Slovenia 2022 presidential election

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Slovenia 2022 presidential election

In anticipation of a new momentum in Slovenian political arena

With parliamentary, local and presidential elections all being held this year in Slovenia, 2022 has been dubbed “super election year”. 

Presidential election campaign is taking place in the atmosphere of Robert Golob‘s Freedom Movement (Gibanje Svoboda) convincing victory in the April parliamentary elections and the ensuing tectonic changes in Slovenian political arena. After parliamentary elections the new Slovenian coalition government was appointed, led by Prime Minister Robert Golob and comprising the Freedom Movement (GS), the Social Democrats (SD) and the Left (Levica).   

Nine candidates will compete at the first round of election for the president of the Republic of Slovenia scheduled for 23 October 2022, of which five men and two women. Slovenia will get its fifth democratically elected president since the country proclaimed independence in 1991. So far this function has been carried out by Milan Kučan (two terms in office), Janez Drnovšek, Danilo Türk and Borut Pahor (two terms in office). The eventual runoff will take place on 13 November 2022.

The seven candidates standing for election in the first round are: 1. Milan Brglez – Freedom Movement – Social Democrats (Gibanje Svoboda – Socialni demokrati), 2. Anže Logar – independent candidate supported by Slovenian Democratic Party (Slovenska Demokratska Stranka – SDS), 3. Janez Cigler Kralj – New Slovenia – Christian Democrats (Nova Slovenija – krščanski demokrati), 4. Miha Kordiš – the Left (Levica), 5. Nataša Pirc Musar – an independent candidate, 6. Vladimir Prebilič – an independent candidate, and 7. Sabina Senčar – Resni.ca Party (Stranka Resni.ca).

There are altogether 1,696,893 eligible voters in Slovenia, with the entire country representing a single constituency. 

Slovenia needs new goals

The situation in domestic and foreign environment, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis, has had a strong impact on Slovenia as well. The country is also not immune to growing corruption in the EU, which according to some estimations costs Europe around 200 billion EUR every year. Fight against crime and corruption and the much-needed reforms have been a special challenge for Slovenian state in the last years. 

Slovenia became a full member of NATO and EU in 2004, joined the Eurozone and the Schengen area in 2007 and became a member of OECD in 2010, and it is also a member of numerous other international organisations. It was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (1998-1999), it presided the Council of the European Union twice (2008 and 2021) and is currently vying together with Belarus for the third non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 period.

With all those achievements, Slovenian political leaders were left without any new goals for the future. The political elites were exhausted and unprepared for any further visionary or ambitious action. For example, they have not sufficiently exploited EU membership for national interests, like Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and some other new member states have done. In 2004, Slovenia was at the very top among the ten new EU member states, while now it is ranked in the middle. The country will have to create a more attractive business environment for foreign investments, which it cannot achieve with its present legislation and incentives.  A better, more reliable and brighter future will have to be provided to Slovenia and its young generation, which is increasingly leaving the country for economic reasons.

Slovenia is marked with strong political polarisation with a fierce struggle between the so-called forces of continuity (former communists) symbolised by former President Milan Kučan, and the Slovenian Spring led by the former Prime Minister and leader of Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) Janez Janša. The new Prime Minister Robert Golob will therefore have the task to put an end to the historical political polarization in the country and to create consensus in the society when it comes to the key future issues. During the years of cyclical boom and high economic growth, political polarisation did not cause any significant problems to this most successful novice among the countries of the former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). However, with the economic crisis and recession growing in the world and Europe, all the problems came to light in Slovenia – the crisis revealed all the mistakes the country has made since it gained independence. Most of them stem from the processes of privatisation of former socially owned (state) property.  In order to continue its rapid development, Slovenia has to eliminate inner tensions and regulate relations with the neighbouring countries. 

The prevailing opinion is that Slovenia needs to set new goals, despite the fact that it is an EU member state. This will be another task of Robert Golob’s government. Excuses that the state as a rule follows the policy set by the EU or Brussels point to the fact that Slovenia lacks a clear vision, creativity and concepts for the future Against the background of geopolitical changes and the shifting world order, Slovenia will be forced to look for its own solutions and follow its own interests, which means that it should strengthen its position in the EU and other organisations, develop strong bilateral relations beyond the EU, make new partnership and look for new markets where Slovenia has not been present yet or where its presence has been very weak so far. 

Is Slovenia controlled by informal centres of power

Consolidation of the country and dealing with the energy and food crisis are the priority tasks of Robert Golob’s government, which must at the same time overcome several decades of conflicts between the key actors within the state. The informal and parallel centres of power that were formed have actually been leading the country from the backstage and caused problems to any government that wanted to act transparently and in the public interest. According to some analysts it is those centres of power together with lobbies that have the main control over the state of Slovenia, which was most evident during Prime Minister Miro Cerar‘s (Modern Centre Party – SMC) government. 

Analysts have noted that the influence of informal centres of power and parallel structures has led Slovenia to make the key strategic mistake when it allowed to be controlled by certain individuals from behind the political stage. During the past few years Slovenia has become the most isolated country in the region in relations with the USA, bearing in mind that the USA played the key role in the establishment of the independent Slovenian state. No one has taken the responsibility for this situation yet.

The influence of informal power centres is most visible when it comes to the disappearance of millions of taxpayers’ money. A school example of this would be the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC), popularly called the Bad Bank, which had no clear criteria or model for company restructuring. For most companies that came under its ownership BAMC proposed bankruptcy proceedings, although this is already provided for in the existing legislation, which makes BAMC completely unnecessary. The winners of the establishment of BAMC are both banks that have relieved themselves of their claims on companies and significantly improved their balance sheet positions and operating results, as well as over-indebted companies (tycoons). The latter thus got rid of their debts, but thanks to non-transparent proceedings and personal connections with BAMC through third (foreign) persons, law firms or “unrelated” companies, they acquired or even hired “their” companies or bought the claims that had been transferred to BAMC.

Analysts have noted that in early years following Slovenian independence certain social elites plundered the state, while the state is plundering itself through BAMC.

Devalued function of president of the state

During the presidency of incumbent president of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, the function of the president was devalued and undermined. The first President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kučan is still considered a role model among presidents.  

President of the state should act as a moral authority. However, President Pahor publicly announced that he does not consider himself a moral authority. During presidential race all candidates promise to be a moral authority, but they must yet prove to the people or the voters that they really deserve to be one. On several occasions President Pahor stated that the president is not the second prime minister, which is true. However, the president has other levers that enable him or her to be very actively involved in social life and thus contribute to finding appropriate solutions, especially when it comes to the most vital issues. 

If we simplistically understand moral authority as a person whom the community regards as trustworthy for making correct and good decisions, it is certainly inappropriate for an individual, even if it is the president of the state, to assess himself or herself as a moral authority. The notion of morality is nullified by the mere fact that the person describes oneself as moral – it is others who are to decide on his or her morality. It is also not appropriate for the president of the state to renounce his or her moral authority. After all, the citizens probably expect their president to be a moral authority to a certain (the largest possible) extent. By denying oneself as a moral authority, the president degrades himself or herself and the function that he or she represents, even though his or her (perhaps even noble) intention may be to appear unpretentious instead of lofty.  

Whether the holder of an office is a moral authority can be assessed by various prominent individuals or groups that shape public opinion, by the media, etc. The real power of moral authority stems from the respect people attribute to his or her statements. Presidential candidates should be aware of that. It is one thing to promise to be a moral authority, but another to actually be one during the term of office. Decisions about when to express an opinion as president of the state are not always the easiest, but the president should express his or her point of view and take a stance, even if it offends certain group of voters.

The president is expected to be less populist and more upstanding, leading others by example. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is an important acquisition of a modern state governed by the rule of law, and its president – as a “defender” of the constitutional order – should also defend opinions that are not liked by the majority, but are correct for the existence and development of such a state.

The voters expect the president to be above any party politics, and the president’s involvement in party politics and his pleasing of the government may cause a loss of trust among the electorate. As a rule President Pahor did not interfere significantly in any important issues, but was rather an observer or follower of events. Pahor usually remained silent or responded too late to key issues such as human rights and attacks on the media (STA – Slovenian Press Agency, RTV Slovenia Public Media Service). He was engaged in the Brdo-Brijuni process which did not bring significant added value except for the costs to tax-payers. More appropriate foreign political engagement is of vital importance for the country that is a full EU and NATO member and a candidate for non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. 

The new president is expected to bring a new momentum to Slovenian political arena and to promote Slovenia at the regional and international levels. So far, this was not the case. Despite the fact that his powers are very limited, the incumbent President Pahor was expected to contribute significantly to creating a fresh and positive atmosphere in the country. 

Borut Pahor wanted to present himself as “president who promotes unity”, although during his two terms of office Slovenia was no less politically disunited than before. Most of Slovenian public does not really understand whom he wanted to unite and what kind of uniting action he took. The powers of the president need to be expanded in order to strengthen his 0r her role. For example, the president should have the right to initiate the procedure for the review of the constitutionality and legality of acts before signing them or before appointing judges etc. Moreover, Slovenia needs radical changes to the constitution which is outdated and no longer meets current needs and challenges.

Slovenia should focus again on the West Balkans, which has been neglected in the past few years while other states have strengthened their presence there. The state of Slovenia should not repeat its past mistakes, such as: the “erased” citizens (citizens erased from the register of permanent residents who thus remained without a legal status after the declaration of Slovenia’s independence in 1991), Ljubljanska Banka (LB) savers, and precarious workers. Shunning the issue of recognition of minorities from the countries of the former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (Albanians, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, Croats, Macedonians and Serbs), who are citizens of the Republic of Slovenia, weakens the credibility of the Republic of Slovenia in the West Balkan region and as well as in the European Union. It is difficult to build credibility with no excuse for not recognising the minority status to Slovenian citizens coming from former SFRY republics.

Not much interest in presidential election

There is not much interest in Slovenia for presidential election, even though this is the highest political position in the state that calls for avant-garde politicians who would be able to cope with the newly-arising circumstances and future challenges. Among the candidates there are no leading Slovenian politicians and the election campaign has not attracted much attention from the general public in Slovenia, and even less internationally.

The candidates that drew most public attention are Nataša Pirc Musar, Anže Logar and Milan Brglez, who all undoubtedly possess the competences for this function. 

Nataša Pirc Musar, an attorney with PhD in law, is an independent candidate with strong support from two former presidents, Milan Kučan and Danilo Türk. Her advantage is that she does not belong to established political structures, which allows her to address and reach out to the entire political spectrum of voters. 

Anže Logar, a member of SDS with PhD in sociology, is an independent candidate backed by Janša’s right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) which is very close to Viktor Orban‘s Fidesz. Until recently, Logar was Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs. He targets the right-centre voters. 

Milan Brglez, with PhD in international relations, is backed by the ruling coalition parties Freedom Movement (GS) and Social Democrats (SD) whose member he is. He was former Speaker of the National Assembly of the republic of Slovenia and is currently Member of the European Parliament. He targets the left-centre and centre voters.

Analysts believe that in order to succeed at forthcoming election, Anže Logar should clearly distance himself from Janez Janša and Slovenian Democratic Party which suffered plebiscitary defeat at recent parliamentary elections when the Freedom Movement won. Likewise, Milan Brglez should clearly distance himself from incumbent President of Slovenia Borut Pahor and the Social Democrats whose chairman Pahor used to be. Such distance would enable both candidates to win more favour among the general electorate, while for both of them as individuals this would be a political suicide. This situation suits best Nataša Pirc Musar, who is not backed by any political party and does not have to distance herself from anybody and as such targets the voters from the whole political spectrum. 

Researches have shown that the run-off will be held between Anže Logar and Nataša Pirc Musar. The latter’s success may be threatened by Milan Brglez who covers a part of the same electoral. Brglez can enter the runoff if he manages to gain voter’s affection through strong support from the backstage during the last week of the election campaign.  

President of the state should not be indebted to anyone, especially not to political parties. He or she should be more active in taking stances on the key issues in the society. With the world facing enormous changes, the new president of the state is expected to reposition his or her role as president and bring a new momentum to Slovenian political arena, in order to continue the consolidation of the state which begun when the incumbent Robert Golob’s government came to power. For the first time in Slovenia’s history there is a real chance that the country would be led by a woman – after four consecutive male presidents. 

______________________

Published by IFIMES Ljubljana, 20 October 2022                                                                                                                                                                                                IFIMES – International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/UN, New York, since 2018.

Diplomatic Car for Sale

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Diplomatic Car for Sale

Brand: Toyota
Type: Toyota avensis; 2.0 d4 wagon automatic
Build year: February 2004
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Fuel: gasoline
Mileage: ~200.000 KM
Price: € 1,000.00


For more information, viewing or to place a bid please contact:
Mr. Hoang Nam – Embassy of Viet Nam

Phone: +31 63 363 6833
Email: thehague@vietembassy.nl

Unfounded news about Iran UAVs

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Unfounded news about Iran UAVs

By the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Hague

The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects and strongly condemns unfounded and unsubstantiated claims that it has sold unmanned aerial vehicles for the purpose of use in Ukraine’s conflict. Such unfounded claims, which are solely based on false flags and fabricated assumptions, are nothing more than a propaganda apparatus to further political agenda against Iran. In this regard, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in good faith and in accordance with its constructive approach toward the Ukraine crisis, stands ready to engage constructively in joint technical and expert cooperation to clarify the unfounded accusations leveled against Iran.

 Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken a clear, consistent, and unwavering position, emphasizing that all UN Member States must fully respect the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter as well as international law, including sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. As a country that has been confronted with and affected by the devastation caused by an imposed war, the Islamic Republic of Iran opposes any conflict or war anywhere in the world.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently supported peace and ending the conflict in Ukraine and urged the parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalating tensions, and engage in a meaningful process for addressing the root causes of the situation and settling their disputes through peaceful means. It also urged the parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and conduct consultations to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from military targets or attacks.

The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the United Nation’s ongoing efforts to find a peaceful solution to this conflict. The United Nations should maintain objectivity and impartiality in order to play a responsible and constructive role in the political settlement of Ukraine’s conflict. Any action taken by the United Nations should be truly conducive to easing the situation and resolving the conflict, rather than intensifying conflict and exacerbating confrontation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its constructive engagement to help the peaceful resolution of this crisis.

President Graciela Gatti Santana addresses United Nations General Assembly in New York

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
President Graciela Gatti Santana addresses United Nations General Assembly in New York

Arusha, The Hague, 19 October 2022 – The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, today presented the Mechanism’s tenth Annual Report to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This was President Gatti Santana’s first address to the Assembly since she assumed office on 1 July 2022.

At the outset, President Gatti Santana congratulated His Excellency Mr. Csaba Kőrösi of Hungary on his election as President of the 77th session of the General Assembly and wished him success in finding solutions for the complex crises the world is facing. She also acknowledged the tremendous contribution of her predecessor Judge Carmel Agius to the Mechanism and international justice more generally.

President Gatti Santana remarked that the submission of the tenth Annual Report represents a significant milestone for the Mechanism, as it started operations at the Arusha branch 10 years ago on 1 July 2012. The President noted that the Mechanism has come far since then, considering that, with the exception of one appeal and one trial, all core cases earmarked to be heard before the Mechanism have been finalised. In this regard, she underlined that “the coming years will see the transition of the Mechanism from a fully operational court to a truly residual institution.”

President Gatti Santana then introduced and elaborated on the three priorities she developed for her Presidency, based on the guidance of the Security Council in Resolution 2637 (2022): First, to ensure the efficient, effective and fair conclusion of the remaining trial and appeal proceedings. Second, to lead efforts in developing a comprehensive Mechanism strategy on continuous residual functions; and third, to consolidate the achievements of the ad hoc Tribunals and the Mechanism and to safeguard their invaluable legacy, while further enhancing inter-organ and inter-branch coordination and collaboration.

The President stressed that the international community’s trust in a credible international criminal justice system may be jeopardised without long-term strategies and support, and that therefore the Mechanism requires the continuing backing of all States in the areas of cooperation and resources. In this regard she thanked the 13 enforcement States for taking on additional responsibilities and invited others to share this burden. President Gatti Santana also underscored the need for Member States to honour their international obligations. She referred here in particular to Serbia’s ongoing refusal to arrest and transfer the contempt accused Mr. Petar Jojić and Ms. Vjerica Radeta and to the situation of the eight acquitted and released persons who were relocated to the Republic of the Niger in December 2021. She finally reassured the Assembly that the Mechanism is doing its utmost to streamline activities and be efficient and transparent in all its operations, but requires adequate resources to be able to deliver.

In closing, the President expressed her concern about the rise in genocide denial, historical revisionism and the glorification of convicted war criminals, and called upon the international community not only to stand by the Mechanism until it has completed its mandate, but to also remain vigilant and firm in countering societal patterns that feed on hatred, incitement and the denial of past crimes.

President Gatti Santana is in New York to report on the Mechanism’s activities in accordance with Article 32(1) of the Statute of the Mechanism.

Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Roy Lie Ajtam

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Dr Eniola Ajayi, invited dignitaries, Business personalities, compatriots and friends to a reception celebrating the 62nd  Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Independence Day on Monday, 3 October 2022. Venue, the  Hilton Hotel, The Hague.

The organist Mrs Noeline Onukwugha Idut, gave renditions of the national anthem of the Netherlands and Nigeria. Further featuring on the program was a performance by the cultural dance group Nigeria Media/Entertainers Groups, Netherlands. The group put on a dazzling performance showcasing Nigeria’s rich and  variated cultural heritage.

H.E. Mr. Vusimuzi Philemon Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa, H.E. Dr Eniola Ajayi and H.E. Mr. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe , Ambassador of Rwanda.

Ambssador Eniola Ajayi captivated the attendees with her welcome remarks. The guest speaker was Mr Tijmen Rooseboom of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 Dr Eniola Ajayi related “: It is with great joy that I welcome you all to our 62nd Independence Anniversary, being the National Day celebration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I congratulate my Nigerian compatriots for the grace to celebrate this year. I would also like to congratulate our co-celebrants of the October 1 National Day, namely; China, Cyprus, Tuvalu and the Republic of Korea.

I acknowledge Mr Tijmen Rooseboom, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is a Special Envoy to the Sahel/Head of West Africa and Great Lakes unit. I also acknowledge another Special guest in our midst, Mr Michael Balogun, the CEO of Tour2Nigeria.

H.E. Ms. Maria Isabel Gomes, Ambassador of Angola, H.E. Dr Eniola Ajayi, Ambassador of Nigeria, H.E. Ms. Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria and H.E. Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua, Ambassador of Cameroon.

It has been the honour of my life to represent the President and the beautifully diverse people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Nigeria and Netherlands enjoy a very cordial relationship especially in the economic sphere. I am delighted to note that the Kingdom of the Netherlands has footprints in Nigeria predating our Independence when they established an office in Lagos in 1959.

Nigeria established its mission in the Netherlands on 26th November,1966. The highest level of engagement in the past year was the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister Mark Rutte on 24th September, 2021 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. We have also had strategic engagements through Bilateral Consultations and the hosting of delegations in different sectors within the past year.

Netherlands being home to several important multilateral organizations in which Nigeria is a member has provided additional platform for us to contribute to world peace and order especially at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Common Fund for Commodities and the International Courts.

The focus of this year’s celebration is the uniqueness of our country Nigeria and the talents of our diverse population as expressed within the various sectors of human endeavours across the world. This year we are focusing on the Entertainment Industry in Nigeria. We have grown in leaps and bounds especially in the area of Music and Movie making.

“Nollywood”, the name given to the Nigerian film industry is the second largest film industry in the world. It produces 1500-2000 films a year, earning over $660 million annually. It is not surprising that Nigeria has witnessed a series of landmark Nollywood deals in form of content acquisitions from the most popular streamers – Amazon Prime video and Netflix.

A total of about 150 Nigerian films have made it to NETFLIX in just the last 2 years. Netflix will be showing us snippets of what they are doing in Nigeria titled “Naija to the World” this evening. The prospects for greater collaboration is immense, little wonder they are our top sponsor tonight. Thank you NETFLIX.

Nigeria being an African country located in the west, with a population of about 217 million according to Worldometer estimates of the UN in 2022 is pretty well known. That it comprises of 36 federating states and a Federal capital territory occupying a land space of 923,769 square kilometers is in the public domain. The fact that Nigeria is also the largest economy in Africa is common knowledge. Thankfully Nigeria is currently committed to the active diversification into the non-oil sector and has recorded serious growth in Agriculture and Telecommunications sectors in recent years.

One of the greatest partners in our diversification quest is the Kingdom of the Netherlands, being the number 1 trading partner of Nigeria in Europe. Netherlands is very strategic for us because many Dutch companies have been household names in Nigeria for nearly a century. Some of such companies Friesland Campina and Shell International are also partnering with us for this celebration.

This relationship has been truly dynamic in its response to changing economic and climatic challenges in our world. We also thank Ngbaka Brew, the Manufacturers of Ngbaka range of beer drinks for supporting this event. Ngbaka Beer is the success story of (4) four African boys in Europe who chose to keep the authentic African flavour alive.

The challenges of insecurity are receiving attention and thankfully it is abating. We are looking forward to a great year ahead especially with the promise of a free and fair election by the current Government and ultimately a smooth transition of power.

However there are some interesting things about Nigeria that you may not be familiar with. Some of those heartwarming nuggets are as follows:

  1. Nigeria is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world with over 250 ethnic nationalities who speak over 500 distinct languages, little wonder that the official language of our truly diverse nation is English language. The other version of which is our pidgin English. We are so ethnically diverse even in the foods we eat, the type of clothes we wear and the festivals we celebrate. Being different from one another is an acceptable reality within our culture.
  • There is so much that God has endowed Nigeria with. You will be surprised to find out that there is no single state in Nigeria without a mineral deposit. Many of these mineral deposits are in commercial quantities. This is aside from the oil and gas resources of the country. If you like, Nigeria is a reservoir of mineral resources waiting to be mined. Our current priority minerals are: Coal, Bitumen, Limestone, Iron Ore, Barites, Gold, Lead and Zinc.
  • Nigeria is home to the largest earthworks carried out especially prior to the mechanical Era. Remnants of the Nok culture can still be found in Benin City.
  • Nigeria can claim Africa’s largest and oldest dye pit in Kano. A place called Kofar Mata. It was founded in 1498. At a point it was the backbone of the state’s economy.
  • The city of Kano is also the largest commercial hub for the leather industry. In 1851 it made about 10 million pairs of sandals. The Kano tanneries process hides and skins into leather and are the oldest and biggest suppliers of local leather. Leather here is produced in footwear, bags, clothing and it is sometimes exported. Some of the biggest fashion brands like Louis Vuitton are known to source some of their leather from Kano tanneries. I am standing on a Leather carpet from Kano this evening.
  • Nigeria boasts of the ‘Twins Capital’ of the world. Igbo-Ora, a small town in Oyo State, southwest Nigeria has the largest concentration of twins with 158 twin births in 1000. The global average is 12 in 1000. They attribute it to a diet of yam and okro. However, the jury is still out as to the exact reason.
  • Nigeria is haven to many natural wonders of nature with a very diverse species of animals and plants in the world. The Niger-Delta and Cross River state forests are some of the most important biospheres housing one of the largest diversity of butterflies in the world, about 1828 species strong. It is home to over 1000 species of Amphibians and birds. The Niger-Delta has the most monotypic fish family in the world.
  • Another Nigerian natural wonder is the Ikogosi Warm spring in Ekiti State, south west Nigeria. It is a natural spring with hot and cold water flowing side by side even at their meeting point.
  • Nigeria takes pride in many of her citizens as a country. Some of those citizens are; but not limited to, Professor Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright and political activist who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 being the first black African to be so honoured. Other notable authors are Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Adiche just to name a few. Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, the Nigerian Fetal and Peadiatric surgeon who operated a baby-in-vitro at a Texas Children’s Hospital in 2016. Some award winning musicians of Nigerian descent include, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti who started the Afro-beat, Burna Boy, Wiz-Kid, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Sade Adu, Kizz Daniel and 2Baba of the African Queen fame. Many Nigerians are excelling academically on the national and international stage. The numbers are quite impressive for any nation. Nigerians are the most educated minority group in the United States of America. A Nigerian, Engineer Róbert Sylvester Okojie is the fourth black man to be inducted into the US NASA’s inventors Hall of fame for a total of 22 products that have been patented. One of our latest accomplishment is the recent world record set by Tobi Amusan in the 100m Hurdles at 12.12seconds during the recent 2022 World Athletics Championship meet in Oregon USA, she went further to clinch the Diamond League Title for the season in that category.
  1. Nigeria has contributed significantly to the world peace, serving in many peace keeping missions and the United Nations Security Council five times. Many Nigerians are serving globally in many multilateral organizations such as H.E. Amina Mohammed – Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala- Director General, World Trade Organization, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina – President Africa Development Bank, Late Mr Mohammed Barkindo – former Secretary General OPEC, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye – Commissioner, for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission, Mrs Ugochi Florence Daniels – Deputy Director General Operations IOM, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji – the immediate past President of the ICC and Ambassador Tijjani Mohammed-Bande and the current Chairman of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.
  1. Nigerians are well noted for their prowess in sports, especially football and basketball. We even dare to compete in sports like the Bobsled team that represented Nigeria at the 2018 Winter Olympics led by Seun Adigun.

The Nigerian citizen tells the story of dynamism, courage, resilience, strength and the ability to reinvent itself over and over again. The Human Capital of Nigeria remains our strength and hope for a brilliant future. We smile through our trials and adversities knowing that Nigeria will be greater still, because it has all the seeds of greatness waiting to bloom inevitably.

Nigeria is a very warm and accommodating society on the whole. I am yet to meet a diplomat who didn’t have a memorable experience serving in Nigeria. This is particularly noteworthy when you see how Nigerians find humour in everything in spite of the challenges we confront daily. We always find a reason to laugh. This is why we love the Netherlands so much. The Dutch people also have the culture of making people feel welcome.

H.E. Ms Odette Melono, Deputy Secretary General OPCW, Ambassador Ajayi and H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General.

Thank you all for making out time to join in our celebration today. You are all sincerely appreciated. Please enjoy this evening and everything we have to offer especially our Nigerian cuisine and the raffle draws courtesy of Jansen Holland Fabrics, makers of the popular Ankara fabrics and Bestgames Nigeria Limited, Distributors of the Nigerian Monopoly editions.

Bedankt, Thank you.”

In conclusion, guests were treated to an exquisite Nigerian buffet, including a classic version of the unbeatable King of Rice, Jollof rice.

Jollof rice is a meal that cuts across all levels of Nigeria’s diverse society.

Times are so bad, we need to create a ‘Human Rights League’

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Times are so bad, we need to create a ‘Human Rights League’

By Nacho Sànchez Amor and Meglena Kuneva

Euobserver (12.10.2022) – https://bit.ly/3g95V6s – Every person has inherent, inalienable, and indivisible rights. This premise is the fundamental achievement of humankind. Yet, over the past years, we have witnessed an increase in violations of human rights and democratic values across the world.

Executions, tortures, arbitrary arrests and detentions, clampdown on civil society and political opponents, excessive violence by public authorities, censorship and threats to independent media, and disinformation — to name some of the most obvious examples.

With a string of crises, from the financial meltdown and the Covid-19 pandemic to Russia’s war against Ukraine, we have seen a rise of illiberal and authoritarian forces undermining the basis of our modern civilisation — universal human rights.

The undemocratic regimes resort to a narrative of relativism by claiming that human rights are “a weapon of cultural hegemony”.

They are creating an ideological and political discord over the universality of human rights. They hide behind a perverted logic of the “veil of ignorance”, defending a concept of democracy based not on values, but on a shallow ideology according to which universal human rights are a product of hegemonic eurocentrism or Western neo-colonialism.

One does not have to try hard to find an example of this kind of narrative.

The Covid-19 pandemic proved a perfect alibi for these regimes to impose their autocratic agendas. By spreading disinformation and disregarding the international rules-based order, they targeted disappointed and disillusioned people let down by self-complacent democracies.

This dangerous trend unequivocally calls for a truly global alliance to defend universal human rights.

It requires a genuine Human Rights League.

Countries and international organisations across the world have never joined forces in a proper human rights alliance.

In 1993, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions was established, composed mainly of national human rights institutions interacting with the United Nations.

The Alliance of Civilisations, created in 2007, focused on international action against extremism.

US president, Joe Biden, hosted the Summit for Democracy in December last year.

All these initiatives are most valuable, but none of them is a genuine global human rights alliance, which the world desperately needs.

Liberal and mature democracies and international organisations, joined in the Human Rights League, have to wake up from complacency, stand firm against illiberal and autocratic regimes and reaffirm our shared commitment to universal human rights as a global model of society.

We need to go beyond sterile strategic dialogues. We need to move from resolutions and statements to a more assertive and decisive action.

The first opportunity to discuss all this, and to kick off the League, will be the event organised this Thursday (13 October) in the European Parliament. Human rights allies will gather to exchange views on how to make this idea a reality.

In this endeavour, the parliament has a crucial role to play, being the most vocal and devoted EU institution in defending democratic values, a true moral force, as well as a beacon for human rights activists all around the world.

With a noble and ambitious idea of the Human Rights League in mind, it is also crucial to analyse our Union’s human rights toolbox, including political and strategic tools, legal and enforcement instruments, as well as diplomatic means.

It is necessary to further develop a comprehensive, united, and coherent European human rights vision and action.

A thorough reflection on this will allow us to better use our instruments in promoting and protecting human rights as an integral element of the EU’s foreign policy. There will never be a stronger EU in the world without a powerful human rights policy.

About the author:

Nacho Sánchez Amor MEP is Socialists & Democrats spokesperson on human rights. Meglena Kuneva is a former EU Commissioner and ambassador to the Council of Europe.

__________________________

Share the link to this article posted on HRWF website https://bit.ly/3T6zgxm

Crackdown on cannabis-trafficking criminal network: 12 arrests   

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
<strong>Crackdown on cannabis-trafficking criminal network: 12 arrests   </strong>

Authorities in France and Spain have taken action against an organised crime group involved in trafficking of cannabis. Some members of the network belong to the same family. Eurojust coordinated and supported the action, which led to the arrest of 12 suspects and the seizure of several luxury items.

The case was opened at Eurojust in April 2022 at the request of the French authorities. Two coordination meetings were hosted by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation, including the execution of two European Arrest Warrants and one European Investigation Order in Spain and the preparation of the joint action day.

During the joint action day on 13 October, 12 suspects were arrested, 9 in Spain and 3 in France. Eleven places were searched in Spain and five in France. Seizures include EUR 45 000 in cash, as well as 12 vehicles.

  The following authorities took part in the operations:

• France: Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris and Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire (Narcotics Unit)

• Spain: Juzgado de Instrucción (Investigative Court) Nº 8 in Málaga, Fiscalía Provincial (PPO) in Málaga; Policía Nacional (Group 1 UDYCO Costa del Sol Málaga)

Neutrality as a Road to Prosperity

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Neutrality as a Road to Prosperity

By Prof. Lucija Mulej

It is a great privilege to be amongst distinguished thinkers and architects of the future we all co-create. Admitting worries for common good since contemporary world tensions and energetic crisis are colliding with humanitarian questions, we reflect assurance, decision. Hope. 

That atmosphere is profoundly radiant in the great 15-century priory of green entourage and reflections of river Rhone one must admire. Scholars, thinkers, and diplomats gather in this prestigious surrounding. The Swiss University of Geneve is today designated as a profound establishment of dialogue, research, and political culture, inviting diversity and inclusion. University upholds privilege of exceptional keynote speakers of different backgrounds. Among them are former presidents, prime ministers, thinkers, Nobel prize laureates and other personalities with distinguished careers and experience.

Adding to his series, in early October 2022, prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic conducted and moderated two distinguished days of fresh insights, noble ideas, and stamina by believing in the power of dialogue. Excellency Heinz Fisher, former Austrian State President, was the first guest. H.E. Fisher presented the narrative of WWII, primarily portraying his younger days at school:

“In my childhood, in primary school, we had to greet our teacher with “Heil Hitler” every morning. Can you imagine the climate of that era in most delicate youth?”, he stated.

President Heinz Fischer was born on 9 October 1938 in Graz, Styria, Austria. This young boy was brough up in detrimental Nazi dictatorship, while his parents, father as a civil servant, Esperanto teacher, opposer of contemporary political predominance, discussed the perils and horrendous consequences of sadistic Nazi regime only in Esperanto, what gave us just a blink of precepting the devastating times of that era. Why Esperanto?

“The totalitarian regimes are all blind for what is alive and spontaneous. A child is open. His testimony though innocence and truthfulness could send someone to working camps. It was dangerous to say anything against and Esperanto was revealing. And safe”.

On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired for the second time in four years, to seize the Austrian government by force and unite their nation with Nazi Germany.

“This era was a time of darkness, spiritual suffering, and loss of common sense in the nation’s aspirations and hope. Inner light was dimmed. This great suffering was dormant in the previous phases after the collapse of Austro-Hungarian Empire and afterwards”.

H.E. Fisher argued the importance of historical and longitudinal line of data. Deepen knowledge of world events rebuilds and reshapes basic and grounding facts and angles the foundations from where one can estimate occurring consequences. E.g., creating stable national identity, retrenching all negative aspects of nationalisms, seems to be impossible without nascent phases of democratic development:

“Each phase of the process takes its own time. Without historic perspective and broader context, one cannot ever understand the present tendencies”.

Excellency Fisher spoke about major historic events, like 1st republic of Austria, which is essential to understand succeeding historical acts. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy on 30th October 1918, the provisional national assembly of German Austria elected a State Council (Staatsrat) executive, which itself appointed a state government with the Social Democratic politician Karl Renner as head of the State Chancellery with three main political parties—Social Democrats, the Christian Social Party (CS) and German Nationalists (Greater Germans). As acting executive body, it remained in office until the Constitutional Assembly of the Austrian Fist Republic on 15th March 1919.

From 5th March 1933 onwards, the Christian Social chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß continued to rule by suppressing the National Council parliament.

“In the course of the Austrian Civil War on 1st May 1934, the authoritarian Federal State of Austria was implemented. All political parties were banned, except for the Fatherland’s Front supporting Dollfuß’ Austrofascist government”.

The Federal Government ceased at the Anschluss (the incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany) on 13th March 1938.

As well Second Republic added the missing jigsaw and corelated some major events and historic figures, naming just few. Second Republic, whereon 27thApril 1945, a provisional Austrian national unity government was formed, with important datum 20th December 1945, when Austrian Constitution was officially re-enacted with ÖVP founder Leopold Figl, forming the first post-war Federal Government. Interesting is “The Victim Theory” (German: Opferthese), encapsulated in the slogan “Austria – the Nazis’ first victim”, which was the ideological basis for Austria under allied occupation (1945–1955) and in the Second Austrian Republic until the 1980s. According to the founders of the Second Austrian Republic, the 1938 Anschluss was an act of military aggression by the Third Reich. The “victim theory” formed in 1949 insisted that all the Austrians, including those who strongly supported Hitler, had been unwilling victims of the Nazi regime and were therefore not responsible for its crimes.

Austria, the “land that nobody wanted”, along the many years, aside pitfalls and victories in discourse and coordinated action, gained its neutral status in tangled historic context.

Austria is bound to neutrality by the 1955 Austrian State Treaty and its constitution, which prohibits entry into military alliances and the establishment of foreign military bases on Austrian territory. Austrian neutrality is an enforced neutrality.

“The territory of Austria was occupied by allied forces until 1955. In 1955 the Soviet Union, in the Moscow memorandum, demanded Austria’s neutrality on the model of Switzerland”.

All the countries with which Austria had diplomatic relations, ratified the Austrian State Treaty.

Today, in reinforcing the culture of dialogue, Austria is a special country with strong culture, music, literature, and profound history. Latest interest is also a great devotion of our guest.

President Fisher, lawyer and professor always admired history and his narrative is profound. Lectures gathered us in conscious awareness how to tackle subtle and deeply sensitive diplomatic questions, while reality is often yielding no traces of support, neither hint of solutions. What matters is integrity and character. And personal, private acolytes we meet on the paths, like colleagues, siblings, parents, and spouses, are indispensable. H.E. wife, First Lady Ms. Margit Fisher was gracing audience with her presence and kindness as well.

H.E. Fisher served his country for many years. He took office as 11th State President of the Republic of Austria on 8th July 2004 and was re-elected for a second and last term on 25th April 2010, leaving office on 8th July 2016.

Excellency Heinz Fischer studied law at the University of Vienna, earning a doctorate in 1961. Apart from being a politician, Fischer also pursued an academic career and became a professor of Political Science at the University of Innsbruck. After two terms as Federal President of the Republic of Austria and more than 40 years in public office, Heinz Fischer retired in July 2016 as Head of State and was succeeded by Prof. Alexander Van der Bellen.

Today H.E. Fisher is active in many boards and collaborates with vanguard crucial figures. As he already did in his early career days: “I am proud being a co-founder of Amnesty International Austria, and Editor of many magazines for Political Sciences”.

In January 2017 Heinz Fischer was named president to the Board of the Institute for Human Science and in August 2017 was appointed as co-chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens.

Excellency Fischer wrote several books in the field of political science and contemporary history. He was among the first speakers under the auspices of so-called ‘Executive Master in Intl. Relations and Global Politics’. Lecture series will host current and former heads of states or government Nobel prize laureates, and other influencers in the world of politics, economy, security and energy.  

About the author:

Prof. Lucija Mulej

Prof. Lucija Mulej, Ph.D is an author, columnist, professor and creator of the non-technological innovations (such as her own method: Connectivity of Intelligences 4 Q )

Malaysia Cooking Demonstration Edition 2022

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Malaysia Cooking Demonstration Edition 2022

The Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dato’ Nadzirah Osman hosted a Malaysian culinary event at the Rumah Malaysia (Ambassador’s Residence) in Wassenaar on 7 October 2022.  The event was attended by Dutch dignitaries, Ambassadors and members of the Ambassadors’ Spouses Association (ASA), ASEAN Ladies Circle, members of the Dutch media, as well as representative of a local oriental supermarket chain in the Netherlands.

The event featured Tourism Malaysia’s Ambassador for Food and Culture, Chef Dato’ Ismail Ahmad who demonstrated the preparation of three types of Malaysian dishes — Nasi Ulam (Mixed Herbs/ Salad Rice), Kari Daging (Beef Curry), and Kuih Ketayap (Crêpes with Sweet Coconut Fillings). Chef Ismail also amazed the guests with his pulled tea (popularly known as the Tarik in Malaysia) making skills. Few guests showed their cooking skills by trying the recipe.

H.E. Ms. Nadzirah Binti Osman, Ambassador of Malaysia.

The cooking demonstration was followed by a luncheon where guests indulged in sumptuous Malaysian delicacies prepared by Chef Ismail and members of the Ladies Association of the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague (PERWAKILAN The Hague).

In her welcoming remarks, Dato’ Nadzirah mentioned that Malaysia is renowned not only for its beautiful landscape, sandy beaches, pristine clear waters, and biodiversity-rich flora and fauna but also for its wide array of culinary treasures.

Chef Dato’ Ismail Ahmad and the Ambassador of Argentina, H.E. Mr. Mario Oyarzabal.

“These culinary treasures are an important element of Malaysia’s intangible cultural heritage. As a multi-ethnic and multicultural country, Malaysian cuisine tells the stories of Malaysia, its people, culture, and traditions.” She said.

She also mentioned that “before the pandemic, gastronomy tourism generated RM10.5 billion, 13.3% of total tourism revenue in Malaysia. 

Malaysia Cooking Demonstration Edition 2022 at the residence.

“In 2021, Malaysia successfully designated Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak, as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This recognition from UNESCO is in line with Malaysia’s plan to cultivate elements of innovation and creativity in elevating the gastronomy tourism ecosystem towards sustainable outcomes and positive socio-economic impact.”

She ended her remarks by stating that “as a gastronomical paradise, travellers can connect with Malaysia by immersing themselves in its food, history, people, culture, and environment.”

Chef Ismail and Breatriz Piza from Costa Rica.

The event received excellent reviews from all the guests. Guests were also gifted with a recipe booklet signed by Chef Ismail. Guests were also gifted with a recipe booklet signed by Chef Ismail.

The Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague has been actively promoting Malaysia as a tourism and gastronomy destination. Malaysian fruits and food products have entered the Dutch markets and have begun to gain popularity among the locals.

Basic is no longer good enough!

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Basic is no longer good enough!
Uniting for systems change to achieve clean water and sanitation for all in Africa
ACCRA, GHANA | 18 OCTOBER 2022 – The Government of Ghana, IRC and UNICEF are challenging systems thinkers and public experts to advance a strong and clear agenda for system strengthening if African governments are to achieve and sustain the ambitious targets for water, sanitation and hygiene services for all by 2030.

In March 2000, African leaders signed up to the vision of an Africa where there is sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation that are safe and adequate to meet basic needs of all by 2025.

22 years on, 395 million African still lack access to safely managed drinking water and 504 million live without safe sanitation services. While there remains a huge deficit in infrastructure, many of the available facilities are inadequately managed, breakdown prematurely, or are poorly regulated, underfunded, and fall short of the dignified public service standards put forward in the human right to water and sanitation.

So why has so little progress been made during the past 20 years? The response is that without strong and resilient systems that work well, the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in Africa, as elsewhere, fails.

Systems are all around us, delivering essential services that we rely on. Education, health, road traffic – in each case, we interact with these systems daily. When they work well, systems are unnoticed by the people they serve. When they don’t, the failure is obvious: the flight is cancelled, the electricity shuts down, the tap opens but no water comes out.
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources of the Republic of Ghana.

“We are all very aware of the complex systems and interrelationships the water and sanitation sector have with our economies. The All systems go Africa symposium provides the platform to make key strategic decisions that will deliver better value to the people we serve. I am convinced that with your inputs, this symposium will be a turning point for the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector in Africa.” said Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources of the Republic of Ghana.

The All systems go Africa symposium happening from 19-21 October hosted by the Government of Ghana in Accra, and organised in partnership with IRC and UNICEF, provides Africa the opportunity to kick-start a continental agenda that will focus efforts towards achieving effective and resilient governance, management and operating systems for water, sanitation and hygiene.

1...144145146...866Page 145 of 866