqreErSWHtnEP9E7AySL+1ev4=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_V6WT8m-zoNhUMA7WDARxTZ0buNlpqJJy07e7-MoeFZ4.js"></script>      <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-1CKT0BYYS6"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-1CKT0BYYS6'); </script> </body> </html>