PROSECUTOR V. FÉLICIEN KABUGA START OF TRIAL – ACCREDITATIONS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION

THE ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE IS NOW CLOSED.

The Opening Statements in the case of Prosecutor v. Félicien Kabuga before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) are scheduled to be heard on Thursday, 29 September 2022 and Friday, 30 September 2022 at 10:00 CEST/11:00 EAT in the Courtroom of the Mechanism’s Hague branch. The commencement of the presentation of evidence is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 5 October 2022 and Thursday, 6 October 2022 at 10:00 CEST/11:00 EAT, respectively.

The hearings will be publicly broadcast on the Mechanism’s website with a 30-minute delay and will be available at the following link: https://www.irmct.org/en/cases/mict-courtroom-broadcast. The hearings can be followed in English, French, and Kinyarwanda.

Media Accreditation

The accreditation procedure for media representatives wishing to attend the Opening Statements and/or the commencement of the presentation of evidence is now open.

All media representatives wishing to enter the Mechanism’s premises in The Hague on 29 and 30 September 2022 for the Opening Statements, and/or on 5 and 6 October 2022 for the commencement of the presentation of evidence, must submit an accreditation request to mict-press@un.org by Tuesday, 27 September 2022 at 12:00 CEST/13:00 EAT specifying:

  • the days for which accreditation is being requested
  • full names, functions, passport numbers, and contact details of all members (reporter, photographer, cameraperson, etc.) who would like to attend; and
  • name and type of media outlet (television radio, newspaper, magazine, etc.).

 Only accredited media representatives will be granted access to the building.

 The lobby will be equipped with work spaces, power outlets, and a Wi-Fi connection. Journalists wishing to connect to the feeds inside the building should bring compatible equipment and a BNC cable.

Accreditation for Non-Media Representatives and Members of the Public

Non-media representatives (including members of the diplomatic corps) and members of the public wishing to attend the opening statements and/or the commencement of the presentation of evidence should request accreditation by sending an email to mict-external-relations@un.org by Tuesday, 27 September 2022 at 12:00 CEST/13:00 EAT.

Due to space limitations, there will be several different types of accreditation provided, including for access to the public gallery of the Courtroom, access to the Mechanism’s lobby, and/or access to other dedicated locations inside the Mechanism’s building.

Accredited media and non-media representatives will be notified by email of the status of their accreditation and collection details by COB Wednesday, 28 September 2022.

Due to finite resources, there will be limited capacity to support requests made by media or non‑media representatives on the day.

Filming Inside the Mechanism Building

No filming is allowed inside the Mechanism building. Filming of the court proceedings will be carried out by authorised Mechanism staff, and an audio-visual feed will be distributed. Media wishing to obtain footage of the hearing should send a request to mict-press@un.org, Please note that footage can be provided in the MP4 format and it will include the option of English, French, Kinyarwanda, or floor channels.

SNG Vehicles

Limited space is available in the vicinity of the Mechanism building for SNG trucks. The Mechanism does not issue accreditations for SNG trucks and spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Trucks parked in non-designated areas will be asked to move by the local authorities.

Limited break-out boxes for the audio and video feeds are available. However, media organisations must ensure that they have an adequate supply of cabling and power.

Security Procedures

  • Main Entrance

 All persons entering the Mechanism building are subject to security checks of their person and belongings. No one is permitted access to the building without complying fully with the requirements of the Mechanism’s Security Officers.

 All members of the press must present their accreditation ticket, a valid press card, and a valid passport/ID with a photo at the Main Entrance. 

  • Access to the Lobby or other designated areas

Persons with accreditation to access the lobby or other designated areas on the Mechanism premises must remain within that area of the building and will not be allowed into the public gallery of the Courtroom.

  • Access to Public Gallery

 Once in the building, persons who have been granted accreditation to access the public gallery of the Courtroom are required to pass through an additional security check. Persons will be required to show both the building and public gallery accreditations. No electronic equipment whatsoever will be allowed into the Courtroom’s public gallery. Please do not carry mobile phones, cameras, or other such devices.

 It is possible to leave these items with the Mechanism’s Security in the deposit boxes at the main entrance. If you use the Mechanism’s storage facilities, please plan for extra time to store your items and be reminded that the Mechanism shall not be liable for any loss or damage to any items or equipment.

  • Court Formalities

 The Presiding Judge of the Trial Chamber is responsible for the dignity and decorum of the courtroom proceedings and may order that any person be removed from the public gallery at any time. The formal entry of the Judges will be announced by an usher who will ask all present to rise. All present will stand and remain standing until after the Judges have taken their seats. A similar procedure will be followed at the close or any adjournment of the proceedings. All present will be asked to remain standing until all Judges have left the courtroom. For more information please refer to the Rules of decorum.

  • Electronic Equipment in other designated areas

 With the exception of accredited media in the lobby, no electronic equipment whatsoever will be allowed in the designated areas for the accredited media and non-media representatives. As set out above, it is possible to leave these items with the Mechanism’s Security in the deposit boxes at the Main Entrance. If you use the Mechanism’s storage facilities, please plan for extra time to store your items and be reminded that the Mechanism shall not be liable for any loss or damage to any items or equipment.

 

For further information, please contact:

External Relations Office
Tel: +31 70 512 5041; 512 5691
or email mict-press@un.org