Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi case: collective reparations launched

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Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi case: collective reparations launched

Bamako, The Hague, 12 July 2022 – Ten years after the destruction of the mausoleums of Timbuktu, reparations are continuing to be provided for the victims in the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, who is due to be released on 18 September of this year. Following on from the symbolic and individual reparations, the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court and its partners have launched the collective reparations programme for Timbuktu, on 6 July, in the presence of the city and regional authorities.

“Launching the collective reparations exactly ten years after the commission of this war crime is a powerful symbol. Although Mali is still facing a major crisis and the security situation in the region of Timbuktu remains highly precarious, this nevertheless demonstrates that justice is possible and that the victims’ right to justice can and must be guaranteed. The cultural and religious heritage that was targeted during these attacks is now reconstructed and stands at the heart of daily life in the community of Timbuktu, which will now be able to benefit from specific measures intended to address the harm suffered”, states Ibrahim Sorie Yillah, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims.

Ceremony to mark the launch of the collective reparations, Timbuktu, 6 July 2022 (©Hameye Touré).

Following the implementation of the symbolic reparations, which took place on 30 March 2021 in Bamako, more than 880 victims have benefited from individual reparations, in accordance with the corresponding Decision of Trial Chamber VIII of the International Criminal Court. Now that the individual reparations are almost complete and the necessary consultations have been conducted among the Timbuktu community, the collective reparations can now commence.

On 6 July 2022, the Trust Fund for Victims and its partners, CFOGRAD, UNESCO and CIDEAL, launched their reparations at a ceremony held at the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Institut des hautes études et de recherches islamiques Ahmed Baba) of Timbuktu, in partnership with the local and regional authorities and attended by the Mali Representative of the International Criminal Court. Canada and Norway, which are contributing to the Trust Fund’s reparations programme, were both represented on this occasion.

These reparations consist of three components: i) restoration of the cultural heritage (UNESCO); ii) commemorations to address the moral harm caused to the community of Timbuktu (CFOGRAD); iii) an economic resilience facility to address the damage caused to the Timbuktu economy as a result of the destruction of its cultural heritage (CIDEAL).

“The collective reparations are especially important as they are long-awaited by the whole of the community following the individual reparations, which involved only a limited number of beneficiaries based on their particular connection to the destroyed mausoleums. In the context of these reparations, the commemorations will play a key role in passing on and conveying the role and significance of our heritage to future generations,” states Aboubacrine Cissé, Mayor of Timbuktu, during the launch ceremony.

Aboubacrine Cissé, Mayor of Timbuktu, Ibrahim Sorie Yillah, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, and Nouhoum Sangaré, Chief of Field Office of the ICC in Mali, during the launch ceremony in Timbuktu, 6 July 2022 (©Hameye Touré).

In order to support the commemoration initiatives, CFOGRAD, a partner organisation of the Trust Fund, set up participatory commemoration committees throughout the whole city, which brought together all sections of the population to reflect on the commemoration. Once the initial proposals had been prepared by the various committees, it was then necessary to share and consolidate these with the administrative and political authorities in Timbuktu in order to jointly determine the form that the commemorations should take.

“Commemorations are not a simple matter and raise numerous questions. What is it that we want to commemorate? The destruction of our heritage? Its reconstruction? What form must they take, and how can they be integrated into our life and community in a manner that will have meaning and enable them to be passed on to future generations? These are the questions that the commemoration committees need to address in co-operation with the city and regional authorities. And it is only in this way that the commemorations will be able to provide a restorative dimension for our community, in the spirit of the decision issued by the judges of the International Criminal Court”,  states Alpha Touré, Director of CFOGRAD.

At the same time, on 5 July 2022, the Governor of the Timbuktu Region, Mr Bakoun Kanté, established a regional commission to coordinate and monitor the collective reparations measures [Decision attached as an annex], which was tasked with supporting the measures implemented by the Trust Fund for Victims. Supporting the city authorities should help to facilitate implementation of the activities associated not only with the commemorations but also with the economic assistance and the heritage restoration.

“The heritage that was destroyed in Timbuktu is of exceptional universal value. As part of its mandate, UNESCO has already contributed significantly to its reconstruction. In supporting the Trust Fund for Victims with the implementation of a historic decision in the field of international criminal justice, in favour of cultural heritage – and at a time when this is threatened in numerous regions of the world – UNESCO intends to go even further in terms of restoring the heritage that constitutes an important part of the identity of this city and its inhabitants,” states Edmond Moukala, Representative of UNESCO in Mali.

Reflection and remembrance at the cemetery of the three Saints, with the descendants of the Saints, on the day before the launch of the collective reparations, 5 July 2022 (©Hameye Touré).

On 26 September 2016, Mr Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was found guilty by the International Criminal Court of the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against buildings of a religious and historical character and was sentenced to nine years’ of imprisonment. Since that date, he has been serving his sentence. In November 2021, the ICC granted his early release, which is due to take effect on 18 September 2022.

“In the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, which is drawing to a close with the implementation of the reparations and his upcoming release, the International Criminal Court acts – as it does in all its proceedings in Mali and elsewhere – in complementarity with the State concerned. In the wake of the work carried out by the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (Commission Vérité Justice et Réconciliation), Mali has an ambitious reparations programme at the national level. The launch of the collective reparations is fully in line with this process, which is aimed at upholding the rights of the victims to receive reparations,” states Nouhoum Sangaré, Representative, Chief of Field Offices of the International Criminal Court in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

Judge Graciela Gatti Santana participates in Twenty-Seventh Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide

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Judge Graciela Gatti Santana participates in Twenty-Seventh Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide

The Hague, 12 July 2022– The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, today concluded her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) where she participated in a series of events marking the Twenty-Seventh Commemoration of the Genocide in Srebrenica.

Yesterday, 11 July, the President took part in the official Commemoration ceremony held at the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potočari, BiH, along with a number of other high-level international and national dignitaries. In her remarks delivered at the ceremony, President Gatti Santana noted that: “the name ‘Srebrenica’ carries such weight, and is so significant, that it is known by people around the world. It evokes a full spectrum of memories and emotions that can bring one from the depths of despair, through to real belief in the human spirit and hope for the future.”

President Gatti Santana further highlighted the Mechanism’s role in safeguarding the precious legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), underscoring the importance of sharing knowledge about what happened during the 1990s conflicts in the region. In this context, she stated that: “After all, if we forget the past, we are doomed to repeat it.”  Following the ceremony, the President paid her respects to the victims of the Genocide in Srebrenica by laying a flower in their honour.

While in BiH, President Gatti Santana also delivered closing remarks at the “Srebrenica Heroines” international conference, which was held on 10 July at the Srebrenica Memorial Center. This was the first conference of its kind, dedicated to honouring the women survivors of the Genocide in Srebrenica.

Today in Sarajevo, President Gatti Santana took part in a Diplomatic Briefing hosted by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in BiH, Ms Ingrid Macdonald. The President provided an update on the Mechanism’s current activities and priorities to members of the diplomatic community accredited to BiH and representatives of international organisations. During the afternoon, she paid a visit to the Information Centre on the ICTY, which is housed in the Sarajevo City Hall.

The President also met with a number of high-level officials, representatives of victims’ groups and others while in BiH.

This was President Gatti Santana’s first visit to the region of the former Yugoslavia since assuming office as Mechanism President on 1 July 2022.

On the Policy of the Uzbek leadership to support the development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan

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On the Policy of the Uzbek leadership to support the development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan

Uzbekistan has always given priority to promoting the development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. This largest region of the country in terms of territory has large natural and raw materials and agricultural resources, labor potential, transport networks and industrial infrastructure.

The sustainable development of this region is hampered by the negative impact of the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea region, difficult climatic conditions, low population density, low quality of land and water resources, and transport remoteness of settlements. According to UN estimates, most of the region is an arid zone, highly prone to land degradation. All this has an impact on the economic development of Karakalpakstan, social well-being and health of the population, attracting the constant attention of Tashkent.

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly noted that he is “the son of not only the Uzbek, but also the Karakalpak people.” In his speeches, he always focuses on the fact that “New Uzbekistan is a state the main goal of which is to ensure a free, comfortable and prosperous life for a multinational people.”

“Karakalpakstan is one of the regions, the solution of development problems of which has become one of the priorities of the state policy.” It is no coincidence that in September 2021, as a presidential candidate, Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his election campaign precisely by visiting this region. In February 2022, the President spent three days in Karakalpakstan, studying the situation in the regions, the results achieved and remaining problems, and ways to resolve them.

Thanks to this, over the past 5 years, significant positive results have been achieved in the socio-economic development of Karakalpakstan. Gross domestic product (GRP) increased by 32%, industrial production increased by 30%, agricultural production by 20%. The number of operating enterprises in the region increased by 59%.

For five years, 4,390 thousand sq.m. of land for housing were put into operation in the region, 15.2 thousand places were created in preschool institutions, 38.3 thousand places in schools. Since 2017, the coverage of children with preschool education has increased from 32% to 75%. During the same period, approximately 127 thousand new jobs were created. For the period 2011-2020 GRP per capita increased by 6.9 times.

All this dynamics of socio-economic development is provided not only by significant financial support from the state (Karakalpakstan is one of the main recipients of subsidies from the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan), but also by a system of other measures and mechanisms for targeted support of the region.

Over the past five years alone, 11 trillion Uzbek Soums have been allocated to the regional budget. Significant grants and loans from foreign donors and international financial institutions have been attracted. The Senate of the Oliy Majlis formed the Committee for the Development of the Aral Sea Region, Improving Life and Increasing the Income of the Population. Each city and region of Karakalpakstan is assigned to one of the regions of Uzbekistan (Nukus – to Tashkent, Muynak District – to the Tashkent Region, etc.). Similar patronage is entrusted to departments and large banks. As part of the “Doing Business in Karakalpakstan” campaign, 264 projects worth $350 million have been developed.

Great importance is attached to the development of the region’s transport infrastructure. The Muynak airport, frozen for 30 years, was reconstructed, which made it possible to restore air traffic Tashkent – Muynak – Nukus. In September 2020, ADB provided a $274 million loan for the reconstruction of the Nukus-Beyneu highway.

The successful industrial development of the region is evidenced by the construction and commissioning of dozens of enterprises in the fields of electric power, chemical, petrochemical industries and building materials. The largest of them are the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex, the Kungrad Soda Plant and the Khodjeliy Glass Plant. From 2017 to 2020, industrial production increased from 2.1 times. Over the same period, the total volume of investments in fixed capital increased by almost 3.7 times.

The targeted programs have been adopted and are being implemented for food production, cultivation and process agricultural products, cultivate medicinal plants, as well as establish logistics centers in the agricultural sector.

The main directions for further increasing the economic potential of Karakalpakstan are defined in the Presidential Resolution «On measures for the integrated socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan for 2020-2023». It focuses on creating the new «growth points» of cities and districts, supporting for areas with a low level of development. It is set to create 374 facilities and 27 clusters, increase the annual export volume to $347 million, and rise the export enterprises to 250. 1,359 investment projects with a total amount of 12,3 trillion Uzbek Soums have been formed.

In the medium term, it is planned to put into operation a mining and metallurgical complex, modernize the Ustyurt gas chemical complex, as well as build hydrogen and nitrogen filling stations, etc.

Establishing a situational center for the investment projects in the capital of the Nukus region, on the basis of which a unified system for the formation, implementation and monitoring of business projects has been formed, will contribute to improving the efficiency of the region’s investment complex. A Council of Entrepreneurs has also been established, which interacts with project teams when discussing new ideas and proposals, as well as attracts the entrepreneurs for their implementation.

The development of the region is stimulated both by the system of tax and other benefits, and by the creation of special economic zones. The profit tax, income tax, turnover tax and social tax will amount to 1% for local industry in the agriculture and services sectors for the period of 2022-2030.

During the period of 2022-2026 the Export Promotion Agency will reimburse the small business entities of the Aral Sea Region 50% of the cost of railway transportation from other regions of the republic of machinery and equipment for the construction of enterprises and for the export of their products with high added value.

The Free economic Zone (FEZ) «Nukus-pharm», created in 2017, is designed to develop the pharmaceutical industry on the basis of its own medicinal plant raw materials. It is planned to create a free industrial zone in the Shumanai district on the border with Turkmenistan.

The export-oriented vegetable crops will be grown on 12 thousand hectares instead of cotton, the Karakalpak-Agro FEZ is developing, sesame plantations are being created, and the number of pedigreed cattle is increasing in the agricultural sector.

Active work is underway to protect and restore the ecological system of the Aral Sea region. According to the UN General Assembly Resolution of May 18, 2021, the Aral Sea zone is the main part of Karakalpakstan, as well as has become a zone of environmental innovation and technology. A project on greening the bottom of the dried-up Aral Sea is being implemented. Green spaces with an area of 1,7 million hectares have already been planted there. It is set to introduce the  electronic cartography and create a database of endangered species of flora and fauna.

As part of the innovative development program of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, an Academy of Young Scientists and a Youth Technopark are being established in Nukus to support young scientists and researchers, within which a laboratory with a genetic bank of plant seeds, a business accelerator and a training center at the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region will be opened.

There has been active cooperation with international institutions and foreign policy partners to improve the socio-economic situation in Karakalpakstan. At the initiative of the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in November 2018, the United Nations Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan was established.

Within five years, it is planned to attract $123.2 million to increase employment, improve social and natural conditions of Karakalpakstan. The government of Uzbekistan transferred the first tranche of $6.5 million to the fund. Funding arrangements have been made with the EU ($5.5 million), Finland, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Switzerland.

As part of the SCO chairmanship, the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward the program «the SCO Green Belt », which provides for the expansion of cooperation between member States in the field of environmental protection. The first SCO event (meeting of the Council of National Coordinators in October 2021) was held in the capital of the region – Nukus.

Together with UNICEF, a programme was being implemented to improve the health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene and well-being of the population, primarily the adolescents of Karakalpakstan. The programme addresses the needs of the population through the construction of sanitation facilities, improved access to safe water, hygiene promotion and sanitary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of Uzbekistan abroad have established active efforts to attract funds and credits for socio-economic development in Karakalpakstan and to reduce the adverse impact of climatic conditions. A project worth $24.5 million is being implemented with ACWA Power Saudi Arabia for the construction and operation of a 100 MW wind farm in the Karatau district of Karakalpakstan.

In general, the socio-economic development of Karakalpakstan, the improvement of the population’s life and the overcoming of the environmental crisis in the Aral Sea region are priority objectives of State policy and an important part of the development strategy of New Uzbekistan. The measures taken are designed to ensure the joint construction of New Karakalpakstan, to help strengthen the unity of the two peoples.

Kosovo Duo Concert: No Frame

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Kosovo Duo Concert: No Frame

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Kosovo Embassy in the Netherlands organized a cultural diplomacy soiree a piano guitar concert. The occasion was the NATO intervention leading up to freedom.

H.E. Mr Dren Doli, Ambassador of Kosovo in the Netherlands made the opening remarks.

The theme of the concert was No Frame referring to spontaneous communication between the two performers, Arben Ramadani piano and Armend Xhaferi guitar. Improvised music, no predefined program, just expressing mutual inner feelings through the tune of Kosovo music, substituted by classical music.

Kosovar musicians, Arben Ramadani piano and Armend Xhaferi guitar.

The concert was held on 30 June 2022, at Het Korenhuis in the heart of The Hague.  Het Korenhuis was built as a corn exchange in 1663, where grain was stored and traded.

An amazing soiree, bravo Kosovo !

No Frame Kosovar concert

Bangladesh @ 50, water story photo book launch in Delft-The Netherlands

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Bangladesh @ 50, water story photo book launch in Delft-The Netherlands

By Roy Lie Atjam

Delft, 30 June 2022. The Bangladesh Ambassador in the Netherlands Mr Riaz Hamidullah, and Dutch Water Envoy Mr Henk Ovink, launched a book capturing award-winning pictures from younger Bangladeshi and Dutch photographers.

The book results from sixteen months of collaboration between the main Dutch water analysis establishment, Deltares – Annemieke Nijhof  and the Embassy of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh @ 50, water story photo book launch in Delft-The Netherlands.

In the  past year,  the Photo Contest had 800,000 outreaches on social media of  which a jury has selected ten Bangladeshi pictures.

The commemorative photo book has been produced as a part of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and Bangladesh and devoted to the Father of Nation  Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh-the Netherlands water story.

The book launching event attracted major figures from the Dutch water sector, such as IHE, Wageningen University, Royal Haskoning, and other institutions.

Several news outlets in Bangladesh as Financial Express, TBS News, and UNB,  divulgated the news of the launching of the prestigious work.

Kudos to the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands.

Luxembourg  National Day Celebration 2022

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Luxembourg  National Day Celebration 2022

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Ambassador of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Hoscheit and Mrs Nicole Hoscheit-Maes organized a reception on the National Day of Luxembourg at their residence on 23 June 2022.

On this sunny afternoon, the lawns of the residence serve as a fabulous backdrop for the reception. Without a doubt, Ambassador Hoscheit’s colleagues enjoy the program.

In his speech, Ambassador Jean-Marc Hoscheit expressed the view that many tourists will visit Luxembourg since the free movement of persons within the Schengen countries has resumed. Hoscheit invited his guest to taste the Luxembourg cuisine and beverages.

The Ambassador of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Hoscheit and Mrs Nicole Hoscheit-Maes welcome a guest.

The saxophone quartet Saxitude a creative and high-energy saxophone quartet from Luxembourg delighted the guests with their musical intermezzo. Further, on the program, Mr Piet Hein Donner was made “Grand Officer of the Order of the Oak Crown”.

Those in attendance included a long slate of Ambassadors and other dignitaries, China, DG.OPCW and many others.

Congratulations Luxembourg.

Africa Works 2022 Conference

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Africa Works 2022 Conference

Theme “Innovation for Resilient Growth”

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Hague, 28 June 2022, the NABC  Netherlands-African Business Council, NABC  has organised the “Africa Works! 2022” conference.

Africa Works! 2022, designed to promote and facilitate international trade between Africa and the Netherlands, facilitate foreign direct investment in Africa, and provide a platform to expand or establish business operations in Africa. The Republic of Algeria has participated in the conference.

The Ambassador of Angola, H.E. Ms. Maria Isabel Gomes Godinho de Resende Encoge, the Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Slim Ghariani, Mrs Rosmarijn Fens, the Managing Director of the NABC (Netherlands-African Business Council), the Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, the Ambassador of Cameroon, H.E. Ms. Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua and the host, H.E. Ms. Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria.

In the context of the participation of Algerian Businessmen in Africa Works 2022, the Ambassador of Algeria H.E. Mrs Salima Abdelhak hosted a cocktail dinner at her residence.

Several friends of Algeria, Ambassadors, diaspora and some others attended this pleasurable outdoor cocktail dinner.

Algerian business mission with H.E. Ms. Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria at the official residence.
Algerian business mission with H.E. Ms. Salima Abdelhak, Ambassador of Algeria at the official residence.

Photographer Chris Ronteltap.

Criminal network that smuggled migrants across Europe dismantled     

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Criminal network that smuggled migrants across Europe dismantled     

Eurojust has assisted authorities in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Poland, Germany and Hungary in dismantling an organised crime group (OCG) that was involved in migrant smuggling. During an action, nine suspects were arrested and nine locations were searched. Eurojust provided financial support and assisted the authorities in setting up a joint investigation team (JIT).

According to the investigations, the OCG had been organising the smuggling of illegal migrants from Vietnam at least since March 2021. The victims were transported through the territories of Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium, to their final destinations, usually France or the United Kingdom.

For this activity, the suspects used their personal motor vehicles and, in some cases, used inflatable motorboats for the final stage of the journey, endangering the victims’ lives.

During an action carried out from 20 to 22 June 2022 in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Belgium, nine people were arrested and seven home searches were carried out, together with two searches of other premises. Several motor vehicles and cash amounting to several hundred thousand Czech crowns were seized.

In addition to supporting the establishment of the JIT and providing it with funding, Eurojust actively facilitated the cross-border judicial cooperation between the national authorities involved. The Agency organised three coordination meetings and a coordination centre during the action.

Europol provided additional analytical support to the investigation, facilitated the exchange of information and supported the law enforcement authorities.

The following authorities took part in the operations:

  • Czech Republic: National Organized Crime Agency, District Public Prosecutor´s Office for Prague 3
  • Belgium: Federaal Parket; Federale Gerechtelijke Politie
  • Germany: Public Prosecutor´s Office Berlin, Joint investigation group of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office and German Federal Police
  • Hungary: National Bureau of Investigation, Metropolitan Chief Prosecution Office

Major operation against migrant smuggling in the English Channel

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Major operation against migrant smuggling in the English Channel

Supported by Eurojust and Europol, judicial and law enforcement authorities in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have dismantled a criminal network suspected of using small boats to smuggle up to 10 000 migrants across the English Channel over the last 12 to 18 months. It is believed to be the biggest ever international operation targeting small boat people smugglers.

During an action day, 39 suspects were arrested and over fifty locations were searched. Seizures include 1 200 lifejackets, close to 150 boats and 50 engines, several thousand euros in cash, firearms and drugs. The operation targeted the leaders of the criminal network, as well as its financial means.

The action dealt a severe blow to one of the most significant crime groups involved in cross-Channel migrant smuggling.

The investigation started in France on 30 November 2021, following the arrest of 16 suspects. It is believed that the organised crime group (OCG) has, among others, facilitated the smuggling of Vietnamese nationals from France to the UK. In order to do this, the criminal network set up a large infrastructure in Calais, France. The investigation showed that migrants were transported from France to the UK in motorised boats delivered from Germany.

The suspects charged on average EUR 2 500 to 3 500 per migrant, depending on the migrant’s nationality, to facilitate their transfer across the English Channel. At times, up to 15 boats were launched almost simultaneously, with half successfully making it across to the UK.

One of the members of the smuggling network was wounded by a gunshot in a migrant camp in France in September 2021. This incident is allegedly linked to a subsequent attempted murder case in Osnabrück, Germany, on 13 November 2021.

In Belgium, several cases of migrant smuggling showed links, and a separate case was started to dismantle the criminal organisation behind the supply chain.

Major simultaneous operation

The action is a result of close cooperation between the five countries involved, supported by Eurojust and Europol. During an action day on 5 July, 39 people were arrested and over fifty searches were carried out simultaneously. 1 200 lifejackets, close to 150 boats and 50 engines, several thousand euros in cash, firearms and drugs were seized. Over 900 police officers were deployed in the operation.

In France, nine suspects were arrested.

In Germany, the Osnabrück Public Prosecutor’s Office simultaneously executed a total of 18 European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and 30 search warrants in four federal states on behalf of the Belgian and French authorities. The 18 suspects arrested by the German police are intended to be extradited and prosecuted in Belgium or France. Around 900 officers of the Federal Police and the Osnabrück Police Directorate participated in the action.

In the UK, six suspects were arrested during a series of raids in London. The National Crime Agency deployed around 50 officers.

In the Netherlands, six suspects were arrested and seven home searches were carried out.

Eurojust set up a coordination centre to enable rapid cooperation between the judicial authorities involved in the action day. Four coordination meetings were hosted by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation and the preparation of the joint action day.

Europol supported the operation by facilitating information exchange, organising operational meetings and providing analytical support.

Intensive cooperation and information exchange

The successful action demonstrates that good results can be achieved through intensive cooperation and information exchange, which is essential to tackling this growing form of human trafficking. The influx of migrants into the European Union is accompanied by degrading human smuggling practices. People smugglers often operate in international criminal organisations and their activities put lives at risk. The risky sea crossings and other forms of transit regularly result in casualties.

Rwanda 28th  Liberation Day Celebration

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Rwanda 28th  Liberation Day Celebration

Together we prosper

By Roy Lie Atjam

The 28th anniversary of Rwanda’s liberation was celebrated on the 4th July 2022 under the theme “Together we prosper”. The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands hosted the Kwibohora 28 celebration with a reception at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague, to pay tribute to Rwandan men and women who contributed to Rwanda’s liberation.

H.E. Ambassador Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, his spouse and the Embassy staffers welcomed more than 150 guests including the diplomatic community, the Ambassadors of Algeria, Angola, Egypte, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, Nigeria, S-Africa,, Australia, Switzerland, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama. Diplomats, Tanzania, UK, Kuwait and many others. Further, representatives of the Dutch government of international organizations, Rwandan nationals living in the Netherlands, Friends of Rwanda.

H.E. Ms Aruni Ranaraja, Ambassador of Sri Lanka.

Featuring on the program:

The Dutch National Anthem – Wilhelmus, followed by the Rwandan National Anthem – Rwanda Nziza.

Video projection (The Rwanda Opportunity)

Keynote address by Mr Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

Remarks by Ms Martine Van Hoogstraten, Acting Head of the Department for Sub-Saharan Africa, at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A traditional dance performance by the group Inkumburwa.

A resume of the keynote address by Ambassador Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and the remarks by Ms Martine Van Hoogstraten follow hereby.

H.E. Mr Hidehisa Horinouchi, Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Nduhungirehe.

Speech Ambassador Nduhungirehe.

“Good afternoon! Let me start by thanking you all for finding time to be with us today to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day. Indeed, the date of 4th July 1994 has a particular resonance in the hearts and minds of Rwandans, as it is the day on which forces of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) stopped the genocide against the Tutsi by overthrowing the regime that was committing it over the previous hundred days.

This year, we also take the opportunity to mark the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Rwanda, which was recovered in 1962 in a very difficult context of crimes against humanity committed against a part of the Rwandan population.

H.E. Mr. Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, Ambassador of Guatemala, the Ambassador of Rwanda and H.E. Mr. Vusimuzi Philemon Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa.

As Ambassador of Rwanda in The Hague, I am also accredited to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as to international organisations and jurisdictions based in The Hague. I value the friendship and growing cooperation between Rwanda and the three Baltic countries, mainly in the areas of digital transformation, fintech and industry, and I also acknowledge the tremendous contribution of institutions based in The Hague to promote accountability for the most serious crimes, including genocide, and to maintain international peace and security.

Ambassador Nduhungirehe welcome H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen.

I thank Mrs Martine Van Hoogstraten, for her presence today and for her statement. Rwanda and the Netherlands have been enjoying a long-lasting relationship, dating to the time when Rwanda was also a kingdom. Indeed, the first contact between the two countries goes as back as 1957 and took place around a glass of beer. That year, the Heineken Group established in Rwanda our national brewery, which became the main producer of beer and soft drinks in our country.

Ambassador Nduhungirehe welcome H.E. Ms. Aiga Liepiņa, Ambassador of Latvia.

Following the Liberation of 4th July 1994, the Netherlands became a reliable partner in our recovery and socio-economic transformation. The Dutch cooperation focused on critical sectors such as justice, agriculture, water resources management, trade and investment, as well as defence. The justice sector, which was obviously a top priority in the aftermath of the genocide against the Tutsi, benefited from an important support from the Netherlands, with the rebuilding, renovation and equipment of courtrooms, the training of judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other professionals of justice, but also with the prosecution, trial and extradition of genocide suspects who had fled to the Netherlands. 

Ambassador Nduhungirehe and the Charge d’affaires of USA, Ms. Aleisha Woodward.

As both countries are now transitioning from aid to trade, we have witnessed an increase of economic exchanges over the past years, mainly export of coffee, tea and horticulture products, including flowers, but also significant investments by Dutch companies in Rwanda.

Beyond the bilateral cooperation, Rwanda and the Netherlands also share common values in the multilateral arena. One of them is an effective peacekeeping that protects civilians in armed conflicts.

As I conclude my remarks, let me call on Mrs Martine Van Hoogstraten to join me, so that we can make a toast:

“To the health of His Majesty King Willem Alexander and to the friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Rwanda”

Ms Martine Van Hoogstraten, Acting Head of the Department for Sub-Saharan Africa, at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mrs Martine Van Hoogstraten

“Rwanda was declared an autonomous republic in 1961 and gained its independence on July 1st 1962.

This is not to say that the country faced no more challenges after 1962. In fact, the following decades proved to be full of turmoil. Ethnic tensions and political struggles went hand in hand, often resulting in violence against civilians. Tragic events eventually culminated in the genocide against the Tutsi of 1994. 

The genocide destroyed the lives of countless Rwandans, including those of moderate Hutus and others who opposed the killings. It remains important to remember those who fell victim to the genocide 28 years ago.

No generation can take peace for granted. The current events in Ukraine sadly underline that point, as do the increasing tensions in Eastern DRC. I am glad to know that Rwanda and its neighbours have committed to keeping channels of dialogue open and to work towards de-escalation of tensions in the Great Laker Region.

Today is a day of hope. Because today, it is 28 years ago since the forces of the Rwandan Patriotic Front put an end to the genocide. Since then, the Rwandan government and its people have done a tremendous job rebuilding their country.

The Netherlands has been one of the major donors supporting the rebuilding of the justice sector in Rwanda. We took on this role because we believe justice and respect for human rights are essential in order to break the cycle of violence that has haunted Rwanda in the past.

The Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Paulo Caminha at his arrival.
Mr. Grigory Orlov Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Russia.

This year, we find ourselves in between two chapters of our common history. Our countries’ bilateral development cooperation will end at the end of this year. That is the chapter we are closing, in line with Rwanda’s goal to become independent of foreign aid. Looking forward, both of our countries will focus on intensifying mutual trade and investments.

The Netherlands is ready for that new chapter. Minister Liesje Schreinemacher presented her new strategy for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation in the Dutch parliament today. The strategy sets clear goals to enhance sustaineble trade.

A traditional dance performance by the group Inkumburwa. Rwanda 28th  Liberation Day Celebration.

A few weeks ago, Minister Schreinemacher had a fruitul meeting with her Rwandan colleague Mr. Vincent Biruta. And from 13 to 18 July, a delegation of 9 members of the Dutch Parliament will visit Rwanda to reflect on our bileral ties. These personal contacts underline that the historical bond that our countries have built in the past is strong.Today, we celebrate that new chapter in our friendship”

A Cocktail reception ended the 2022 Rwanda Liberation Day Celebration.

A Rwanda dancer from group Inkumburwa.

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