Enforcement of sentences of imprisonment

Republic of Austria

Austria - Federal Law on Cooperation with the ICC (EN) 2002

Part 1
General Provisions

2. The principle of cooperation
1. All organs of the Federal State, in particular the courts, public prosecutors, custodial authorities and security authorities, have an obligation to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court.
2. The obligation in paragraph 1 above shall consist in particular, pursuant to this federal law and in accordance with the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the International Criminal Court, in granting the Court access to information and documents concerning suspected crimes falling within its jurisdiction, providing it with judicial assistance, surrendering accused persons, accepting sentenced persons for the enforcement of sentences, and enforcing fines and forfeitures.

Part 2
Specific provisions

Section 5

40. Enforcement of sentences of imprisonment for offences against the administration of justice

Having regard to the enforcement of sentences of imprisonment imposed by the International Criminal Court for offences against the administration of justice pursuant to article 70 of the Statute, this federal law, with the exception of the provisions in paragraphs 32(1) and (5), 33(1) to (5), and 39 above, shall not apply. The procedure shall comply with paragraphs 65 to 67 of the law on extradition and judicial assistance (ARHG).

Part 2
Specific provisions

Section 5

32. Enforcement of sentences of imprisonment

General provisions
1. Through a statement addressed to the International Criminal Court, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs may, with the consent of the Federal Minister of Justice, state Austria’s willingness to accept sentenced persons for the enforcement of sentences of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court. The statement may set a limit on the time for transfer for enforcement and on the number and kind of sentenced persons.
2. The sentences of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court shall be enforced directly. Sentences passed by the International Criminal Court may not be modified. In the light of instructions from the International Criminal Court, enforcement shall be subject to the relevant provisions of Austrian law on the understanding that the conditions of detention correspond to those under which persons convicted of similar crimes are held in Austria.
3. The enforcement of sentences of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court shall be subject to the supervision of the Court. At the request of the International Criminal Court, its members shall be granted access to prisons.
4. Should a person serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed by the International Criminal Court in Austria be eligible under Austrian law for more lenient treatment involving unguarded work outside the prison, the International Criminal Court shall be informed thereof before such work is allowed. Its opinion shall be taken into consideration in the decision.
5. Sentenced persons within the meaning of this section are to be granted unimpeded and confidential written communication with the International Criminal Court.

Rome Statute

Article 103 Role of States in enforcement of sentences of imprisonment

1.

(a) A sentence of imprisonment shall be served in a State designated by the Court from a list of States which have indicated to the Court their willingness to accept sentenced persons.

(b) At the time of declaring its willingness to accept sentenced persons, a State may attach conditions to its acceptance as agreed by the Court and in accordance with this Part.

(c) A State designated in a particular case shall promptly inform the Court whether it accepts the Court's designation.

2.

(a) The State of enforcement shall notify the Court of any circumstances, including the exercise of any conditions agreed under paragraph 1, which could materially affect the terms or extent of the imprisonment. The Court shall be given at least 45 days' notice of any such known or foreseeable circumstances. During this period, the State of enforcement shall take no action that might prejudice its obligations under article 110.

(b) Where the Court cannot agree to the circumstances referred to in subparagraph (a), it shall notify the State of enforcement and proceed in accordance with article 104, paragraph 1.

3. In exercising its discretion to make a designation under paragraph 1, the Court shall take into account the following:

(a) The principle that States Parties should share the responsibility for enforcing sentences of imprisonment, in accordance with principles of equitable distribution, as provided in the Rules of Procedure and Evidence;

(b) The application of widely accepted international treaty standards governing the treatment of prisoners;

(c) The views of the sentenced person;

(d) The nationality of the sentenced person;

(e) Such other factors regarding the circumstances of the crime or the person sentenced, or the effective enforcement of the sentence, as may be appropriate in designating the State of enforcement.

4. If no State is designated under paragraph 1, the sentence of imprisonment shall be served in a prison facility made available by the host State, in accordance with the conditions set out in the headquarters agreement referred to in article 3, paragraph 2. In such a case, the costs arising out of the enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment shall be borne by the Court.

Article 105 Enforcement of the sentence

1. Subject to conditions which a State may have specified in accordance with article 103, paragraph 1 (b), the sentence of imprisonment shall be binding on the States Parties, which shall in no case modify it.

2. The Court alone shall have the right to decide any application for appeal and revision. The State of enforcement shall not impede the making of any such application by a sentenced person.