The end of unity: How the Russian Orthodox Church lost Ukraine

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<strong>The end of unity: How the Russian Orthodox Church lost Ukraine</strong>

By Regina Elsner

ZOiS (03.03.2022) – Since the end of the Soviet Union, dozens of theologians and scholars of religion elaborated on the complicated relationship within the church community of the so-called Holy Rus’. The Moscow Patriarchate defines its territory of spiritual responsibility in the borders of the Soviet Union—except for the old churches of Armenia and Georgia. The core of this spiritual community is Kyiv as the place of baptism of Rus’ in 988 and Moscow as the residency of the head of the church, today Patriarch Kirill. Bitter as it is, the territory of the Soviet Union was always closer to the ecclesiastical understanding of this sacred territory than the Russian Federation and its independent neighbor states, and the Russian Orthodox Church made comprehensive theological, historiographical, and political efforts to design the unity of the people in a new way.

As in other places of the world, national independence has finally caused the establishment of an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine. However, it was not Moscow as mother-church to release the Ukrainian Orthodoxy in its independence, because that would have questioned the unity of the one tradition. For three decades, the Moscow Patriarchate succeeded in its concept of spiritual unity by underlining its respect for national sovereignty. This was a balancing act, but most Ukrainian Orthodox and global Orthodoxy committed to this concept and refused to acknowledge the self-proclaimed Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate in 1992.

The concept started to fail when, simultaneously, the Moscow Patriarchate strengthened its ideology of a common Orthodox civilization united by a conservative set of values and, on the other side, Ukrainian society engaged increasingly in European integration. During the first Maidan, or “Orange Revolution” in 2004, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) managed to handle the diverging claims from Russia and the West mainly due to the conservative agenda of the ruling elites in Ukraine. The second Maidan in 2014, the “Revolution of Dignity” with its clear pro-European political stance, however, challenged the attitude of unity seriously, as did the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, the violation of the national borders of Ukraine by Russia.

To maintain the reality of unity, the reaction of the Russian Orthodox Church was a slight yet effective shift in its ideology. Since 2014, the ideology of the “Russian World” ceased from official ecclesiastical statements as the church tried to avoid being equated to Russia’s imperial claims on sovereign nations. As a new frame, the defense of persecuted Christians evolved. With this concept, the Moscow Patriarchate not only legitimated Russia’s participation in the war in Syria and paramilitary activities in Africa. It also used the human rights framework to justify these state actions and its involvement in the territory of other Orthodox Churches. Since 2018, the Moscow Patriarchate systematically supplemented its concept of persecuted Christians in Ukraine with a massive campaign concerning violent attacks on property and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Granted, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate had to face massive social and media pressure due to its remaining ties with the church of the aggressor state, suffering violent attacks and misleading legal initiatives like the draft law on renaming the church. These are cases of undermining religious freedom. The church vanished in the public discourse in Ukraine, trapped between its spiritual bonds with Moscow and its Ukrainian identity. Unfortunately, the Russian Orthodox Church refused to acknowledge both. While the Ukrainian Metropolitan Onufry became silent on almost all social and political issues in Ukraine to avoid new accusations, the Russian church leadership enforced its spiritual and socio-cultural claims on Ukraine. The discourse about the spiritual unity of Holy Rus’, meaning Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, increased to counter the engagement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It reached the level of negating the Ukrainian identity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as a whole. After years of trying to keep the balance, the ROC joined the state propaganda about Ukraine as an inherent part of Russian identity and space of influence.

When the escalation of the full-fledged war in Ukraine was inevitable, the religious world watched the Moscow Patriarchate turn its back to Ukraine. When analyzing the reaction of Patriarch Kirill, the different meanings of words said and not said should be recognized because they will serve as a point of reference in future talks about the role of the church in this war. On the one side, the Patriarch and other speakers for the church (Metropolitan Hilarion, chair of the external office; Vladimir Legojda, head of the information department) demand peace, a dialogue for all conflicting sides, and a prayer for peace. In all statements on Ukraine, they also refer to the unity of the Christians in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia and to the special responsibility of the Moscow Patriarchate for these regions. Metropolitan Hilarion claimed several days before the invasion that “War is not a method of solving the accumulated political problems.”

This quote now is used as a sign of dissent to the war within the ROC; however, the main focus of Hilarion in this interview is accusing the West of sharpening the “accumulated political problems,” and his commitment against war remains in general terms. The Patriarch did not contradict the words of “persecuted Christians,” which Putin used to justify his war against Ukraine on 21 February 2022. Until 4 March, neither the Patriarch nor any other speaker of the ROC used the word war to describe the situation in Ukraine. When monitoring the news on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate since 21 February, there are more reports about the activities of the ROC in Africa than about the situation in Ukraine, not counting several unconfirmed hints of alleged Ukrainian violence against churches of the UOC-MP, legitimizing armed acts of “defense.” There are no reports or pictures about the massive destruction of Ukrainian cities and cultural sites and no links to the statements by the hierarchy from the UOC-MP.

On the other side, we have to take into account the open support of the Russian military one day before the outbreak of war, when Russian armed forces were already arranged at the border to Ukraine in Russia and Belarus. On 23 February, Patriarch Kirill congratulated the heads of the Russian government on the occasion of the Day of the Defenders of the Fatherland, a Soviet tradition of glorifying veterans and male armed power. In his speech on that day, he said,

We live in peaceful times, but we know that even in peacetime there are threats. Unfortunately, even at the moment, there are threats—everyone is familiar with what is happening on the borders of our Fatherland. Therefore, I think that our military personnel cannot have any doubts that they have chosen a very correct path in their lives. Because by following this path, you are protecting the people even without any military action. The strength of the Armed Forces, the might of the Russian army is already a weapon that protects our people. But in order for these weapons to be taken seriously by those who have bad intentions, the Armed Forces of our country must always be on alert.

Finally, in his sermon on 27 February, after ensuring his awareness of the “difficult circumstances encountered today by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate,” the Patriarch stated,

It must not be allowed to give the dark and hostile external forces an occasion to laugh at us; we should do everything to preserve peace between our peoples while protecting our common historical Motherland against every outside action that can destroy this unity.

He said this, remarkably, on the fifth day of heavy shelling of Russian arms on the peaceful—Orthodox—civilians in Ukraine. This implies the prolongation of the narrative that the violence is provoked by the West and justified as a defense. It is a scandalous ignorance of the situation of the people in Ukraine, which he claims to defend, a deliberate reversal of perpetrator and victim, and it is in open support of the ideology of the murderous regime. This statement marks a final split between Russian and Ukrainian Orthodoxy, even if this split is not a canonical one. This split, however, is not demanded or intended by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, whose bishops and priests appealed to Moscow for support in naming the reality. This split is performed by the Moscow Patriarchate itself through the refusal to take pastoral responsibility for its flock. Such a situation is unique in the history of Orthodoxy and will provoke further theological and canonical debates within global Orthodoxy. To be clear, praying for peace is, without doubt, an important instrument of the church to impact conflict dynamics. When at the same time they neglect the very fact of war and its victims and warmongers, these prayers become false and dangerous.

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First Published by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) 

About the author:

Regina Elsner, a researcher at the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS).

Mechanism Principals hold diplomatic briefing in The Hague

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Mechanism Principals hold diplomatic briefing in The Hague

The Hague, 1 December  2022– The Principals of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals yesterday held a briefing for the diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and international organizations.

During the briefing, which was attended by 50 ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, President Graciela Gatti Santana, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Registrar Abubacarr M. Tambadou provided an overview and update of the Mechanism’s current activities.

All three Principals emphasized their commitment to efficiently, expeditiously and fairly completing the few remaining cases, as well as carrying out the Mechanism’s continuous residual functions in a manner consistent with the Security Council’s vision. President Gatti Santana briefed the diplomatic corps on the main priorities of her Presidency, including planning for future changes in the Mechanism’s work. Prosecutor Brammertz highlighted his Office’s efforts to track the remaining fugitives and assist national judiciaries. Registrar Tambadou outlined the support provided by the Registry to Mechanism activities, as well as ongoing work to further improve accessibility of the public judicial records and archives.

The Principals of the Mechanism also thanked State representatives for their steadfast support to the Mechanism since its inception and identified several areas where continued support from Member States remains essential. These include locating and arresting the fugitives; the remaining transfer of convicted persons to enforcement States and more generally securing the support of additional enforcement States; and, finally, providing the Mechanism with sufficient budgetary resources to undertake its work.

The Mechanism will continue to regularly update the diplomatic corps, both in Arusha and in The Hague, about its work and activities.

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Picture by UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Scoring a Goal for Latin America and the Caribbean in Plastic Pollution Talks

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Scoring a Goal for Latin America and the Caribbean in Plastic Pollution Talks

By Claudia S. de Windt and Romain Collet.

Not just the world cup is in play this week. In Punta del Este, Uruguay diplomats and experts from around the world have launched a two-year ambitious negotiation process towards an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. Stakes are high for INC-1. The first of five sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) is expected to lay the foundation of a treaty that will define whether we live in a world where plastics improve our lives or make our planet unlivable.  

Scoring a goal towards ending plastic pollution is in the best interest of Latin America and the Caribbean and regional positioning is of essence.  The stakes for the region are even higher, just like with climate change, it is more vulnerable and suffers greatly the brunt effects without being a major culprit of plastic pollution.  In LAC the need for effective governance to end plastic pollution is critical. The region must position itself and push to make it so.

To address ending plastic pollution in a fair and decisive way in the region, multilateralism and private investment is needed more than ever. The real challenge doesn’t lie in the creation of a treaty but one that can adapt to lessen the burden of future generations, is able to articulate existing frameworks and achieve multi-stakeholder dialogue, especially with non-state actors.

A roadmap has been endorsed by 175 countries,[1]  and effective treaty talks will require an objective viewpoint and not losing sight of the ball.  Plastics have solved critical problems of humanity including by providing lifesaving medical solutions that have benefitted the region greatly. The challenge is not plastic, but rather plastic pollution and getting consensus on how to end it. In addition to the hazards posed to the marine and terrestrial environment as well as to humans, plastics are also a substantial contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.  

Plastic is the most persistent pollutant that exists.  It travels through air, land and sea freightage or using oceans, rivers and streams as mediums, affecting the environment, hampering efforts to tackle the nature and climate crisis along with the guarantee of human rights.  It is a global problem with local implications requiring responses at different levels.   Plastic production in LAC only accounts to about 4% percent of the total global production of plastic materials, which amounts to approximately 368 million metric tons. LAC does not contribute significantly to the plastic problem. It generates less than 12% of the global waste according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) but bears a heavier brunt.

LAC is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the plastic lifecycle affect meeting global climate targets. Plastics have a significant carbon footprint and emit 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. About 8 million tons of plastic flow from rivers and beaches into the ocean every year and is forecast to triple by 2040. These plastics are broken down by waves and the sun into small microplastics (less than 5 mm). They transport absorbed persistent organic pollutants. Traces have been found in blood, clothing, migratory species and even in animals sampled from deep sea. Additionally, in LAC, the Mesoamerican Reef data shows that when plastic meets a reef, the coral is 20 times more likely to be afflicted by disease.

In addition, plastic is clogging landfills that  poorly managed  result in never ending fires that affect health and human rights of the poorest and most vulnerable communities that tend to live next to them. In addition to human rights concerns, plastic pollution clearly raises social and environmental justice concerns.

The existing legal architecture to address these concerns is fragmented and piecemeal.

There is not one single international treaty that deals exclusively with plastic pollution, there are at least nine Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), without counting regional instruments such as the Cartagena Convention,[2] that address different aspects of plastic pollution. One nation’s regulations do not prevent another nation’s waste from reaching its shores, as evidenced in the beaches from Yucatan to Santo Domingo. Generally, there are no uniform global standards or policies that guide the industry. Most strikingly, there is no common definition of biodegradable plastics. This has become an issue for multinational corporations selling in various countries. Some companies strongly support harmonizing definitions, reporting metrics, and methodologies that will simplify industry practices and improve management of waste. Despite some great advances at the regional and national level, the main problem remains reaching concerted action at the sectoral and the multilateral governance levels.

The Resolution establishing the INC provides a glimpse of what seems to be the framework and guide for treaty talks. Including elements such as financial mechanisms, the a secretariat; strengthening of the science-policy interface; taking effective and progressive actions at the local, regional, and global level among other. The scope that has been set up by countries for the projected instrument includes both binding and voluntary approaches. It is based on a comprehensive method that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic and considers the principles established by the Rio Conference on Environment and Development, as well as national circumstances and capabilities. The established roadmap does not aim for a cap or reduction in production, nor does it include a requirement that production numbers be reported along with other statistics.  However, collection of production data represents the first step before any effective regulations could be written, and it’s a step that industry would like to avoid.  In defining what the plastic lifecycle entails, negotiators opted to recommend a broader concept. The industry focused on waste management.

Several options have been laid on the table, potential elements; structure; key terms, plastics science; existing funding, priorities, needs, challenges and barriers to end plastic pollution along with  scientific and governance information that might assist negotiators. Thus, many questions persist, divergent views, and a plethora of interested parties from industry lobbying to make their views known and reflected – some to encourage, some to block. 

Action is needed from multiple angles and at each stage of the plastic life cycle for real impact in LAC.  The role of non-State Actors in different fronts must be reconsidered.  In implementation and monitoring for effective reporting and verification rather than burdensome enforcement procedures or mechanisms, but more so on market opportunities and circular economy. Shifting to a circular economy including bio-based plastics is an important part of the solution to the plastic pollution challenge. However, the transition has been slow and requires significant investments in sustainable business models.  

The global plastic market size was estimated at more than USD 609.01 billion in 2022. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2022 to 2030 reaching revenues of USD 811.57 billion.  The increasing plastic consumption in the construction, automotive, packaging and electrical & electronics industries is projected to support market growth during the forecast period. For example, regulations to decrease gross vehicle weight to improve fuel efficiency and eventually reduce carbon emissions are driving plastic consumption as a substitute for metals, including aluminum and steel, for manufacturing automotive components. Regulation regarding depletion and recyclability of conventional materials -such as metal and wood- are anticipated to drive greater plastic demand from construction.  Plastic has 85% less specific gravity compared to metals, enabling in the automotive and construction industries,  approximately 80% weight savings and 30% to 50% cost savings in individual components.

A mere 4.5 % of the waste is recycled in LAC, significantly below the world average. To address plastic pollution effectively and fairly, multilateralism and private investment is needed more than ever.

Emerging markets in LAC have a role to play. The real challenge doesn’t lie in the creation of an international binding instrument but one that is able to articulate with other existing agreements and non-traditional plastic institutions as well as achieve multi-stakeholder dialogue, especially with non-state actors that can catalyze investment in the circular economy at scale.

[1] United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme, Resolution 5/14, “End plastic pollution: towards and international legally binding instrument”, Nairobi, Kenya, 28 February – 2 March 2022

[2] Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region

About the authors

Claudia S. de Windt

Claudia S. de Windt.  International Environmental Lawyer, Expert in Political Sciences and Adjunct Associate Professor of Law. Chief Executive of the Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability (IIJS: www.ii-js.org). Steering Committee member of the World Commission on Environmental Law of the International Union for the conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its Agreement on Plastic Pollution Task Force.

Romain Collet

Romain Collet. Lawyer specializing in International Law of the Sea. Master of Laws in International Legal Studies of American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) and master’s degree in International Law at Université Paris Nanterre.

Repatriation and Departure Service 15th Anniversary

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Repatriation and Departure Service 15th Anniversary

By Roy Lie Atjam

‘Migration on the Move’

On 9 November 2022, the Repatriation and Departure Service -DT&V- commemorated its 15th anniversary with a symposium at the Louwman Museum The Hague. 

“Together, we look back at a successful and inspiring international symposium. This symposium was specially organised on the 15th anniversary of the Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) and took place on Wednesday 9 November 2022 in the Louwman Museum in The Hague.

The DT&V organised on this day an open discussion about the opportunities, possibilities and challenges migration professionals experience on the theme of return. A topic that is constantly on the move. During the symposium, participants were given the latest developments in national and European developments in the field of return. In this symposium, we have jointly bridged the gap between all cooperating partners and organisations.

Alessandro di Tolla, Director European Center for Returns Division – Frontex, Monika Sie Dhian Ho, Director of the Clingendael Institute, Ewald Riks, Acting General Director of the DT&V and Mari Juritsch, EU Return Coordinator – European Commission. Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman


Great interest

More than 130 participants, including ambassadors, national and international partners from the immigration process participated in the symposium. They followed an inspiring and interesting programme, facilitated by the moderator Donatello Piras. The plenary part started with a dazzling, colourful opening, which took those present along the story of Migration on the Move.

The Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro and the Minister for Migration, Eric van der Burg. Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

Partnership

Minister for Migration, Eric van der Burg, thanked the DT&V for organising this symposium and complimented the DT&V for its extensive and impressive experience as a professional implementer of return policy over the past 15 years. The Minister for Migration emphasized the importance of competent, effective implementing organisations at national level across the field of migration[BDv-B1] . “This is an important focus of the Dutch migration policy now that our national asylum system is under stress.[BDv-B2]  At the same time, it has once again become clear that a partnership approach can provide an important contribution to successful collaboration in the field of migration, including return.” The Netherlands therefore intends to work closely with countries of departure, transit and destination.

The Ambassador of El Salvador, H.E. Ms. Carmen Maria Gallardo, Minister for Migration, Eric van der Burg, and Ewald Riks, Acting General Director of the DT&V . Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

Tailor-made return

Mari Juritsch, EU return coordinator since May this year, was the keynote speaker. Her position is new and aims to coordinate return initiatives efficiently in and with European countries. She emphasized two important ambitions. increase the number of voluntary returns and improve the quality of support for returnees. Such as increasing the investment in return counselling and services that enable reintegration as well as support for individuals with different needs.

Thus, a real tailor-made approach. This requires a large investment in the complex field of migration, she mentioned in her speech. During the panel discussion, she shows clearly her interest for the DT&V case management tool. A tool applied by the DT&V departure supervisors who is responsible for the foreign national from beginning to end in the departure process. She intends to introduce this took EU-wide.

The Ambassador of Egypt H.E. Mr. Hatem Abdelkader with the Minister of Migration and DT&V’S acting director. Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

Panel discussion: International cooperation in return process & Tailor-made return

The panel discussion facilitated by moderator Donatello Piras was held with Alessandro di Tolla, Director European Center for Returns Division – Frontex, Mari Juritsch, EU Return Coordinator – European Commission, Monika Sie Dhian Ho, Director of the Clingendael Institute and Ewald Riks, Acting General Director of the DT&V. New insights were shared from each panellist’s perspective to work towards migration and mobility with mutual benefits, preferably at European level and in cooperation with the private sector.

Mrs Sie Dhian Ho emphasised the importance of strong agreements and real partnerships between countries in which new initiatives can flourish to improve the future of migrants. “There are great initiatives to stimulate off-shore employment.  This is for both parties a good business model.”

Mari Juritsch, EU Return Coordinator – European Commission. Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

Participants in the room underlined that migration is more than return and that legal migration, short or long, should be taken on board when considering a partnership approach.

The Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Slim Ghariani, Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman
Ndey Haddy Jeng – Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim of The Embassy of The Gambia in Brussels. Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

Keywords in the panel discussion were sustainability and customization. The participants emphasized the importance of the human dimension whereby a foreign national returns with a future perspective. Mr Riks: “I try to contribute the best I can with capacity building projects, when it is within my mandate. If it is not within my reach, I try to make the link with other ministries or organisations who might have the possibilities to support within their mandate.”[BDv-B3] 

The Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Ms. Elizabeth War Neiman. Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

There was a lively Q&A session, and Ambassadors, Diplomats and others made effective use of it. Among them the Gambia, Tunisia, Panama, Bangladesh, IOM and others. After the plenary session, a toast was proposed to the 15th anniversary of the DT&V, followed by a reception.

Den Haag, 09–11-2022 Migration on the Move in Louwman museum Foto Martijn Beekman

Saudi Arabia 92nd National Day

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Saudi Arabia 92nd National Day

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in The Netherlands celebrates the 92nd National Day

By Roy Lie Atjam

His Excellency Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Netherland, H.E. Mr. Ziad M.D Al-Atiyah hosted a reception in The Hague on September 22, on the occasion of the 92nd National day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His Excellency received Scores of Dutch officials, Ambassadors, Secretary Generals of International Organizations in The Hague, friends and acquaintances of Saudi Arabia, who all wished the Kingdom and the Saudi people prosperity and ample success on this glorious occasion.

H.E. Mr. Nasser Allenqawi Ambassador of Qatar, H.E. Mr. Şaban Dișli, Ambassador of Turkey, H.E. Mr.
Ali Ahmad Ebraheem S. Aldafiri, Ambassador of Kuwait, H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Palestine Chief of Mission and H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa, Ambassador of Lebanon.

In his welcome speech, His Excellency extend his sincere congratulations on this occasion to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

His Excellency also highlighted that this year coincides with another important occasion, the 150th anniversary of Saudi-Dutch relations since the establishment of the first Dutch consulate in Jeddah in 1872, a milestone reflecting an old friendship that is always renewed with prosperity and dialogue.

92nd National Day Kingdom Saudi Arabia. Marian Reijnen Director MENA Business Council International Project Manager VNO-NCW/MKB-Nederland Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers VNO-NCW Royal Dutch Association of Small and Medium Enterprises MKB Nederland, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen and H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Palestinian Chief of Mission.

His Excellency then invited guests to take part of a historical journey in which a short movie highlighting historical and contemporary aspects of the Saudi-Dutch relations was projected. After that, guests were invited to enjoy an exquisite buffet of Saudi delicacies.

From Red to North Sea: COP27 debriefing for professionals in The Hague

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From Red to North Sea: COP27 debriefing for professionals in The Hague

By Elena Ratnikova

In November, the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) took place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

COP27 brought together 112 heads of state, over 46.000 delegates including ministers, scientists, policy-makers, activists and youth. This is the largest annual gathering on climate action. It takes place at a time when climate change is already impacting communities around the globe, and climate action is more urgent than ever.

“I deeply believe that COP27 is an opportunity to showcase unity against an existential threat that we can only overcome through concerted action and effective implementation.”

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt

President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi

On Monday, 28 November the debriefing and dialogue were intended to help professionals in The Hague understand the outcomes of COP27 and reflect on the next steps for real action on climate change. The debriefing was organized by The Hague Humanity Hub and KlimaatPositief, with program contributions by guest speakers.

The event in the Hague united professionals who share the same goal: to take decisive action on climate change. The Hague Humanity Hub offered a place to hear updates from COP27, exchange perspectives on the way forward, and connect with professionals from across sectors.

From Red to North Sea: COP27 debriefing for professionals in The Hague

Jill Wilkinson, Managing Director of The Hague Humanity Hub opened the event.

Paulien Boone – founder of KlimaatPositief and member of Humanity Hub was moderating the panel discussion.

Guest speakers who shared their experience and knowledge:

  • Bastiaan Hassing, Head of Delegation of The Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UNFCCC;
  • Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice-President & Regional Director for Europe, WRI;
  • Marlene Achoki, Global Policy Co-Lead, Climate Justice, at CARE Climate Justice Center (joined online from Nairobi);
  • Laura de Vries, board member, Youth Climate Movement (Jonge Klimaatbeweging).

The session has an interactive part: participants were invited to share their reflections on COP27, and their experiences working on climate action in a round-table format. The discussion included ideas on how to boost climate action.

Namibia’s Ambassador Andjaba accredited in Warsaw

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Namibia’s Ambassador Andjaba accredited in Warsaw

Wednesday, 23 November 2022, Warsaw, Republic of Poland: Polish President Andrzej Duda received the letters of credence of Namibia’s non-resident top envoy, Ambassador Martin Andjaba during a ceremony held at Belweder Palace, south of Warsaw’s city centre. 

Ambassador Andjaba is resident in the Federal Republic of Germany wherein he was accredited on Wednesday, 3 February 2021. His mission includes accreditations to the Republic of Türkiye, the Holy See (accredited since 17  December  2021), the Czech Republic (accredited since 23  February  2022) and the Republic of Poland (accredited since 23 November 2022). 

Previous to his ambassadorship, Martin Andjaba served in the capacity as a member of the Namibian Parliament from March 2018 to March 2020. During the latter period he sat in the cabinet, and served  as  Minister  to  the  Presidency  from  April  2018  and  concurrently as Acting Minister of Education, Arts and Culture from July 2019 to March 2020.

Martin Andjaba  was Ambassador of Namibia to the United States  of America from September  2010  to  March  2018.  He  was  also  accredited  to The  Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico  and Panama. He  was  Head  of  Departmentof Multilateral  Affairs, Ministry  of Foreign Affairs from September 2006 to August 2010. From  September  1996  to August  2006,  he was Namibia’s Permanent Representative  to  the  UN  in  New  York City. Ambassador  Andjaba was leader  of  the Namibian delegation to the UN Security Council (UNSC) from  January  1999  to  December 2000. 

He was President  of  the  Security  Council  in  August  1999  and  October  2000. During  the conflict in East Timor, he led two successful Security Council Missions to Indonesia and East Timor  in  September  1999  and  November  2000.  The  Mission  in  September  1999  paved  the way  for  the  deployment  of  the United  Nations  Transitional  Administration  in  East  Timor (UNTAET)  in  October  1999. Likewise he served as Chairman  of  the  Security  Council  Sanctions Committee on Liberia from January 1999 to December 2000. Ambassador  Andjaba  was  a  member  of  the  Security  Council  Mission  to the  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Uganda from 4 to 8 May 2000, which was aimed at assisting the Parties to resolve the conflict in the DRC peacefully. The same delegation proceeded to Ethiopia and Eritrea from 9 to 10 May 2000 with the mandate of persuading the two countries to resolve their border dispute by peaceful means. 

During  his  assignment  at  the  UN, Ambassador  Andjaba  was  also  accredited  to  Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana in the capacity as High Commissioner. Prior to taking up assignment at the UN, Ambassador Andjaba was Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Namibia from March 1990 to August 1996. He attended the Diplomatic Training Course at the University of Namibia in 1990.

For further information 

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia: http://www.namibia-botschaft.de

Polish Presidency: https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/listy-uwierzytelniajace/nowi-ambasadorowie-zlozyli-prezydentowi-rp-listy-uwierzytelniajace,61482

Afghan health facilities being supported by Turkmenistan 

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Afghan health facilities being supported by Turkmenistan 

Saturday, 26 November 2022: Under the guidance of the Consulate General of Turkmenistan in Afghanistan (located in Mazari-Sharif), a solemn ceremony was held in connection with the full renovation of the city’s Health Centre carried out by Turkmen workers as well as the delivery of medical equipment and medicines from Turkmenistan to the Afghan side as humanitarian aid.

The ceremony was attended by the head of the representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan in Balkh province, the mayors of Garamgol, Gorgan, Andhoy and Khancharbagh districts of Faryab province, heads of health care institutions, residents and respected elders.

The participants of the event expressed their gratitude to The Honourable President of Turkmenistan, HE Mr Serdar Berdimuhamedow  on behalf of the Afghan people, noting their immense gratitude for the various humanitarian aid continuously provided by Turkmenistan to the people of Afghanistan over many years.

Heartfelt gratitude was likewise expressed for the Chairman of the People’s Council (Upper Chamber) of the National Council of Turkmenistan, HE Mr Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, for the constant humanitarian and fraternal assistance and their efforts to bring political stability to Afghanistan. Subsequently a charity luncheon arranged wherein toasts to the good health of the President of Turkmenistan and the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of the Milli Gengesh (National Council) of Turkmenistan were raised.

The representatives of Afghanistan’s “Milli” TV, “Tolqun News” of the Turkmen diaspora in Afghanistan and other local mass media took part in the event to provide an extensive coverage.

In addition, during the ceremony, Turkmen textbooks intended for grades 1-4 were handed over to Mahmut Khan Abdylla, head of education department of Garamgol region, to be used as a guide in Turkmen language classes in the schools of the region.

For further information 

Turkmen Foreign Ministry: https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/3470

ICC President and Director of the Trust Fund for Victims visit Central African Republic

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ICC President and Director of the Trust Fund for Victims visit Central African Republic

From 22 to 26 November 2022, the President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmański, and the Acting Executive Director of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the ICC, Ms Franziska Eckelmans, paid an official visit to the Central African Republic (CAR) to witness first-hand the Court’s work on the ground, including the assistance programme of the TFV aimed at redressing harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes in situations before the ICC as well as to engage with the authorities and stakeholders in the country.

President Hofmański and his delegation met with the President of the Central African Republic, H.E. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, and the Minister of Justice, Arnaud Djoubaye-Abazene, to thank them for the many important forms of assistance that CAR authorities have provided to the ICC in relation to the Court’s operations, and to discuss future collaboration in the fight against impunity. President Touadéra and Minister Djoubaye-Abazene assured President Hofmański of the CAR’s full commitment to cooperation with the Court.

President Hofmański also visited the Special Criminal Court (SCC), a hybrid judicial institution created under CAR law, comprising national and international officials, with a mandate to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate grave breaches of international criminal and humanitarian law committed in the Central African Republic since 2003. The ICC President held a detailed conversation with the SCC’s Acting President, Chief Prosecutor, Chief Registrar and Deputy Chief Registrar, during which he reaffirmed the ICC’s strong support for the SCC’s efforts in the fight against impunity in line with the principle of complementarity enshrined in the ICC’s Statute, according to which national courts have primacy. Prospects for expanding the good cooperation between the two courts were discussed during the meeting. “If the ICC, the SCC and the national authorities of CAR can work together, we can move closer to achieving the objective of the Rome Statute, which is to close the gap of impunity,” the President said.

Apart from national stakeholders, the ICC President and the Acting TFV Executive Director also met with representatives of the diplomatic corps based in Bangui, including constructive bilateral meetings with the Ambassador of the African Union and the Ambassador of Chad.

A major part of the visit was devoted to the assistance programme of the TFV aimed at redressing harm suffered foremost by victims, women and men, of sexual and gender-based violence with a focus on those of the 2002-2003 conflict. Since 2020/2021, more than 6,000 victims have had access to physical, psycho-social, psychological and socio-economic rehabilitation measures through TFV implementing partners, Association des Femmes Juristes de Centrafrique, Comité Inter Africain pour les Femmes de Centrafrique, DanChurchAid, Médecins d’Afrique and Mukwege Foundation.

President Hofmański and Ms Eckelmans held conversations with representatives of the implementing partners in the projects under way in different prefectures of CAR and listened to the accounts of survivors on what they had endured and the transformative effect of the assistance projects they are benefitting from. “I am impressed by the activities of local organisations and touched by the stories I have heard. I assure you that victims are at the heart of the ICC’s mandate. You have our support and we are proud of the work carried out by the Trust Fund for Victims with its partners”, President Hofmański said in relation to this event, which was also attended by CAR government officials, officials of the CPS and various representatives of international and national and non-governmental organisations located in CAR, who engaged with TFV partners and beneficiaries and experienced the transformative character of reparations and their important role for justice and stability.

The acting TFV Executive Director said: “The beneficiaries we heard are indeed ‘walombe’ – champions, as they refer to themselves. Together with the TFV partners, they have demonstrated what transformative reparations are and the processes, staff and time required to achieve such transformation. We will take the beneficiaries’ calls for an increased engagement by the TFV to the donors and plead for funds to continue and extend the programme in CAR.”

President Hofmański also held a session of frank dialogue with “ambassadors of justice”, who are community leaders that work together with the ICC’s Public Information and Outreach Programme with a view to disseminating information and raising awareness of the Court’s work around the country. With the support of Canada and UK, some of the ambassadors of justice have visited the ICC in The Hague to watch CAR related trials first hand and to meet with Court officials, and others are scheduled to do so next year. “Understanding of the local communities comes from local stakeholders and leaders like the ambassadors of justice, who have good knowledge and access to the affected communities, thus playing a key role for the ICC in terms of outreach”, said President Hofmański.

At the various meetings, views were exchanged on the issue of reparative justice and reparations in CAR, given the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission (CVJRR) of CAR has the opportunity to establish a framework for a trust fund for reparations, and given reparations are a live issue before the SCC. To share its expertise in this area, the TFV organised a hybrid roundtable together with representatives of the CVJRR, CPS, the Global Survivor’s Fund (GSF) and representatives of governments and international organizations, which allowed for an in-depth exchange on the subject: “A coordinated and streamlined approach to reparations is essential because reparations are a right of victims. Given the institutional and legal conditions for reparations have already been established in CAR, we have a real opportunity in this country to move together in this direction”, Acting TFV Executive Director said.       

During their stay in CAR capital Bangui, President Hofmański and Ms Eckelmans engaged extensively with the staff of the ICC Country Office in CAR, which houses international as well as local staff performing crucial functions such as the protection and support of witnesses, outreach to victims and affected communities, and oversight of TFV projects. President Hofmański expressed the gratitude of the Court’s senior management for the hard work of the country office staff, often in difficult circumstances, and held long conversations with them to fully appreciate the challenges they face.

Draft law on banning the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church

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Draft law on banning the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church

By Willy Fautré, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers


HRWF (28.11.2022) – On 24 November, the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine published the text of draft law No. 8221 banning the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church represented on the territory of Ukraine by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). 

The bill outlaws the activity of any religious organizations or institutions, which are part or in any way accountable to the Russian Orthodox Church “in canonical, organizational and other issues,” the European Solidarity Party said on Telegram.

The party said that the bill aimed at preventing threats to the national security of Ukraine and providing order, and described “the liberation of Ukraine from the Russian Orthodox Church as yet another step towards independent Ukraine.”

The authors of draft law No. 8221 “On ensuring the strengthening of national security in the sphere of freedom of conscience and activities of religious organizations” propose a ban on the activities of

  • the Russian Orthodox Church,
  • religious organizations (associations) that are directly or as constituent parts of another religious organization (association) included in the structure (are part of) the Russian Orthodox Church,
  • religious centers (management), who are part of or recognize (declare) in any form subordination in canonical, organizational, and other matters to the Russian Orthodox Church.

It is assumed that all transactions related to the use of property (renting, hiring, leasing, etc.), the validity period of which has not expired, concluded between residents of Ukraine and the relevant foreign religious organization, as well as with legal entities, the owner, participant, shareholder of which it is, they are terminated prematurely.

The peculiarities of the naming of religious organizations are established, in particular, the possibility for a religious organization to use the word “Orthodox” in its name (both full and abbreviated), in the name, only if this religious organization is subordinate in canonical and organizational matters to Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Alexey Goncharenko, a Ukrainian Verkhovnaya Rada deputy from the European Solidarity Party, has asked Prime Minister Denis Shmygal to deprive the Ukrainian Orthodox Church/ Moscow Patriarchate of the right to rent the Kyiv Lavra of the Caves and the Pochayev Lavra.

If this law is adopted, the famous monasteries Kyiv-Pechersk, Holy Assumption Pochaiv and Sviatohirsk Lavra would become the property of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), founded in 2018 under President Poroshenko and affiliated with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Photo : Verkhovna Rada

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