Gastlandverdrag tussen het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden en de Verenigde Naties betreffende het Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in '-s Gravenhage van het United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

UNICRI shall establish a Centre in the host State, to carry out the functions in accordance with the mandate of UNICRI set out in the Statute adopted by ECOSOC with Resolution No. 1989/56 of 24 May 1989 and any subsequent decision or resolution of the United Nations relevant to, and relating specifically to, UNICRI.

The seat of the Centre shall be located in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The Centre shall possess full juridical personality in the host State. This shall, in particular, include the capacity:

For the purpose of this Article, the Centre shall be represented by the Head of the Centre.

The Centre shall enjoy, in the territory of the host State, such privileges, immunities and facilities as are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes.

The General Convention shall apply to the Centre and the archives of the Centre. Furthermore, the Centre shall enjoy the privileges, immunities, and facilities set out in this Agreement.

The premises shall be inviolable. The competent authorities shall ensure that the Centre is not dispossessed and/or deprived of all or any part of its premises without its express consent.

The competent authorities shall not enter the premises to perform any official duty, except with the express consent, or at the request of the Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her. Judicial actions and the service or execution of legal process, including the seizure of private property, cannot be enforced on the premises except with the consent of, and in accordance with conditions approved by, the Head of the Centre or an official designated by him or her.

In case of fire or other emergency requiring prompt protective action, or in the event that the competent authorities have reasonable cause to believe that such an emergency has occurred or is about to occur on the premises, the consent of the Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her, to any necessary entry into the premises shall be presumed if neither of them can be contacted in time.

Subject to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, the competent authorities shall take the necessary action to protect the premises against fire or other emergency.

The Centre shall prevent its premises from being used as a refuge by persons who are avoiding arrest or the proper administration of justice under any law of the host State.

The competent authorities of the host State shall exercise due diligence to ensure that the security and tranquility of the premises are not impaired by any person or group(s) of persons attempting unauthorized entry into or onto the premises or creating disturbances in the immediate vicinity. As may be required for this purpose, the host State shall provide adequate police protection on the boundaries and in the vicinity of the premises.

If so requested by the Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her, the competent authorities shall, in consultation with the Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her, to the extent it is deemed necessary by the competent authorities, provide adequate protection, including police protection, for the preservation of law and order on the premises and for the removal of persons therefrom.

The Centre shall provide the competent authorities with all information relevant to the security and protection of the premises.

The premises of the Centre shall be under the control and authority of the Centre, as provided for in this Agreement.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the General Convention, the laws and regulations of the host State shall apply on the premises.

The Centre shall apply United Nations rules and regulations as are necessary for the carrying out of its functions. No laws or regulations of the host State which are inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the United Nations under this paragraph shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be applicable on the premises.

Any dispute between the Centre and the host State as to whether a rule or regulation of the United Nations comes within the ambit of this Article or as to whether a law or regulation of the host State is inconsistent with a rule or regulation of the United Nations under this Article shall promptly be settled by the procedure under Article 34 of this Agreement. Pending such settlement, the rule or regulation that is the subject of the dispute shall apply and the law or regulation of the host State shall be inapplicable on the premises to the extent that the Centre claims it to be inconsistent with the rule or regulation in question.

The competent authorities shall secure, upon the request of the Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her, on fair and equitable conditions, the public services needed by the Centre such as, but not limited to, postal, telephone, telegraphic services, any means of communication, electricity, water, gas, sewage, collection of waste, fire protection, local transportation and cleaning of public streets, including snow removal.

In cases where the services referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article are made available to the Centre by the competent authorities, or where the prices thereof are under their control, the rates for such services shall not exceed the lowest comparable rates accorded to essential agencies and organs of the host State.

In case of any interruption or threatened interruption of any such services, the Centre shall be accorded the priority given to essential agencies and organs of the host State, and the host State shall take steps accordingly to ensure that the work of the Centre is not prejudiced.

Upon request of the competent authorities, the Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her, shall make suitable arrangements to enable duly authorized representatives of the appropriate public services to inspect, repair, maintain, reconstruct and relocate utilities, conduits, mains and sewers on the premises under conditions which shall not unreasonably disturb the carrying out of the functions of the Centre.

The Centre, its funds, assets and other property, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall enjoy immunity from every form of legal process, except insofar as in any particular case the Secretary-General has expressly waived its immunity. It is understood, however, that no waiver of immunity shall extend to any measure of execution.

Funds, assets and other property of the Centre, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be immune from search, seizure, requisition, confiscation, expropriation and any other form of interference, whether by executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action.

To the extent necessary to carry out the functions of the Centre, funds, assets and other property of the Centre, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be exempt from restrictions, regulations, controls or moratoria of any nature.

The Centre shall have the right to operate all appropriate means of communication, including electronic means of communication, and shall have the right to use codes or ciphers for its official communications and correspondence. The official communications and correspondence of the Centre shall be inviolable.

The Centre shall have the right to dispatch and receive correspondence and other materials or communications by courier or in sealed bags, which shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities and facilities as diplomatic couriers and bags.

No censorship shall be applied to the official communications or correspondence of the Centre. Such immunity from censorship shall extend to printed matter, photographic and electronic data communications and other forms of communication as may be used by the Centre. The Centre shall have the right to operate radio, satellite and other telecommunication equipment on the United Nations registered frequencies or frequencies allocated to it by the host State in accordance with its national procedures. The host State shall endeavour to allocate to the Centre, to the extent possible, frequencies for which it has applied.

Within the scope of its official activities, the Centre, its assets, income and other property shall be exempt from:

The exemptions provided for in paragraph 1, subparagraphs e) through k), of this Article may be granted by way of a refund. These exemptions shall be applied in accordance with the formal requirements of the host State. These requirements, however, shall not affect the general principles laid down in paragraph 1 of this Article.

Goods acquired or imported under the terms set out in paragraph 1 of this Article shall not be sold, let out, given away or otherwise disposed of in the host State, except in accordance with conditions agreed upon with the host State.

The Centre shall not claim exemption from taxes which are, in fact, no more than charges for public utility services provided at a fixed rate according to the amount of services rendered and which can be specifically identified, described and itemized.

The Head of the Centre, together with members of his or her family forming part of the household who are not nationals or permanent residents of the host State, shall enjoy the privileges, immunities, exemptions and facilities accorded to heads of diplomatic missions in accordance with international law and in particular under the General Convention and the provisions of the Vienna Convention. He or she shall, inter alia, enjoy:

The Head of the Centre shall continue to be accorded immunity from legal process of every kind in respect of words which were spoken or written and all acts which were performed in his or her official capacity even after he or she ceased to perform his or her functions for the Centre.

With respect to the inheritance and gift tax, which depends upon residence, periods during which the Head of the Centre is present in the host State for the discharge of his or her functions shall not be considered as periods of residence.

The host State shall not be obliged to exempt from income tax pensions or annuities paid to former Heads of the Centre and the members of their family forming part of the household.

Persons referred to in this Article who are nationals or permanent residents of the host State shall enjoy within the host State only the privileges, immunities and facilities under Article V, Section 18 and Article VII of the General Convention, together with the following modifications and supplementary provisions:

Persons referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article shall not be subjected by the host State to any measure which may affect the free and independent performance of their functions for the Centre.

Officials of the Centre shall enjoy such privileges, immunities and facilities as are necessary for the independent performance of their functions. They shall enjoy privileges and immunities accorded to officials of the United Nations under Articles V and VII of the General Convention, including as modified and supplemented below:

In addition to the privileges, immunities and facilities listed in paragraph 1 of this Article, officials of the Centre of P-5 level and above, together with members of their family forming part of the household who are not nationals or permanent residents of the host State, shall be accorded the same privileges, immunities and facilities as the host State accords to diplomatic agents of comparable rank of the diplomatic missions established in the host State in conformity with the Vienna Convention.

In addition to the privileges, immunities and facilities listed in paragraph 1 of this Article officials of the Centre of P-4 level and below, together with members of their family forming part of the household who are not nationals or permanent residents of the host State, shall be accorded the same privileges, immunities and facilities as the host State accords to members of the administrative and technical and service staff of diplomatic missions established in the host State, in conformity with the Vienna Convention, provided that the immunity from criminal jurisdiction shall not extend to acts performed outside the course of their official duties.

With respect to the inheritance and gift tax, which depends upon residence, periods during which officials are present in the host State for the discharge of their functions shall not be considered as periods of residence.

The host State shall not be obliged to exempt from income tax pensions or annuities paid to former officials of the Centre and the members of their family forming part of the household.

Persons referred to in this Article who are nationals or permanent residents of the host State shall enjoy only the privileges, immunities and facilities under Article V, Section 18, and Article VII of the General Convention, including as modified and supplemented below:

Persons referred to in paragraph 6 under this Article shall not be subjected by the host State to any measure which may affect the free and independent performance of their functions for the Centre.

Experts on mission for the Centre shall enjoy the privileges and immunities, exemptions and facilities as are necessary for the independent performance of their functions for the Centre, and in particular, shall enjoy the privileges and immunities, exemptions and facilities under Articles VI and VII of the General Convention.

Experts on mission for the Centre shall be provided by the Head of the Centre with a document certifying that they are performing functions for the Centre and specifying a time period for which their functions will last. This certificate shall be withdrawn prior to its expiry if the expert on mission for the Centre is no longer performing functions for the Centre.

Members of the family forming part of the household of an official of the Centre shall be authorized to engage in gainful employment in the host State for the duration of the term of office of the official concerned.

Members of the family forming part of the household of an official of the Centre who obtain gainful employment shall enjoy no immunity from criminal, civil or administrative jurisdiction with respect to matters arising in the course of or in connection with such employment. However, any measures of execution shall be taken without infringing the inviolability of their person or of their residence, if they are entitled to such inviolability.

In case of the insolvency of a person aged under eighteen (18) with respect to a claim arising out of gainful employment of that person, the Centre shall seek to ensure that the official of the Centre of whose family the person concerned is a member, meets their private legal obligations that arise in this connection, and where necessary, the Secretary-General shall give prompt attention to a request for a waiver in this regard.

The employment referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be in accordance with the legislation of the host State, including fiscal and social security legislation.

Within eight (8) days after the commencement of an internship in the host State, the Centre shall request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to register any intern in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article.

Without prejudice to the applicable rules of the European Union with regard to the rights of citizens of a member state of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland or their family members, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall register interns for a maximum period of six (6) months, provided that the Centre supplies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a declaration signed by them, accompanied by adequate proof, to the effect that:

In exceptional circumstances, the maximum period of six (6) months mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Article, may be extended once by a maximum period of six (6) months. However, the total period of the internship shall not exceed a period of one (1) year.

The Centre shall not incur liability for damage resulting from non-fulfilment of the conditions of the declaration referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article by interns registered in accordance with that paragraph.

Under this Agreement, interns shall not enjoy privileges, immunities and facilities within the host State.

The privileges, immunities and facilities provided for in Articles 17, 18 and 19 of this Agreement are granted in the interests of the Centre and not for the personal benefit of the persons themselves.

The Secretary-General shall have the right and duty to waive the immunity granted under this Agreement of any person in any case where, in his opinion, the immunity would impede the course of justice and can be waived without prejudice to the interests of the Centre.

Whenever this Agreement imposes obligations on the competent authorities, the ultimate responsibility for the fulfilment of such obligations shall rest with the Government of the host State.

The host State shall promptly inform the Centre of the office designated to serve as the official contact point and to be primarily responsible for all matters in relation to this Agreement, as well as of any subsequent changes in this regard.

The Head of the Centre, or an official designated by him or her, shall serve as the official contact point for the host State and shall be primarily responsible for all matters in relation to this Agreement. The host State shall be informed promptly about this designation and of any subsequent changes in this regard.

The Centre shall cooperate at all times with the competent authorities to facilitate the proper administration of justice and the enforcement of the laws of the host State, to secure the observance of police regulations and to prevent the occurrence of any abuse in connection with the privileges, immunities and facilities accorded under this Agreement.

The Centre and the host State shall cooperate on security matters, taking into account the public order and national security interests of the host State.

Without prejudice to their privileges, immunities and facilities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges, immunities and facilities to respect the laws and regulations of the host State and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the host State.

The Centre shall cooperate with the competent authorities responsible for health, safety at work, electronic communications and fire prevention.

The Centre shall observe all security directives as agreed with the host State, as well as all directives of the competent authorities responsible for fire prevention regulations.

With respect to officials, the Centre shall promptly, but within eight (8) days, notify the host State of their date of appointment. With respect to interns, the Centre shall promptly, but within eight (8) days, notify the host State of the date of acceptation of such persons into the internship programme of UNICRI.

The Centre shall promptly, but within eight (8) days, notify the host State of the date of hiring of experts on missions, the date of hiring of persons in the personal employ of officials, and the date of hiring of personnel recruited locally in accordance with Article 22 of this Agreement.

In order to facilitate the entry and stay of the persons mentioned below, the Centre will promptly, and preferably no later than eight (8) days after the date of their first arrival in the host State, inform the host State of:

With respect to the persons referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, the Centre shall promptly, but within eight (8) days, notify the host State of their final departure or the termination of their functions or their involvement with UNICRI.

With respect to members of the family forming part of the household of officials of the Centre, the Centre shall, where appropriate, promptly, but within eight (8) days, notify the host State once a person has ceased to form part of the household.

With respect to persons in the personal employ of officials, the Centre shall, where appropriate, promptly, but within eight (8) days, notify the host State once a person is no longer in the personal employ of officials.

The host State shall issue an identity card which shall serve to identify the holder in relation to the competent authorities, to:

Upon request, the host State shall issue an identity card which shall serve to identify the holder in relation to the competent authorities to personnel recruited locally in accordance with Article 22 of this Agreement.

At the final departure of the persons referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article or when these persons have ceased to perform their functions, the identity card referred to in paragraph 7 and 8 of this article shall be promptly, and not later than within fifteen (15) days, be returned by the Centre to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In case persons who have ceased to perform their functions are not able to return the identity card referred to in paragraph 7 and 8 of this Article within the specified time period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be consulted immediately.

For purposes of official business of the persons listed below and the family members forming part of their household, the host State shall facilitate their entry into its territory, their departure from its territory and their transit to or from the premises of the Centre:

This Article shall not prevent the requirement of reasonable evidence to be provided by the Centre to establish that persons claiming the treatment provided for in this Article fall under one of the categories in paragraph 1 above.

Visas which may be required by persons referred to in this Article shall be granted without charge and as promptly as possible.

Without prejudice to the provisions of the General Convention, all the aforementioned persons who are entitled to the privileges and immunities under this Agreement, shall enjoy these privileges and immunities from the moment they enter the territory of the host State to take up their posts or to undertake official Centre-related duties and shall come to an end within a reasonable period after the expiry or termination of their contracts of employment or completion of their Centre-related duties.

The host State shall recognize and accept the United Nations laissez-passer as a valid travel document. Where applicable, the host State further agrees to issue any required visas in the United Nations laissez-passer.

The host State shall recognize and accept in accordance with the provisions of Section 26 of the General Convention the United Nations certificate issued to persons travelling on the business of the Centre.

Holders of a laissez-passer or a certificate indicating that they are travelling on the business of the Centre shall be granted facilities for speedy travel.

During their period of employment with the Centre, officials of the Centre, as well as members of their family forming part of the household and persons in the personal employ of those referred to in Article 26 paragraph 3(a) of this Agreement, shall be allowed to obtain from the host State a driving licence on presentation of their valid foreign driving licence or to continue to drive using their own valid foreign driving licence, provided they are in possession of an identity card issued by the host State in accordance with Article 26 of this Agreement.

During the period of their assignment, any person issued an identity card by the host State shall be allowed to continue to drive using their own valid foreign driving licence.

Without prejudice to the privileges, immunities and facilities granted under this Agreement, the competent authorities shall take effective and adequate action which may be required to ensure the security, safety and protection of persons referred to in this Agreement, indispensable for the proper functioning of the Centre, free from interference of any kind.

The Centre shall cooperate with the competent authorities with a view to facilitating the observance by all persons referred to in this Agreement of the directives necessary for their security and safety, as given to them by the competent authorities.

Without prejudice to their privileges, immunities and facilities, it is the duty of all persons referred to in this Agreement to observe the directives necessary for their security and safety, as given to them by the competent authorities.

All differences arising out of the interpretation or application of this Agreement or supplementary arrangements or agreements between the Parties shall be settled by consultation, negotiation or other agreed mode of settlement.

If the difference is not settled in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article within three months following a written request by one of the Parties to the difference, it shall, at the request of either Party, be referred to a Tribunal of three arbitrators. Each Party shall appoint one arbitrator, and the two arbitrators so appointed shall appoint a third, who shall be the chairperson of the Tribunal. If, within thirty days of the request for arbitration, a Party has not appointed an arbitrator, or if, within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of two arbitrators, the third arbitrator has not been appointed, either Party may request the President of the International Court of Justice to appoint the arbitrator referred to. The Tribunal shall determine its own procedures, provided that any two arbitrators shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, and all decisions shall require the agreement of any two arbitrators. The expenses of the Tribunal shall be borne by the Parties as assessed by the Tribunal. The arbitral award shall contain a statement of the reasons on which it is based and shall be final and binding on the Parties.

This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the Parties.

This Agreement shall be reviewed at the request of either Party.

This Agreement shall be interpreted in light of its primary purpose of enabling UNICRI through opening and maintaining its Centre in the host State to fully and efficiently discharge its responsibilities and fulfil its purposes.

The provisions of this Agreement shall be complementary to the provisions of the General Convention and the Vienna Convention, the latter Convention only insofar as it is relevant for the diplomatic privileges, immunities and facilities accorded to the appropriate categories of persons referred to in this Agreement. Insofar as any provision of this Agreement and any provisions of the General Convention and the Vienna Convention relate to the same subject matter, each of these provisions shall be applicable and neither shall narrow the effect of the other.

This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of its signature.

This Agreement shall cease to be in force by mutual consent of the Parties, or if the Centre is removed from the territory of the host State or upon completion of the Centre’s mandate, except for such provisions as may be applicable in connection with the orderly termination of the operations of the Centre in the host State and the disposition of its property therein, as well as provisions granting immunity from legal process of every kind in respect of words spoken or written or all acts performed in an official capacity under this Agreement.