Visitors pose questions to Court staff in Courtroom I’s Public Gallery at the ICC headquarters in
The Hague (Netherlands), on The Hague International Day on Sunday, 24 September 2017 © ICC-CPI
More than 1,000 people visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, 24 September 2017, when it opened its headquarters for The Hague International Day (Open Day). The ICC thanks each and every visitor for making this Open Day its busiest and best so far. Highlights this year included Visitor Centre audio tours in English, French and Dutch; a special one-day multimedia exhibit in Courtroom I; an area featuring jobs, internships and visiting professional positions; and activities for youth, including “Planet Justice” augmented reality games about the ICC.
“The annual Open Day is a special occasion for the Court to connect with the people from its host city and beyond. I was heartened by the overwhelming turnout at this year’s event and the interest the visitors showed in the Court’s work. As a judicial institution, the ICC is independent in its functions, but the support of the public matters a great deal to us. And indeed the Court’s mandate – to fight impunity for the most serious international crimes and contribute to their prevention – is one that resonates with people everywhere”, stated ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi.
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 explore the Visitor Centre, which features stories from victims who have participated in ICC proceedings, and how being part of the justice process impacts their lives. Visitors also learned about the ICC legal process and had a chance to “become” ICC staff members and make decisions about the justice process in interactive stories called “You Decide”.
Visitors could also view a special one-day multimedia exhibit from Courtroom I’s Public Gallery, where large format videos were projected on the walls and floor. Visitors learned about the roles of ICC Judges, Prosecution, Defence, the Legal Representatives of Victims and witnesses testifying before the Court. At the centre of the Courtroom was footage of people from communities affected by crimes, placing victims and survivors at the heart of the Court’s operations. Questions from visitors focused on the various aspects of the Court’s work, including its mandate, the support it needs from the States and possibilities to attend the ongoing trials.
Youth and families with children explore and learn about the ICC through augmented reality games
on The Hague International Day, 24 September 2017 © ICC-CPI
An area was also designated for youth and families with children, and featured several activities, including movies, puzzles, colouring challenges, and a new “Planet Justice” programme featuring augmented reality games through which youth can explore and learn about the ICC.
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 over 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.
