Separation wall/ICJ proceedings – accreditation procedure for the public hearing – ICJ Press release

Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory (Request for advisory opinion)

Accreditation procedure for the public hearings opening
on Monday 23 February 2004

PRESS

    THE HAGUE, 3 February 2004. In view of the great interest aroused by the public hearings in the above-mentioned case, which are to open on Monday 23 February 2004, an accreditation procedure as described below has been established for media representatives.

   There will also be further special rules in force for coverage of the hearings. You are kindly asked to take note of these before applying for accreditation, so as to avoid any problems on arrival.

Accreditation

    Media representatives wishing to cover the hearings are asked kindly to complete the attached accreditation form; available in PDF format (pdf), Word format (doc) and Rich Text format (rtf) which is suitable for most word-processing software. The form must be completed in full, in typescript, and returned, by facsimile only, not later than Friday 13 February 2004, to the Information Department at the following number: + 31 (0)70 302 23 38.

   Forms not completed in full, or filled in by hand, or received otherwise than by facsimile or after the closing date, will not be considered.

   Photographers are requested to complete a separate accreditation form.

   The procedure for the issue of accreditation cards will be announced later. Accreditation cards will be valid throughout the duration of the hearings and cannot be replaced if lost.

    In order to avoid long daily queues, media representatives are asked to present themselves at the Peace Palace gates by 8 a.m. for the morning sittings, and by 1 p.m. for the afternoon sittings. They are kindly requested to carry personal ID as well as their press card. Rigorous checks will be carried out before each sitting.

   Only duly accredited individuals with valid identification will be allowed onto the Peace Palace site during the hearings.

Parking

    No parking will be permitted within the Palace grounds. Vehicles should be left in parking spaces (generally metered) in neighbouring streets.

   Exceptions may be authorized for vehicles equipped with satellite antennae for live broadcasting, or for those with heavy equipment to unload. Requests should be submitted in advance to the Information Department and include a brief statement of reasons.

   (It should be noted that the Eurovision Division of the Netherlands public broadcasting service (NOS) will be present at the Peace Palace at least on Monday 23 February 2004, and will be able to provide technical assistance to foreign television crews provided this is requested in advance. The Eurovision Division may be reached at: +31 35 677 36 04 or +31 35 677 32 98 (telephone), +31 35 677 51 05 (fax), or at eurovisie@rtv.nos.nl (e-mail).)

Press centre

    As the Peace Palace press room can accommodate only limited numbers, the Court has decided to set up a press centre on the premises of the Hague Academy of International Law, which is located on the Peace Palace site, to the left of the main building.

   The hearings will be transmitted live on a large screen. Headsets will be provided, enabling media representatives to follow the proceedings in English or French. A number of work tables will be provided, as well as electric power points and internet connections. Press members are advised to bring their own mobile phones.

   The press centre will provide direct TV feeds off the Court's audiovisual system (PAL and NTSC), as well as radio feeds from the Court's audio system.

    Drinks and sandwiches will be on sale to press members.

TV stand-up positions

Fixed television stand-up positions will be permitted only in the reserved area on the lawn in front of the Peace Palace. Authorization must be requested in advance from the Information Department.

Access to the Peace Palace

Media representatives (with the exception of pool photographers) will at no time be permitted access to the Peace Palace itself (Great Hall of Justice and corridors).

The press centre will include a press room for briefings and press conferences by those taking part in the hearings. Interviews may be conducted inside the press centre, at TV stand-up positions or on the external Peace Palace steps. Filming will be permitted outside the main Palace building. Media representatives are kindly requested to avoid damage to the lawns and gardens.

Photographers

Accredited photographers may take still pictures for approximately 20 minutes at the start of the sitting on Monday 23 February 2004 only. They should keep to the right-hand side of the Great Hall of Justice, as they normally do. Access to the balcony will not be permitted.

___________

Mr. Arthur Witteveen, First Secretary of the Court (tel.: + 31 70 302 23 36) and Mrs. Laurence Blairon and Mr. Boris Heim, Press Officers, will be available to the press for all further information (tel.: + 31 70 302 23 37; e-mail: information@icj-cij.org).