Her Majesty Queen Noor
By Roy Lie A Tjam
On Thursday evening, 7th July 2016, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Dutch Foreign Minister H.E. Bert Koenders, Mayor of The Hague, Honourable Jozias Van Aartsen, H.E. Ambassador Thomas Miller, Chairman ICMP, Kathryn Bomberger, Director-General ICMP along with Norah Fuatham from Uganda and Ram Kumar Bhandari from Nepal, spoke at the formal opening of International Committee of Missing Persons’ (ICMP) new headquarters at Koninginnegracht 12 in The Hague. Coincidentally, it was also the celebration of 20 years of the ICMP.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157670548614570
The ICMP was founded on the 29th June 1996 by the initiative of the US President at the time Bill Clinton, in order to spearhead the effort to account for the 40,000 people who were missing as a result of the conflict in the country formerly known as Yugoslavia.
Twenty years later, more than 70 percent of those people have been accounted for (including 7,000 of the 8,000 victims of the Srebrenica genocide).
ICMP endeavors to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying the people missing as a result of armed conflicts, human rights abuses, disasters and other causes and to assist them in doing so.
The ICMP also supports the work of other organizations in their efforts and encourages public involvement in its activities as well as contributing to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing people.
A diverse audience consisting of Ambassadors, diplomats, past- and sitting Dutch politicians and masses of other people attended the function at the new ICMP Head Quarters in The Hague. Guests and speakers at the function included; Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jozias van Aartsen; Mayor of The Hague, HM Queen Noor, Wim Kok; former Dutch Prime Minister and representatives of families of the missing people around the world.
Minister Bert Koenders in his address applauded the ICMP for its achievements and encouraged them to proceed with the excellent job they are currently doing.
Mayor Jozias van Aartsen noted how, thanks to you (the ICMP), tens of thousands of victims of ethnic cleansing have received a proper burial. Rest assured that you can always rely on our support for you (the ICMP), and the important work carried out by you and your staff.
H.M Her Majesty Queen Noor reflected: I have been an ICMP Commissioner since 2001, I believe this organization’s role is indispensable in mitigating human suffering and in supporting the broad effort to maintain global stability. I hope that you will join me in supporting ICMP as it begins a new phase of its existence with the opening of its headquarters in The Hague
Norah Fuatham from Uganda and Ram Kumar Bhandari from Nepal, representatives of the family members of the missing people from their respective countries briefly addressed the audience, giving their thanks to the organization for all the help they have given them during this hard time.
Ambassador Thomas Miller, chairman ICMP: We are honored and grateful for the support of over 30 countries during the 20-year span of ICMP’s work. I would like to take this opportunity to announce the good news that Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, the former Foreign Minister of Thailand and the former Secretary-General of ASEAN, has just accepted our invitation to become an ICMP Commissioner. In conclusion, let me thank all of the organizations represented here this evening, including those that I haven’t had an opportunity to thank personally.
A classical music performance by Stichting Music Works concluded the evening.
