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House Rules for Detainees

United Nations Detention Unit

Issued in April 1995, as amended June 1995 (IT/99)

You are now in the United Nations detention unit for persons awaiting trial or appeal before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

While you are in this detention unit, you are subject to a number of rules and regulations which have been passed by the Tribunal, including the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the Rules of Detention and various Regulations relating to disciplinary and complaints procedures and the arrangements for visits and communications with people outside the detention unit, including your lawyer. In addition, there are certain facilities which are provided by the host prison in which the detention unit is situated ("the host prison"), which are subject to separate control. This pamphlet contains the basic information you need to know about these matters and the general running of the detention unit. You will also be given copies of the Rules of Detention and all applicable Regulations in a language you read and understand. If you are unable to read, all of these documents will be read to you in a language you understand.

Legal Assistance

You are entitled to engage the lawyer of your choice to assist you with the proceedings before the Tribunal. He should send a copy of his power of attorney to the Registrar as soon as possible if he has not already done so. If you do not have sufficient funds to engage your own lawyer, the Tribunal may assign a lawyer to you and will pay the fees for that lawyer. If you need such assistance, you may ask the Commanding Officer of the detention unit to provide you with the necessary application forms. An interpreter is available to assist you in completing the forms.

You may write freely to your lawyer as often as you want and receive mail from him without it being opened or inspected. Telephone calls to your lawyer are not monitored or recorded. The Tribunal may assist with the cost of calls if you do not have sufficient funds.

Your lawyer may visit you at any time between9 a.m.and5 p.m.Outsidethese hours visits are by special arrangement only. These visits are not recorded although they may be observed by members of the staff of the detention unit. Your lawyer may pass written materials and documents to you at meetings.

Diplomatic or Consular Assistance

You are entitled to communicate with, and receive visits from, the diplomatic or consular official representing your nation. A list of representatives in theNetherlandsis available in the detention unit. You may ask for your diplomatic representative to be informed of your admission to the United Nations detention unit and this will be done without delay.

Interpretation Facilities

Members of the staff of the detention unit speak a wide variety of languages. If you do not understand any of the languages spoken, or if that member of staff is not present at the time, you may at any time request an interpreter to assist you with any matter relating to the detention unit. The interpreter will be contacted by telephone or brought to the prison unit as quickly as possible. If you are unable to communicate with the staff of the detention unit on any matter, simply point to this paragraph and they will know to fetch an interpreter. You may also request an interpreter to assist you in meetings with your lawyer.

Discipline

Detainees shall obey all orders and instructions given by the staff of the detention unit. Disciplinary procedures are set down by regulation and you should familiarize yourself with this. A copy of the disciplinary procedure is available in your cell unit.

Medical Services

You may request medical attention from the medical officer of the host prison at any time. In addition, your own personal doctor or dentist may visit you, at your own expense, by prior arrangement with the Commanding Officer. Your doctor will be subject to the standard search and security procedures for entry to the detention unit. All medicines prescribed by your own doctor or which you had in your possession on admission to the detention unit will be administered by the medical officer of the host prison or a member of his staff. The medical officer of the host prison may, at any time, in consultation with the Commanding Officer, refuse to administer any such medicine. You may file a formal complaint against such decision.

Food

You will be provided with two cold meals and one hot meal per day. You may request a specific diet on admission on religious or health grounds. Additional facilities for hot and cold drinks and snacks are also available.

Clothing and Personal Possessions

While in the detention unit you may wear your own civilian clothing if, in the opinion of the Commanding Officer, it is both clean and suitable. Civilian clothing may also be provided by the detention unit when needed.

You may keep with you in the detention unit personal items that are not a threat to the safety and good order of the detention unit. All such items will be returned to you immediately on completion of the reception procedures. Any items which are removed will be stored by the detention unit. You will be asked to sign a list of all such items, which will be restored to you on release or final transfer from the detention unit. Similar procedures apply in respect of items sent to you from outside. The Commanding Officer may confiscate any prohibited item enclosed.

In addition, you may purchase small items for your own use once a week from the prison store, using your own funds. If you do not have sufficient funds, you may ask the Commanding Officer to apply to the Registrar for funds for this purpose.

Personal Hygiene

Each cell unit has its own shower and lavatory area. You are expected to keep yourself and your clothing and surroundings clean and tidy at all times and you will be provided with the necessary materials to do so. Clothing shall be changed at regular intervals and more often if needed and laundry facilities are available. A barber will visit the detention unit at regular intervals.

Fresh Air and Exercise

The detention unit has its own open-air exercise yard. At the discretion of the Commanding Officer, groups of up to four detainees may be permitted to use the exercise yard at the same time for recreational purposes. Each detainee is entitled to at least one hour per day in the exercise yard.

The detention unit also has limited facilities for indoor exercise which can be used under the supervision of the staff of the detention unit, as permitted by the Commanding Officer. The Commanding Officer may refuse access to these facilities for security reasons or for improper use or destruction of the equipment.

Recreational Activities

Subject to any restriction imposed at the request of the Tribunal’s Prosecutor, you may purchase, at your own expense, and retain in your cell unit, books, newspapers and other reading and writing materials in such quantities as the Commanding Officer may permit. With the express permission of the Commanding Officer you may also have the materials and equipment necessary for any hobby which is compatible with the security and good order of the detention unit. In addition, books may be borrowed on a weekly basis from the library of the host prison.

Television sets and radios may be rented with the express permission of the Commanding Officer, who will also be responsible for setting the rate.

Mail and Telephone Calls

Subject to any individual restrictions that may be imposed at the request of the Tribunal Prosecutor, you may receive and send letters and correspondence while in the detention unit. Other than letters to and from your lawyer and save other official bodies, your mail will be opened and inspected by the Registrar of the Tribunal.

You may make telephone calls at your own expense at any time from9 a.m.to5 p.m.on working days. If you have no funds, you may make a request to the Commanding Officer to make telephone calls at the Tribunal’s expense. Permission to make such calls will only be granted after the Commanding Officer has confirmed with the Registrar that these costs may be incurred on your behalf. Telephone calls will not usually be monitored or recorded. Additional restrictions may be imposed if there is reason to believe that you may be abusing this freedom.

Visits

Subject to any individual restrictions that may be imposed at the request of the Tribunal Prosecutor, you may receive visits from family, friends or others during the visiting hours set by the Commanding Officer. Details of these hours are available from the Registry of the Tribunal.

You may refuse to see any visitor other than a representative from the Tribunal Prosecutor or an official inspector appointed by the Tribunal. All visitors must apply to the Registrar of the Tribunal for permission to visit. Visits will be supervised by staff of the detention unit but conversations will not usually be listened to or recorded. Additional restrictions may be imposed if there is reason to believe that you may be abusing this freedom.

Spiritual Welfare

You may ask to receive a visit from the local representative of your religion approved by the Tribunal. In addition, you may retain in your possession any necessary books or literature you may have which relate to your religious, spiritual and moral welfare. You may make a request to the Commanding Officer to attend a service or meeting to be held in the detention unit. In addition, you may request permission to visit a religious facility within the grounds of the host prison and this will be arranged if possible.

Complaints

A formal complaints procedure has been established and a copy of the complaints procedure is available in your cell unit. All complaints or requests should be made initially to the Commanding Officer who will deal with them promptly if they are justified and within his authority to resolve. A formal complaint may also be made to the Registrar of the Tribunal at any time, provided that not more than two weeks have elapsed since the incident complained of. All such complaints must be acknowledged within twenty-four hours of receipt and must be dealt within two weeks of receipt.