CHAPTER 3. COOPERATION AS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 93 OF THE STATUTE
§ 1. General
Section 45
1. Requests of the ICC for any form of cooperation as referred to in article 93 of the Statute shall, to the extent possible, be executed in the desired manner, having regard to the provisions of this chapter.
2. Requests of the ICC for cooperation as referred to in article 93, paragraph 1 (l) of the Statute shall be executed as quickly as possible and in the desired manner, unless this is prohibited by Dutch law.
Section 46
1. A request for cooperation as referred to in this chapter shall, to the extent possible, be executed in the manner indicated in the request, including application of the procedures described in it and consent for the persons referred to in the request to be present at and assist in the execution of the request.
2. The Dutch authorities charged with executing requests for cooperation are responsible for the safety of the persons concerned and shall accordingly be competent to impose conditions on the way in which requests for cooperation are executed.
Section 47
Where documents are to be served on or issued to third parties in compliance with a request for cooperation, this shall be done in accordance with the statutory rules governing the service and issuing of comparable Dutch documents.
Section 48
1. Our Minister may permit persons who have been lawfully deprived of their liberty in the Netherlands to be temporarily placed at the disposal of the ICC for the purpose of identification, to testify as a witness or with a view to other forms of cooperation. The person concerned shall be placed at the disposal of the ICC only if he freely gives his consent for this after having been properly informed of the consequences.
2. If the person to be placed at the disposal of the ICC under subsection 1 is serving a custodial sentence, the period during which he is placed at the disposal of the ICC shall be deducted from his sentence.
§ 2. Actions of the public prosecutor and the investigating judge
Section 49
A public prosecutor who has received a request for cooperation shall decide immediately how it is to be executed. The public prosecutor shall, if necessary, seek the assistance of the Public Prosecution Service in other court districts for the purpose of executing the request. He may refer the request to his counterpart in another court district in the interests of its speedy and efficient disposal.
Section 50
1. The public prosecutor shall transmit the request for cooperation to the investigating judge if it involves:
(a) questioning persons who are not prepared to appear voluntarily and give the requested testimony;
(b) cooperation in a hearing by the ICC of a witness or expert by means of video conferencing;
(c) an express request for a sworn statement or a statement made in the presence of a judge;
(d) seizure of documentary evidence if necessary with a view to achieving the desired result.
2. The public prosecutor may transmit the request of the ICC to the investigating judge in cases other than those referred to in subsection 1.
3. The transmission of the request shall be by means of a written application describing the action required on the part of the investigating judge.
4. The application referred to in subsection 3 may be withdrawn at any time.
Section 51
1. An application as referred to in section 50, subsection 3, has the same legal consequences as an application to initiate a preliminary judicial investigation (gerechtelijk vooronderzoek), in respect of:
(a) the powers of the investigating judge with regard to the suspects, witnesses and experts to be heard by him, as well as those with regard to the delivery or transmission of documentary evidence, the taking of measures in the interests of the investigation, and the carrying out of DNA tests, including the power to order the taking of cell material for this purpose, the entry into premises, the search of premises, the seizure of documentary evidence and investigation of data in automated databases;
(b) the powers of the public prosecutor;
(c) the rights and duties of the persons to be questioned by the investigating judge;
(d) legal assistance by counsel;
(e) the actions of the clerk.
2. Notwithstanding subsection 1, an application as referred to in section 50, subsection 3, which has been made with a view to executing a request to cooperate in a hearing by the ICC of a witness or expert by means of video conferencing, shall have the same legal consequences as an application to institute a preliminary judicial investigation in so far as it concerns the application of articles 190 paragraphs 1 and 4, 191 paragraphs 1 and 4, 210 paragraph 1 second sentence, 213, 215, 217-219a, 221-225, 226a paragraph 1, 226c paragraph 1, 226f and 236 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
3. When a request of the ICC for cooperation is executed, no use may be made of coercive measures, other than in accordance with subsections 1 and 2.
Section 52
1. In so far as the request of the ICC for cooperation involves:
(a) telecommunication tapping;
(b) systematic surveillance of persons;
(c) infiltration;
(d) pseudo purchase or services;
(e) systematic gathering of information about a person who is under investigation;
(f) undercover entry into a closed place;
(g) the recording of a confidential communication by means of technical equipment;
(h) an exploratory investigation
the public prosecutor may exercise the powers granted to him for this purpose in Titles IVa, V, Va and Vc of Book 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Article 126ff of the Code of Criminal Procedure may also be applied where the scope of the request makes this necessary.
2. When a request of the ICC for cooperation is executed, no use may be made of the powers referred to in subsection 1 and article 126ff of the Code of Criminal Procedure may not be applied other than in accordance with subsection 1.
3. Records of proceedings and other objects acquired by application of one of the powers to tap telecommunications or record confidential communications by means of technical equipment may be handed over to the ICC in so far as the District Court grants leave for this purpose. Articles 21-25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall apply mutatis mutandis.
4. Articles 126aa paragraph 2, and 126bb-126dd of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall apply mutatis mutandis. Article 126cc shall apply only in so far as the relevant records of proceedings and other objects have not been handed over to the ICC. The public prosecutor is responsible for ensuring that a person to whom the records and other objects relate may inspect them at some point.
Section 53
1. The investigating judge shall return the request for cooperation as soon as possible to the public prosecutor, after adding the records of the interviews conducted by him and the records of his other actions.
2. The documentary evidence seized by the investigating judge and information carriers in his possession containing data collected by means of any power under the law of criminal procedure shall be made available to the public prosecutor, in so far as the District Court grants leave for this purpose. Articles 21-25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall apply mutatis mutandis.
3. Unless it may be assumed that the persons entitled to the seized documentary evidence do not reside in the Netherlands, the leave required under subsection 2 shall be granted only on condition that when the documents are handed over to the ICC it is stipulated that they will be returned as soon as they are no longer required for the criminal procedure.
4. The provisions laid down by and pursuant to articles 116-119, 552a, 552ca, 552d paragraph 1, and 552e of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall apply mutatis mutandis to the provisions of subsections 1-3. The court competent to grant the leave required under subsection 2 of this section shall take the place of the competent court according to the said articles.
Section 54
1. After completing his activities in executing the request for cooperation, the public prosecutor shall return the request, together with the accompanying documents, to Our Minister as soon as possible.
2. Our Minister shall notify the ICC immediately of the manner in which the request has been executed and of the results thereof.
1. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and under procedures of national law, comply with requests by the Court to provide the following assistance in relation to investigations or prosecutions:
(a) The identification and whereabouts of persons or the location of items;
(b) The taking of evidence, including testimony under oath, and the production of evidence, including expert opinions and reports necessary to the Court;
(c) The questioning of any person being investigated or prosecuted;
(d) The service of documents, including judicial documents;
(e) Facilitating the voluntary appearance of persons as witnesses or experts before the Court;
(f) The temporary transfer of persons as provided in paragraph 7;
(g) The examination of places or sites, including the exhumation and examination of grave sites;
(h) The execution of searches and seizures;
(i) The provision of records and documents, including official records and documents;
(j) The protection of victims and witnesses and the preservation of evidence;
(k) The identification, tracing and freezing or seizure of proceeds, property and assets and instrumentalities of crimes for the purpose of eventual forfeiture, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties; and
(l) Any other type of assistance which is not prohibited by the law of the requested State, with a view to facilitating the investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.
2. The Court shall have the authority to provide an assurance to a witness or an expert appearing before the Court that he or she will not be prosecuted, detained or subjected to any restriction of personal freedom by the Court in respect of any act or omission that preceded the departure of that person from the requested State.
3. Where execution of a particular measure of assistance detailed in a request presented under paragraph 1, is prohibited in the requested State on the basis of an existing fundamental legal principle of general application, the requested State shall promptly consult with the Court to try to resolve the matter. In the consultations, consideration should be given to whether the assistance can be rendered in another manner or subject to conditions. If after consultations the matter cannot be resolved, the Court shall modify the request as necessary.
4. In accordance with article 72, a State Party may deny a request for assistance, in whole or in part, only if the request concerns the production of any documents or disclosure of evidence which relates to its national security.
5. Before denying a request for assistance under paragraph 1 (l), the requested State shall consider whether the assistance can be provided subject to specified conditions, or whether the assistance can be provided at a later date or in an alternative manner, provided that if the Court or the Prosecutor accepts the assistance subject to conditions, the Court or the Prosecutor shall abide by them.
6. If a request for assistance is denied, the requested State Party shall promptly inform the Court or the Prosecutor of the reasons for such denial.
(a) The Court may request the temporary transfer of a person in custody for purposes of identification or for obtaining testimony or other assistance. The person may be transferred if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) The person freely gives his or her informed consent to the transfer; and
(ii) The requested State agrees to the transfer, subject to such conditions as that State and the Court may agree.
(b) The person being transferred shall remain in custody. When the purposes of the transfer have been fulfilled, the Court shall return the person without delay to the requested State.
(a) The Court shall ensure the confidentiality of documents and information, except as required for the investigation and proceedings described in the request.
(b) The requested State may, when necessary, transmit documents or information to the Prosecutor on a confidential basis. The Prosecutor may then use them solely for the purpose of generating new evidence.
(c) The requested State may, on its own motion or at the request of the Prosecutor, subsequently consent to the disclosure of such documents or information. They may then be used as evidence pursuant to the provisions of Parts 5 and 6 and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
(i) In the event that a State Party receives competing requests, other than for surrender or extradition, from the Court and from another State pursuant to an international obligation, the State Party shall endeavour, in consultation with the Court and the other State, to meet both requests, if necessary by postponing or attaching conditions to one or the other request.
(ii) Failing that, competing requests shall be resolved in accordance with the principles established in article 90.
(b) Where, however, the request from the Court concerns information, property or persons which are subject to the control of a third State or an international organization by virtue of an international agreement, the requested States shall so inform the Court and the Court shall direct its request to the third State or international organization.
(a) The Court may, upon request, cooperate with and provide assistance to a State Party conducting an investigation into or trial in respect of conduct which constitutes a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court or which constitutes a serious crime under the national law of the requesting State.
(b)
(i) The assistance provided under subparagraph (a) shall include, inter alia:
a. The transmission of statements, documents or other types of evidence obtained in the course of an investigation or a trial conducted by the Court; and
b. The questioning of any person detained by order of the Court;
(ii) In the case of assistance under subparagraph (b) (i) a:
a. If the documents or other types of evidence have been obtained with the assistance of a State, such transmission shall require the consent of that State;
b. If the statements, documents or other types of evidence have been provided by a witness or expert, such transmission shall be subject to the provisions of article 68.
(c) The Court may, under the conditions set out in this paragraph, grant a request for assistance under this paragraph from a State which is not a Party to this Statute.
1. A request for other forms of assistance referred to in article 93 shall be made in writing. In urgent cases, a request may be made by any medium capable of delivering a written record, provided that the request shall be confirmed through the channel provided for in article 87, paragraph 1 (a).
2. The request shall, as applicable, contain or be supported by the following:
(a) A concise statement of the purpose of the request and the assistance sought, including the legal basis and the grounds for the request;
(b) As much detailed information as possible about the location or identification of any person or place that must be found or identified in order for the assistance sought to be provided;
(c) A concise statement of the essential facts underlying the request;
(d) The reasons for and details of any procedure or requirement to be followed;
(e) Such information as may be required under the law of the requested State in order to execute the request; and
(f) Any other information relevant in order for the assistance sought to be provided.
3. Upon the request of the Court, a State Party shall consult with the Court, either generally or with respect to a specific matter, regarding any requirements under its national law that may apply under paragraph 2 (e). During the consultations, the State Party shall advise the Court of the specific requirements of its national law.
4. The provisions of this article shall, where applicable, also apply in respect of a request for assistance made to the Court.