10th Ibero-American Week of International Justice

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10th Ibero-American Week of International Justice

On 7 June 2023, the Opening Ceremony of the 10th Ibero-American Week of International Justice in The Hague (“the Week”) co-organized by the Ibero-American Institute of The Hague (IIH) and the International Criminal Court (ICC or Court) was held at ICC headquarters. The Week is an annual academic event that has consolidated itself as a benchmark event in Spanish in the field of international law. Due to the pandemic, the Week had not been held in person since 2019.  

The Opening Ceremony, which in previous editions was held at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) took place in Spanish in its entirety. The event, enlivened with live music financed by the Embassy of Spain, was attended by about 150 persons: representatives of States, international organizations, Latin American students, professors, judges and prosecutors, and members of civil society committed to the importance of both the influence of Spanish and the Ibero-American tradition in international justice.

ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler. On 7 June 2023, the 10th edition of the Ibero-American Week of International Justice and Human Rights opened with a ceremony held at the Seat of the ICC in The Hague.

As the host, the ICC Registrar, H.E. Mr. Osvaldo Zavala Giler, opened the Ceremony: “As the first Latin American Registrar of the ICC, it is an honor and a pride to host the Opening Ceremony of the 10th Ibero-American Week of International Justice for the first time at the ICC.” The Registrar recalled that the Court has been supporting the activities of the week consistently during 10 years and highlighted the role of Latin American academia in the development, implementation and support of the system created by the Rome Statute. 

Attendees also listened to the words of Dr. Hector Olasolo, President of the IIH and Professor at the Universidad del Rosario (Colombia) who promoted and has coordinated the activities of the Week throughout this decade. “There are many people that have made it possible for the Ibero-American Week to have acquired the form and content that it presents today,” said Professor Olasolo, thanking, among others, the host state and the embassies of the Ibero-American countries for their support. “Their support, and provision of their facilities, has allowed us to consolidate, in this magnificent City of The Hague, a multicultural project such as Ibero-American Week, which is the best proof of the universal scope of international justice, and of the City of The Hague as its epicenter.”

This intervention was followed by that of Dr. Cristina Hoss, Legal Officer of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), who represented H.E. Mr. Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the ICJ and conveyed his remarks. In her speech, she recalled “the legacy of Ibero-American thought and legal traditions not only in international law, but also within the International Court of Justice” and reflected on “the future of Ibero-American legal thought and culture in today’s world – tormented by several international challenges”.

H.E. Ms. Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC on 7 June 2023, at the 10th edition of the Ibero-American Week of International Justice and Human Rights.

H.E. Ms. Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC, stressed in her speech: “This week, which consistently brings together Ibero-American states, is very important to strengthen the underlying values of the International Criminal Court. The universal aspiration of the Rome Statute system rests on respect for the diversity of regions and legal systems. Ibero-American countries have come together to promote their traditions, values and interests and, in doing so, they have contributed to furthering the global objectives of the Court and strengthening cooperation with its activities”.

This was followed by the intervention of H.E. Henk Cor van der Kwast, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the ICC and OPCW, who stated: “The Kingdom of the Netherlands firmly believes in promoting respect for international law and strengthening the rules-based international order (…). Your region and our Kingdom already have a strong record of cooperation in multilateral forums, and we continue to work on the development of the international legal order.”

H.E. Jaime Moscoso Valenzuela, Ambassador of Chile to the Netherlands . On 7 June 2023, the 10th edition of the Ibero-American Week of International Justice and Human Rights opened with a ceremony held at the Seat of the ICC in The Hague.

For his part, H.E. Jaime Moscoso Valenzuela, Ambassador of Chile to the Netherlands and current Coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), highlighted “the vitality of the Spanish language in the international legal context and the collective strength of Spanish-speaking countries in making its use visible and generalized”. Ambassador Moscoso reminded the crucial contribution of the countries of the region to the field of international Law, Human Rights and transitional Justice. “This reality encourages us to continue proposing that the use of Spanish be considered as a valid language for the pursuit of international justice and, therefore, that it be recognized in the statutes of the courts and tribunals,” he added.

On 7 June 2023, the 10th edition of the Ibero-American Week of International Justice and Human Rights opened with a ceremony held at the Seat of the ICC in The Hague.

H.E. Judge Luz Ibáñez Carranza, ICC’s First Vice-President, was the keynote speaker with her speech on the centrality of human rights in the field of international criminal justice : “The international criminal justice system of this Court is increasingly committed to the centrality of human rights. This task has never been easy and initially faced considerable resistance, as it was believed that only criminal or public international law criteria should be applied. Fortunately, this situation is changing and evolving, with an increasing consideration of human rights at stake. That is why it is important, that you young people, who have attended this great meeting and come from different parts of Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, internalize the great battle that international justice has to fight and your great responsibility in the face of the values that sustain us as humanity that are consolidated in the current human rights.”

The 10th Ibero-American Week of International Justice provided a unique and enriching atmosphere for Spanish speakers with different academic activities, presentations of publications, seminars and discussions that took place at the headquarters of several Embassies, the ICC and the Hague University for Applied Sciences.

During the Week, in addition to the 8th Seminar on Ibero-American Thought, the preliminary hearings of the 10th Edition Spanish version of the ICC Moot Court Competition were held. These took place for the first time in person after the pandemic. They gathered 58 students from 11 Latin American countries. The final round took place on 7 June 2023 in the afternoon, also at the ICC headquarters. On the judge’s bench for this competition were ICC Vice-President Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Judge Socorro Flores Liera and Judge Sergio Ugalde Godínez.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) won the competition. The University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and the University of Nariño (Colombia) won, respectively, second and third places. The award for the Best Speaker went to Julieta Valentina Ricagno of the University of Buenos Aires. 

ODIHR opens election observation mission to Uzbekistan

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ODIHR opens election observation mission to Uzbekistan

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 9 July early presidential election in Uzbekistan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is headed by Ambassador Urszula Gacek and consists of a core team of 11 international experts based in Tashkent and 24 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 14 June. ODIHR will request 250 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day.

The mission will assess the conduct of the election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the election, including pre- and post-election developments. Specific areas of focus include the implementation of the legal framework, the conduct of the campaign, including on social networks, the work of the election administration at all levels, election dispute resolution and media coverage. The observers will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.

An interim report will be published some two weeks prior to the election to update the public and the media on the observation mission’s activities. The day after the election, the mission’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report with an assessment of the entire election process and containing recommendations will be published some months after the election.

His Majesty the King’s Address at the Annual Gala Dinner

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His Majesty the King’s Address at the Annual Gala Dinner

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam witnessed the grandeur of the Annual Gala Dinner hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Netherlands. The distinguished gathering included Heads of Diplomatic Mission accredited to the Court of His Majesty and eminent Dutch Scientists and scholars.

The highlight of the event was the King’s speech, where the King’s address touched upon pressing global issues, celebrated collective achievements, and underscored the significance of dialogue and cooperation.

H.E. Mr. Roberto Calzadilla Sarmiento, Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Ambassador of Estonia, H.E. Mr. Lauri Kuusing, Ms. Tanja Röling, Deputy Director Western Hemisphere – Minbuza, the Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Paulo Roberto França. Caminha, H.E. Mr. Alvaro Gonzalez Otero, Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzabal, Ambassador of Argentina, H.E. Ms. Anet Pino Rivero, Ambassador of Cuba, H.E. Mr. Juan Bautista Duran, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Mr. Rajendre Khargi, Ambassador of Suriname, Mr. Wilhen Diaz Lara, Charge d’affairs of Venezuela, H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman, Ambassador of Panama, Mr. Lesther Antonio Ortega Lemus, Charge d’affaires of Guatemala and H.E. Ms. Carolina Olarte Bácares, Ambassador of Colombia.

His Majesty highlighted the annual dinner as a gesture of appreciation for the vital role diplomats play in fostering understanding and cooperation. Acknowledging the importance of openness and dialogue, the King emphasized the necessity of knowing and listening to each other’s stories to prevent the world from becoming a threatening and desolate place.

Empathy for Global Concerns

The monarch exhibited a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the international community, especially in regions grappling with crises. “I’m thinking, for example, of the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region, especially Sudan and neighbouring countries. Millions of people are fleeing the violence, living in fear and suffering from hunger. He declared.  

The King also reiterated unwavering support for the people of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law.

Facing Crises and Finding Solutions

While recognizing the myriad global crises, His Majesty shifted the focus to the positive aspects, highlighting instances where collective action overcame adversity. The King referenced the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent agreement on the High Seas Treaty as examples of international unity. He encouraged a similar collaborative approach to combat climate change. “I hope that we can also find the ability to bring momentum to the fight against climate change. The rapid rise of sustainable energy sources is encouraging.

Please allow me this small expression of national pride: the Netherlands is second only to Australia in its per capita generation of solar energy. Anyone who knows how changeable the weather is we have in this country may find that hard to believe. But it’s true.”

H.E. Ms. Susannah Hayden Gordon, Ambassador of New Zealand, H.E. Ms. Kateřina Sequensová, Ambassador of Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica and H.E. Ms. Beti Jacheva, Ambassador of North Macedonia.

Celebrating Academic Freedom and Innovation

In a unique twist, the King extended the discussion beyond diplomacy. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this evening made a small contribution to solutions? To help bring that about, we invited a special group of people to join us: Scientists and scholars in fields that are of great international importance. Climate, health, water, agriculture, nature and economics, but also law and philosophy.”

Emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and independence, the monarch paid tribute to the responsibility borne by scholars in guiding society towards a better future.

A Toast to Understanding and Cooperation

Concluding his address, His Majesty invited the guests to raise their glasses in a toast. The toast was dedicated “To understanding among nations and to our cooperation.” The sentiment encapsulated the essence of the evening — an acknowledgment of shared challenges, a celebration of collective achievements, and a commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration among nations.

The Ambassador of Estonia, H.E. Mr. Lauri Kuusing and the Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Ward Neiman.

Prosecutor Serge Brammertz Addresses the United Nations Security Council

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Prosecutor Serge Brammertz Addresses the United Nations Security Council

Arusha, The Hague, 12 June 2023 – Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), today addressed the United Nations Security Council about the work of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP).

Prosecutor Brammertz focused his remarks on recent developments following the submission of his written report on 15 May 2023.

He began by briefing the Security Council on the successful arrest of Rwandan fugitive Fulgence Kayishema on 23 May in Paarl, South Africa. The Prosecutor stated, “Kayishema’s arrest is a signal moment in the global effort to punish perpetrators of genocide.”

He noted that an arrest of a fugitive “renews faith in international justice,” as for the victims and survivors of Kayishema’s crimes, “[t]he wrongs they suffered thirty years ago can begin to now be put right.” In addition, this arrest demonstrated again the international community’s “determination to ensure that genocide is repressed and punished.”

Prosecutor Brammertz further highlighted the critical role played by United Nations Member States in the investigation and arrest. He informed the Security Council that the OTP “enjoyed the full and unreserved support of South African authorities, who established an operational task force to assist our investigations.” He also commended the support provided by Eswatini, whose authorities demonstrated exceptional dedication and cooperation, as well as Mozambique, whose Attorney General offered the full support of her office. He noted that as always, Rwandan authorities “made enormous contributions to our success.”

On behalf of the OTP, Prosecutor Brammertz extended “our deepest gratitude to these countries and others who cooperated with our investigation. The challenges were immense, and it was only by working so closely together that Kayishema was finally located and arrested.”

Prosecutor Brammertz then updated the Security Council on the recent appeal judgement in the final ICTY case, Stanišić and Simatović. He noted that the Appeals Chamber accepted the OTP’s arguments and found that both accused were criminally responsible as members of a joint criminal enterprise for a larger number of crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stanišić and Simatović shared the intention with other Serbian, Croatian Serb and Bosnian Serb leaders to ethnically cleanse non-Serbs from large areas of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They further contributed to the implementation of the joint criminal enterprise in important ways, particularly by supporting notorious paramilitary groups.

Reflecting on this result, Prosecutor Brammertz stated, “This judgement is a fitting final chapter in the work of the ICTY. Over thirty years of work, we were able to successfully prosecute senior political, military and police officials from all sides of the conflicts. We demonstrated that accountability for the most serious international crimes is possible, while also leaving as our legacy a record of what occurred.”

Prosecutor Brammertz also noted the recent decision in the Kabuga case. While explaining that the decision is not yet final and will likely be appealed, he stated, “What I can say at this point is that my Office believes the trial against Kabuga can and should be completed in a manner that is consistent with the rights of the accused.”

Looking forward, Prosecutor Brammertz informed the Security Council that “the Mechanism is actively planning its future as a true residual institution.” In this regard, he explained that for the OTP, in the coming years “our focus will in particular be on our mandate under Article 28(3) to assist national jurisdictions to continue the accountability process for international crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.” He noted that “there can be no question that much more justice still needs to be achieved at the national level”, highlighting that in Rwanda, “there are more than 1,000 fugitives to be prosecuted”, while in the former Yugoslavia, “national prosecutors still must deal with several thousand cases.” The OTP, he said, “plays a critical role in supporting this continued accountability process”, by which “Member States themselves take the lead in securing further justice and promoting peace.”

In conclusion, Prosecutor Brammertz reminded the Security Council that genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals remain significant concerns. He said, “The international community is determined to bring war criminals to trial. It should be equally committed to promoting the truth after those trials are completed.”

Berlin reception for 19 chefs de mission 

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Berlin reception for 19 chefs de mission 

Friday, 29 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: In the iconic Red City Hall of the City-State of Berlin, Governing Mayor Kai Wegner hosted nineteen recently accredited ambassadors in Germany for a reception meant to become acquainted with the foreign envoys.  

Kai Wegner (b. 1972) took office as governing mayor on 27 April 2023, and hence this reception was of particular importance for him; being the first Christian Democrat to helm the city-state of Berlin since Eberhard Diepgen left the same office in 2001. Previously Governing Mayor Wegner had served as a member of the German federal parliament from 2005 to 2021. In 2019, he became the chairman of the CDU in Berlin, and leader of the opposition in the Chamber of Deputies. 

Dariusz Pawłoś (Republic of Poland); Ilham Ahmed (Republic of Sudan); Jean-Paul Senninger (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg); Lanka Muthukumarana (Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka); Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov (Republic of Kazakhstan).

In total 158 foreign powers are currently represented through diplomatic missions in Berlin, Germany. 

For further information:
The Governing Mayor of Berlin: https://www.berlin.de/rbmskzl/

Picture by Landesarchiv / Wunstorf

India’s G20 presidency against marine litter: the Indian Embassy’s beach clean-up initiative in The Hague

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India’s G20 presidency against marine litter: the Indian Embassy’s beach clean-up initiative in The Hague

By Swami Jonard

“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, or “One Earth, One Family, One Future” is the phrase that India chose to define its presidency to the G20 in 2023. Embracing this spirit, the Embassy of India in the Netherlands gathered over 150 people to clean up the Scheveningen beach on May 12, 2023, as an effort to raise awareness on plastic pollution through a citizen-driven initiative.

As highlighted by H.E. Ambassador Reenat Sandhu, India’s 2023 presidency in the G20, where the Netherlands is a guest member along with 8 other countries, sets a strong focus on fighting marine litter, as reflected by many of the country’s recent initiatives throughout the world. Through numerous beach clean-up events across many countries, India aspires to be a leading actor in the efforts against climate change and pollution and set the example to lead the world to a more sustainable future.

Indian Embassy’s beach clean-up initiative in The Hague.

While being initiated by the Indian Embassy, this event is the result of a collaboration with civil society actors and public administrations of the Netherlands. The trash collection itself was organised by TrashUre Hunt, a Dutch NGO that organises beach clean-ups all over the Netherlands in the playful form of a treasure hunt. Another contributor was Stichting de Noordzee, an organisation dedicated to the protection of the North Sea from pollution and waste by producing knowledge and solutions to influence environmental policy. The city of the Hague supported the event as well, represented by Deputy Mayor Hilbert Bredemeijer who emphasised in his speech how India’s initiative follows the same path as the city’s efforts in fighting marine pollution.

Finally, the presence of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands showed the country’s efforts of cooperation with India on sustainability and environmental challenges. Overall, this inspiring array of actors fully embodied the different sides of the struggle against marine pollution, from scientific to institutional to civil action.

Indian Embassy’s beach clean-up initiative in The Hague.

The event in question took place in a warm afternoon of mid-spring near the pier of the Scheveningen beach, an iconic location where many Dutch people spend their summer days, along with kite-surfers enjoying the strong winds of the North Sea. This highly touristic site is also a victim of its success, as the litter inevitably accumulates in the high season. This makes a perfect location to organise a collective clean-up action. Around three o’clock, the registered participants started accumulating near the meeting point, where they were welcomed by the organisers. The group included local citizens as well as diplomats from other countries and was brought together by the different organisations collaborating in the event.

Their first sight was a museum of marine waste built by TrashUre Hunt, where all different kinds of objects found on the beach and in the sea were categorised and put on display. Its purpose was both to inform the public about what happens to plastic let loose in the environment, and to inspire them to repurpose waste, by showcasing various sculptures created from it.

The attendees were first welcomed to get acquainted with each other and to meet the organisers, around South Indian coffee and millet biscuits offered to celebrate the international year of the grain. They were shortly after invited to assist speeches given by the representatives of the different organisations: Ambassador of India Ms. Reenat Sandu, Director General of the Ministry of Infrastructure Ms. Afke van Rijn, Deputy Mayor of The Hague Mr. Hilbert Bredemeijer, Director of Stichting de Noordzee Ms. Wytske Postma and Founder of TrashUre Hunt Mr. Ralph Groenheijde who explained the rules of the treasure hunt.

After being divided in teams, the participants were sent to several locations on the beach to collect as much trash as possible. The collection was organised as a playful competition where the teams would earn points by the weight of trash collected as well as the number of cigarette butts, which are known to be the most widespread type of marine litter. After some time of walking around, the collected waste was counted and weighed. The participants found out that they had gathered 240 kg of waste, including an impressive 5420 cigarette butts. A sizable result for a mere hour and a half of scavenging. Finally, the contributors were reminded that more than a competition, their achievement was a telling example of what can be accomplished through collective effort, and that joint citizen action is an indispensable force to fight for a sustainable world.

The beach clean-up was overall a great opportunity for everyone to learn that the strive for sustainability is a multifaceted challenge that requires initiatives from many different actors. The dignitaries that introduced the event made sure to show that these initiatives need to extend beyond civil awareness and reach all levels of society, economy and governance.

In her speech, the Ministry’s representative Ms. Afke van Rijn insisted on the importance of international cooperation in addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and congratulated the Indian Embassy for showing it through their initiative. With marine litter as a main focus of the G20 this year, she expressed that plastic pollution should be tackled not only by raising awareness, but mainly through regulations and institutional action all over the world. Such action should be aimed at targeting the problem at its source, and at transitioning to a circular economy that prevents the production of excessive waste. She finally mentioned the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution, which is currently still a project, as an example of international regulations that would help tackle ocean waste coherently on a global scale.

On the other side of this cooperation, Ambassador Sandhu’s speech situated the event in the larger context of the G20’s objectives under the Indian presidency. As shown by the slogan ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, this presidency focuses on the very contemporary SDGs, and the Ambassador highlighted the importance of promoting a sustainable lifestyle to achieve them. She emphasised the contribution that India can give on this aspect through Mission LiFE, or Lifestyle for Environment, a citizen movement meant to encourage a model of resilience in individuals and communities inherited from Indian tradition. According to her, an environmental initiative in the Netherlands has a lot of meaning since the country has a strong focus on sustainability as well as an active civil society to tackle it.

Moreover, the two countries have a strong bilateral relation and show a lot of potential for future cooperation on sustainable development. Finally, she showed how the Scheveningen beach clean-up event is the continuity of a large-scale effort of India to combat marine litter through the Mega Beach Clean-up, a large-scale event where 75 beaches in India were cleaned by volunteers in 75 days, as to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

Beyond cleaning the seaside, India’s G20 presidency encompasses a much broader scope on the SDGs, including the preservation of oceans. A major event for environmental protection in the G20 was the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group meeting, held twice so far, which defined three areas of focus that the participating countries committed to act upon: land preservation, circular economy and resilient ocean management.

The latter theme focuses on the drive to promote a ‘Blue Economy’, an economic model in which the oceans’ resources are used sustainably, in a way that respects and contributes to their natural cycle and ensures their preservation. This model includes resource management, elimination of waste, preservation of biodiversity while promoting economic growth from the ocean’s resources.

Regarding these goals, India strives for its presidency to be action-driven, as shown by the Mega Beach Clean-up and many other initiatives. Ocean and water management is also a theme that relates a lot to Indo-Dutch cooperation in the area of sustainability. With its long history of expertise in the field, the Netherlands has contributed a lot to so called ‘water diplomacy’ in India by sending Special Water Envoys leading technology transfer projects in areas such as freshwater supply and flood control.

This contribution takes place as well in the field of smart sustainable agriculture and has prospects of extending to renewable energy implementation. In this regard, the cooperation between the Netherlands and India for the SDGs has a bright future ahead of itself.

The overall message of the Scheveningen beach clean-up day is one of collaboration. The event has brought together citizens, government officials and civil society to not only raise awareness but also to mutually motivate and encourage each other’s contributions to environmental actions.

Returning to Ambassador Sandhu’s words on India’s G20 slogan, our shared future on our shared Earth depends on the collective action of different countries, individuals and institutions working together.

Photography courtesy of the Embassy of India in The Hague.

Sources:

The risk of global famine and the disruption in the supply of Belarusian potash

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The risk of global famine and the disruption in the supply of Belarusian potash

By H.E. Ambassador Andrei Yeudachenka, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus in the Kingdom of The Netherlands

“Belarus also offers, unconditionally, its territory as a transit route for Ukrainian grain to reach Baltic Sea ports”

Belarus stands today as the world’s second largest producer of potash, a material integral to the nation’s thriving agricultural sector. The country is renowned for producing high-quality agricultural and dairy products such as butter, cheese, or milk. All in all, Belarus owes its prosperity in part to the use of potash in farming.

A growing concern today is the risk of global famine due to potential disruptions in the supply of Belarusian potash; as fertilizer shortages persist, the threat of food insecurity and severe hunger looms large for millions worldwide.

Statistics from the United Nations World Food Programme reveal that approximately 345 million people across 82 countries are currently grappling with acute food insecurity. This figure is up from 282 million at the end of 2021. Furthermore, up to 50 million people across 45 countries are on the brink of starvation.

Fertilizers are pivotal to achieving global food security. Amidst the ongoing fertilizer crisis, which goes back to a similar situation in the 1970s, the importance of potassium as one of the three primary crop nutrients (alongside nitrogen and phosphorus) cannot be overstated. The absence of these nutrients can potentially reduce crop yield by as much as 50% for certain crops.

JSC Belaruskali, the only producer of potash fertilizers in Belarus and the world’s second-largest potash producer, used to account for 20% of global potash trade. However, due to restrictions and sanctions imposed on Belarusian potash and its sole producer by the US, the EU, and certain EU members, the company’s contribution to global production and export plummeted to 10% by mid-2022. This has led to a global output reduction of 16.3% (or 5.9 million tonnes) and a 20.2% decrease in global exports (or 5.8 million tonnes) compared to the same period in 2021.

Interestingly, other countries, including Russia, have been exempted from these measures due to the humanitarian nature of the commodity. Meanwhile, the demand for potash continues to grow in line with the increasing global population. Due to the lifecycle of potash production, any significant increase in capacity is likely only in Canada, and not before 2025. Thus, neither Canada nor any other country can adequately compensate for the volume of Belarusian potash taken off the market due to these restrictions in 2023 or 2024.

The global food security situation worsens as potash shortages develop, allowing other global suppliers to exploit the situation, inflate prices, and increase profits. This trend consequently places a financial burden on farmers, negatively impacts yields, and contributes to rising food prices.

In light of the significant risk to global food security, Belarus appeals to the international community for assistance in exempting Belarusian potash from these restrictions and restoring unhindered transit of its fertilizers to global markets, including those in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Belarus also offers, unconditionally, its territory as a transit route for Ukrainian grain to reach Baltic Sea ports.

Belarus believes that ensuring global food security should be a priority for all international actors, including European countries.

Ambassador Yeudachenka, Embassy of Belarus in The Hague.

A brief overview of Belarus’ economy:

  • Belarus is a landlocked country bordered by Latvia (161 km), Lithuania (640 km), Poland (375 km), Russia (1,312 km), and Ukraine (1,111 km). Its terrain is generally flat, characterized by marshlands, a result of glacial scouring which also accounts for the country’s 11,000 lakes. Approximately 43.7% of Belarus’ land is agricultural, with 15.9% designated as permanent pasture (2018 estimates).
  • Belarus is characterized by a significant percentage of land dedicated to agriculture (43.7% as of 2018) and a substantial portion allocated as permanent pasture (15.9% in 2018). In fact, the country boasts a wide array of agricultural products, including milk, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rye, rapeseed, and poultry.
  • Belarus’ diverse industries range from manufacturing metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, and earthmovers to producing motorcycles, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, and textiles. The country is also known for its production of refrigerators, washing machines, and other household appliances.
  • On the trade front, Belarus has shown a consistent export performance with $49.425 billion in 2021, $37.183 billion in 2020, and $41.975 billion in 2019. The country’s primary export partners include Russia (42%), Ukraine (13%), and the United Kingdom (7%) as of 2019. The leading exported commodities in 2021 were fertilizers, refined petroleum, cheese, delivery trucks, and lumber.
  • Concerning imports, Belarus registered $45.459 billion in 2021, $35.236 billion in 2020, and $42.378 billion in 2019, with figures quoted in the respective year’s dollars. The main import partners are Russia (57%), China (7%), Poland (5%), Germany (5%), and Ukraine (5%), as reported in 2019.

European Judicial Network celebrates 25 years, seeing rise in requests for day-to-day judicial cooperation

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European Judicial Network celebrates 25 years, seeing rise in requests for day-to-day judicial cooperation

The Hague, 12 June 2023

The European Judicial Network (EJN) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The anniversary, together with key EU developments in the area of judicial cooperation,  will be featured during the EJN plenary meeting in Stockholm being held between the 12th and 14th of June. The EJN assists judges and prosecutors with day-to-day cooperation on criminal justice matters worldwide, via a network of National Contact Points.

The EJN has seen the requests for this kind of collaboration rise, with 8 000 new reported cases and approximately 4 million website page views per year. The scope of the EJN meeting will include how to build on this success and improve cooperation in the future.

Per Hedvall

Mr Per Hedvall, Chairman of the 60th EJN Plenary Meeting under the Swedish Presidency said: ’I have the honour of chairing the 60th Plenary Meeting of the EJN, an event which marks that, in 25 years, it has become a key player in the field of international judicial cooperation. Its operational approach has proven to be a success. The plenary meetings are essential to create a forum for the Contact Points of the EJN to meet and discuss issues relating to international judicial cooperation. The networking during these meetings lays the foundation for trust and understanding, which is crucial to efficient cooperation.’

Mr Hugh Dockry, recently appointed Secretary to the EJN, stated: ‘Since its creation, the European Judicial Network has proven to be a very important instrument to enable concrete cooperation between judges and prosecutors, in order to fight crime, combat impunity and reinforce the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. From my experience as an expert in judicial cooperation in criminal matters and a practitioner in Ireland, I can tell how valuable establishing ties with fellow prosecutors and exchanging information via the EJN is. Since taking up my new role as Secretary, I am looking forward to building on this cooperation and enhancing it in the future, in close collaboration with colleagues at Eurojust.’

The EJN was set up in June 1998 by the Council of the European Union to assist judicial practitioners in combating cross-border crime. Its main purpose is to facilitate requests for practical and bilateral direct cooperation between judicial authorities, prosecutors and Ministries of Justice.

The EJN specialises in direct one-to-one contact to resolve legal issues as well as undertaking preparatory work for judicial cooperation. The role of the EJN can be seen as complementary to Eurojust’s and allows national authorities to receive adequate support from either body depending on the specifics of their case. For this reason, the EJN Secretariat is hosted at Eurojust in The Hague.

EJN assistance can, for instance, concern requests on the status of investigations and which authorities are involved or how to establish contacts in other countries. Furthermore, the EJN can assist judges and prosecutors in establishing who is competent to execute requests for European Investigation Orders (EIOs), European Arrest Warrants (EAWs), Freezing Certificates (FC) or Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAs).

This important support enables direct communication between judges and prosecution services, without having to open a case via National Desks or Liaison Prosecutors at Eurojust. This allows them to focus on longer-term and large-scale criminal justice and multilateral cooperation. EJN operates via a network of approximately 450 Contact Points in EU Member States and beyond.

The EJN Contact Points are coordinated via National Correspondents, and its work is supported by a Secretariat and a rotating Presidency Board, which follows the rotation scheme of the Council of the European Union. During the past 10 years, the Contact Points have reported more than 90 000 cases.

The EJN also delivers important contributions to the drafting and implementation of EU legal instruments such as the e-Evidene package. Its website, maintained by the EJN Secretariat, offers practical guidance via its Judicial Atlas of Contact Points and Competent Authorities. The Compendium offers access to forms for EAWs and MLAs in all 24 official languages of the EU, via e-tools designed by practitioners to assist authorities in filling, drafting and sending the requests.

The Judicial Atlas allows authorities to identify the authority that is competent to receive the request depending on the type of assistance, nature of crime and other criteria, determined by the national legislation of the Member States. The majority of the tools and information on the EJN website is publicly available, and is widely used throughout the EU and beyond with visits from more than 100 countries.

Mr Hugh Dockry became Secretary to the EJN in January this year, succeeding Mr Ola Löfgren. He has extensive experience gained from 14 years spent in the Chief State Sollicitor’s Office of Ireland, with  ten of those years working on cooperation in judicial matters. He was, in particular, responsible for the execution of incoming EAWs and extradition requests. He later worked in the Criminal Justice Legislation Division of the Department of Justice, drafting and implementing judicial cooperation instruments.

In 2020, he was seconded as a national expert to the Directorate General for Justice of the European Commission, with responsibility for judicial cooperation instruments, with particular responsibility for EAWs, and detention conditions. Prior to his post at the EJN, Mr Dockry was seconded national expert for Ireland at the Justice and Home Affairs directorate of the Legal Service of the European Commission.

President Gatti Santana briefs the UN Security Council on progress of Mechanism work

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President Gatti Santana briefs the UN Security Council on progress of Mechanism work

Arusha, The Hague, 12 June 2023 – Today the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, presented the Mechanism’s twenty-second progress report to the United Nations Security Council in New York.

President Gatti Santana commenced her address by recalling the Council’s exceptional decision in May 1993 to establish the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which “asserted the rule of law and served as a warning to others elsewhere that violations of international humanitarian law would not be tolerated and, more importantly, that they should not go unpunished”. The President remarked that with the recent issuance of the Appeal Judgement in the case against Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović, the ambitious journey of the ICTY has come to an end, in so far as the cases against all 161 persons indicted by that Tribunal have now been concluded.

In relation to the ongoing case against Félicien Kabuga, President Gatti Santana referred to the Trial Chamber’s decision of 6 June, in which the Majority found that the Accused is not fit to stand trial and is very unlikely to regain fitness, and decided that it will nonetheless continue the proceedings through an “alternative findings procedure”. She observed that this decision is expected to be appealed.

Turning to other matters, the President praised the work of the Office of the Prosecutor and its fugitive tracking team, noting that the recent arrest of Fulgence Kayishema in South Africa “serves as a stark reminder that even after all these years, justice remains achievable […].” Separately, the President noted that the Mechanism will be responsible for monitoring the proceedings against Kayishema in Rwanda and expressed confidence in Rwanda’s continuing ability to discharge cases relating to international crimes efficiently and effectively.

President Gatti Santana then addressed three areas that require the urgent attention and assistance of the Council, the first relating to the enforcement of sentences. In this context, she conveyed profound gratitude to those 13 States that are contributing to the fulfilment of the Mechanism’s mandate by enforcing sentences, but noted that the burden is not shared equally by Member States. Moreover, due to the limited ability of some States to enforce lengthy sentences, some convicted persons have recently been returned to the United Nations Detention Unit in The Hague, which has repercussions for the Mechanism as well as the Host State.

With respect to the second challenge, concerning the acquitted or released persons relocated to Niger in December 2021, President Gatti Santana underlined that the Mechanism is not in a position to resolve this predicament alone and urged the Council “to appreciate how the status quo is untenable in every respect”.

Finally, the President stressed that arguably the biggest threat faced by the Mechanism is the relentless attempts to undermine its work and that of its predecessor Tribunals, including through genocide denial, glorification of war criminals and the purported re-writing of history, noting also Serbia’s persistent failure to arrest Petar Jojić and Vjerica Radeta. She indicated that in the face of these challenges, one of her key priorities is to consolidate, safeguard and make more accessible the invaluable legacy of the ad hoc Tribunals and the Mechanism.

In closing, President Gatti Santana reflected on the next phase of the Mechanism’s operations, underscoring the significant progress the Mechanism has made with regard to the planning of its future and expressing her determination “to continue pursuing innovative, more efficient ways of operating and to take all necessary steps to keep achieving positive results”. 

Croatian wine has a new ambassador

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Croatian wine has a new ambassador

By Alexandra Paucescu

On the last day of May, the Croatian embassy in The Hague together with the wine importer Croatiangrapes.com  organized a professional wine tasting. On this occasion, wine centipede Barbara Verbeek has been appointed Croatian Wine Ambassador 2023 in the Netherlands by the Croatian ambassador, HE Ms. Dubravka Plejić Marković. 

Most of the distinguished attendees where professionals from the wine and media industries. The Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, the Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Mr. Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia, the Ambassador of Tanzania, H.E. Ms. Caroline Kitana Chipeta, the Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Ms. Clara Nunes dos Santos and the Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Ms. Caterina Ghini also took part in the event.

The Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Mr. Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia, the Ambassador of Tanzania, H.E. Ms. Caroline Kitana Chipeta, Ambassador Marković, the Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe and the Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Ms. Caterina Ghini.

This year it’s the fourth time that the title has been awarded in the Netherlands. The honor previously fell to Sabas Joosten (then head sommelier of De Librije), cheese expert Betty Koster and wine writer Hubrecht Duijker.

It is a recognition that the person who receives the title has contributed in a special way to the promotion of Croatian wine in the Netherlands. According to the nomination committee, chaired this year by the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, HE Ms. Dubravka Plejić Marković and wine importers Mario Pranić and Diederik Swart, Barbara Verbeek is the perfect person to bear this honorable title.

Mrs. Verbeek has visited several Croatian wine regions and presented the diversity and the great grape varieties of this ancient wine country. Meanwhile, she has often offered a stage to Croatian wine in her Wine Theater, during national catering fairs.

Barbara Verbeek inherited the love for good wine from her father. In 2001, she graduated as a registered viticulturist and in 2002 as a wine and food specialist from the Academy of Gastronomy. She is the owner of the ‘Wijntheater’, being also a wine columnist for De Telegraaf.  She is the initiator of the Wine Woman of the Year Foundation, is the designer of the Expert’s Collection glass line and an ambassador of the Royal Leerdam glass factory.


In her acceptance speech, she said: ‘I am much honored to bear this title. Since 2015, whenever I had to fill the program of the Wine Theater, I have always paid a lot of attention to Croatia, a wine country that hardly anyone had heard of at the time, and neither had I. But with Croatian wines and the people from Croatiangrapes.com it was love at first sight. 

My father became a wineologist in the 1980s and when I came into the living room as an eight-year-old child, there was a book by Hubrecht Duijker on the table. I leafed through it and thought it was magical at the time. The fact that I can now take over this ambassadorship from Hubrecht is the circle of life for me and it honors me deeply.’

Mario Pranić and Diederik Swart started Croatiangrapes.com, an import company with a complete focus on Croatian wines, in 2014. The company has since grown into the leading specialist in this field. The wines they promote are from unique local grape varieties, from all the main wineries in the country.

During the event at the Croatian embassy, ​​after the awarding ceremony, a reception followed, where wines from all the important regions of Croatia could be tasted. In addition, suggestions were offered for various cheese combinations, specially chosen by the former Croatian wine ambassador, Betty Koster. The Croatian MasterChef winner, Sascha de Lint, catered the event, offering the distinguished guests special dishes from the Croatian cuisine.

Ivan Novak, director of the Benelux Croatian Tourism Office, was also present and he offered a study trip to one of Croatia’s unique wine regions to the new wine ambassador, Barbara Verbeek.

On behalf of Diplomat Magazine, we wish to congratulate Mrs. Verbeek on her recent appointment!

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