Tchaikovsky XL with 100 young musicians in AMARE
International music project with orchestras from Hamburg and The Hague
Over 100 German and Dutch talented young musicians in the age of 15 up to 25
The guests from Hamburg will stay with guest families in The Hague. On the first
Tchaikovsky XL Concert
Les Préludes, Franz Liszt by Viotta SO
The repertoire of the self-selected programs includes a wide range from baroque
The members work with great dedication not only on the music, but also on the
Conductor: Johannes Witt
viotta.nl
The mission of Viotta Youth Orchestras is to stimulate the personal and musical
Sponsors
Ambassadors’ panel on the Alliance of the Pacific held at Leiden University
On the 28th of April, the day on which the Alliance of the Pacific celebrated the 11th anniversary of its creation, the seminar “Alliance of the Pacific: Integrating Latin America and Connecting to the World” was held at the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs of Leiden University, Campus The Hague, in the Netherlands. The objective of this event was to highlight the achievements of this Latin American mechanism, both in terms of regional integration among its members and in terms of trade promotion and projection to the Asia-Pacific region.
The panel was composed by the Ambassadors to the Kingdom of the Netherlands of Chile, HernĂĄn Salinas; Fernando Grillo; Colombia, Mexico, JosĂ© Antonio Zabalgoitia; and Peru, Marisol AgĂŒero Colunga; current members of the Alliance of the Pacific; accompanied by the Ambassador of Ecuador, AndrĂ©s TerĂĄn, as a candidate to Associated State; and the Ambassador of Singapore resident in Brussels, Hong Huai Lim, as the first Associated State.
With the aim of sharing a European perspective and possibilities for collaboration, the Netherlands being one of the 61 Observer States of the mechanism, the panel was also attended by the Director General of the Western Hemisphere Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvette van Eechoud.
This is the first time that an event of this nature has been held, bringing together not only Latin American ambassadors in The Hague, but also a diplomatic representative resident in Belgium and a high-ranking Dutch government official. This shows the scope and relevance of the Alliance of the Pacific in today’s international system, which was also evident during the panelists’ presentations on the Alliance’s achievements, particularly in terms of trade liberalisation and economic promotion, as well as its attractiveness and potential for linkages with other countries in Latin America, Asia and Europe.
The Alliance of the Pacific is an open, pragmatic, and innovative integration mechanism in Latin America. It was formally created on the 11th of April 2011, with the signing of the Lima Declaration, and its Framework Agreement entered into force on the 20th of July 2015. Comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, it has a population of 231 million people and accounts for 41.7% of the GDP of the Latin American and Caribbean region, which would make it the ninth largest economy in the world.
These four countries attract 52.7% of foreign direct investment flows in Latin America and the Caribbean and account for 58.8% of the region’s total trade. With the entry into force of the Additional Protocol to the Framework Agreement on the 1st of May 2016, 92% of trade between its members was liberalised, with the aim of reaching 100% by 2030.
The free trade within the Alliance of the Pacific is 8th to the word economy, 230 millions of people and 56 millions fo tourists.
Among other important highlights we can mention FTA from 0 to 100 % in two years, the visa elimination for business and tourism, an academic mobility of +3,000 students, consular assistance, a shared diplomatic missions and a continuity strategic vision up to 2030
The Ambassador of Peru, H.E. Ms Marisol Aguero Colunga declared: “The four countries of the Alliance together, add up to nearly twenty-one thousand kilometres of continental coastline and the hydrobiological products figures are::
- Peru ranks 5th worldwide in marine capture fisheries,
- Mexico: 17th in the same category
- Chile: 7th in aquaculture; and
- Colombia: 2nd among the megadiverse countries in terms of freshwater fish species
According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and The Caribbean the exports of fishery products from the Alliance represent a total of 7% of world exports. It is important to recall that since the Alliance was established, fishery and aquaculture products have been included within the axis of free circulation of goods.
As a consequence of the evolution that the Group has had over time, last January the countries of the Alliance decided that the group will have some specific functions related to
- aquaculture, conservation and sustainable use of hydrobiological resources
- adoption of circular economy practices
- research and
- human consumption of fishery and aquaculture products” concluded.
The main objectives of the Alliance of the Pacific are to build an area of deep integration to advance the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people; to promote greater economic growth, development and competitiveness within its members; and to become a platform for economic and commercial integration and projection to the world, with emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.
In Memoriam: AntÎnio Cançado Trindade (1947-2022)
Par SE Philippe Couvreur
Ce 29 mai 2022 sâest Ă©teint Ă Brasilia, oĂč il avait longtemps enseignĂ©, AntĂŽnio Cançado Trindade, un illustre intellectuel et juriste, un homme de convictions, dĂ©fenseur infatigable des idĂ©aux les plus nobles, un ĂȘtre dâune profonde bontĂ© dâĂąme et dâune grande simplicitĂ©, un joyeux compagnon et un ami trĂšs cher.
Rien ne pouvait laisser pressentir que cet homme si robuste et dynamique, travailleur acharnĂ©, toujours engagĂ© avec enthousiasme et bonne humeur dans de nouveaux projets, passionnĂ© dâĂ©criture, de livres et de musique (mais aussi, comme maints de ses compatriotes, de football) et dotĂ© dâun sens de lâhumour de tous les instants, allait soudain connaĂźtre, au cours des deux derniĂšres annĂ©es, tant dâĂ©preuves qui, Ă chaque fois surmontĂ©es avec un courage et une sĂ©rĂ©nitĂ© exemplaires, fort de lâappui de sa famille, avaient fini par laisser renaĂźtre tous les espoirs dâun rĂ©tablissement durable et dâune reprise prochaine de ses nombreuses activitĂ©s, jusquâĂ ce que la derniĂšre eĂ»t raison de sa vie, ce triste jour de mai 2022âŠ
HĂ©las, la souffrance humaine, si prĂ©sente dans son oeuvre et quâil avait tant Ă cĆur de soulager, et, en dĂ©finitive, la mort elle-mĂȘme, sont indissociables de la vieâŠ
AntĂŽnio Cançado avait vu le jour Ă Belo Horizonte (BrĂ©sil) en 1947. AprĂšs des Ă©tudes de droit Ă lâUniversitĂ© fĂ©dĂ©rale de Minas Gerais, il sâĂ©tait spĂ©cialisĂ© en droit international Ă lâUniversitĂ© de Cambridge, dont il sortit docteur en 1977 avec une thĂšse trĂšs remarquĂ©e sur la rĂšgle de lâĂ©puisement des voies de recours internes, qui lui valut le prix Yorke. De retour dans son pays natal, il fut dâemblĂ©e nommĂ© professeur titulaire de droit international public Ă lâUniversitĂ© de Brasilia (1978) et au prestigieux Institut diplomatique de Rio Branco (1979), charges quâil conserva jusquâĂ son Ă©lection Ă la Cour internationale de Justice en 2009.
Sa bienveillance naturelle et de son sens aigu de lâhumanisme expliquent sans doute lâintĂ©rĂȘt particulier que le professeur AntĂŽnio Cançado Trindade nourrit presque instantanĂ©ment pour la protection internationale des droits de lâhomme, Ă lâĂ©veil duquel la prĂ©paration de sa thĂšse ne fut assurĂ©ment pas Ă©trangĂšre. Il se convertit rapidement en lâune des plus Ă©minentes autoritĂ©s en la matiĂšre, et, pendant des dĂ©cennies, fut appelĂ© Ă partager son impressionnant savoir, solidement ancrĂ© dans lâhistoire du droit des gens, et ses trĂšs vives aspirations Ă la « rĂ©-humanisation » progressive de ce droit, dans les Ă©tablissements dâenseignement et autres institutions acadĂ©miques (AcadĂ©mie de droit international de la Haye, Institut international des droits de lâhomme de Strasbourg, Institut inter-amĂ©ricain des droits de lâhomme, etc.) les plus en vue du monde. Les honneurs divers quâil y reçut ne se comptĂšrent bientĂŽt plus.
En mĂȘme temps, AntĂŽnio Cançado eut le privilĂšge dâĂȘtre confrontĂ© durant de longues annĂ©es aux rĂ©alitĂ©s exigeantes et aux servitudes multiples de la « politique juridique extĂ©rieure », exerçant des tĂąches aussi variĂ©es que celles de conseiller juridique du ministĂšre des relations extĂ©rieures du BrĂ©sil, reprĂ©sentant du BrĂ©sil Ă maintes confĂ©rences internationales, expert et conseiller de lâOrganisation des Nations Unies, de plusieurs de ses agences et Institutions spĂ©cialisĂ©es, ainsi que de lâOrganisation des Etats amĂ©ricains.
Câest donc fort dâun savoir et dâune expĂ©rience aussi solides que complĂ©mentaires quâil trouva assez naturellement le chemin de la Cour interamĂ©ricaine des droits de lâhomme, dont il fut successivement Juge ad hoc (1990-1994), Juge titulaire (Ă©lu en 1995 et rĂ©Ă©lu en 2000), Vice-PrĂ©sident (Ă©lu en 1997) et enfin PrĂ©sident (Ă©lu en 1999 et rĂ©Ă©lu en 2002). On sait combien cette institution, dâune importance capitale sur le continent amĂ©ricain, le marquaâŠaussi profondĂ©ment quâil allait Ă son tour la marquer.
Les quelque quinze annĂ©es passĂ©es au service de la Cour interamĂ©ricaine, oĂč il se forma au difficile mĂ©tier de magistrat international, lui offrirent lâoccasion dâĆuvrer sans relĂąche, depuis une position unique, Ă la promotion du respect des droits de lâhomme par lâapplication du droit. Il lâa constamment fait avec une totale libertĂ© dâesprit, fidĂšle Ă ses idĂ©aux et en plein accord avec sa conscience dâhomme et de juge, privilĂ©giant invariablement la gĂ©nĂ©rositĂ© des objectifs assignĂ©s Ă la rĂšgle juridique par rapport Ă ses rigiditĂ©s formelles, une rĂšgle quâil sâest toujours Ă©vertuĂ© Ă humaniser, en lâinterprĂ©tant de façon ouverte, dynamique et Ă©volutive, pour lui confĂ©rer un maximum de ce quâil estimait ĂȘtre son effet utile.
Ălu membre de la Cour internationale de Justice en 2009, et rĂ©Ă©lu en 2018, AntĂŽnio Cançado Trindade sây est inscrit dans la lignĂ©e des illustres juristes brĂ©siliens qui lây avaient prĂ©cĂ©dĂ© (Azevedo, Carneiro, Sette-Camara et Rezek); de tous, il fut celui qui siĂ©gea le plus longtemps Ă la Cour. Il lui insuffla un esprit nouveau. La Cour bĂ©nĂ©ficia Ă la fois de son savoir encyclopĂ©dique, qui nâavait dâĂ©gal que sa jovialitĂ© et sa modestie, et de sa vision Ă©minemment progressiste du droit international, qui ne sâen nourrissait pas moins aux sources mĂȘmes de celui-ci, les enseignements de ses pĂšres fondateurs. Elle sâenrichit aussi de son expĂ©rience judiciaire antĂ©rieure. AntĂŽnio Cançado devait toutefois dĂ©sormais exercer ses fonctions de juge dans un cadre assez diffĂ©rent. La Cour internationale de Justice, ouverte aux seuls Etats au contentieux, ne constituait en effet pas une cour des droits de lâhomme, mĂȘme si, avec lâextension progressive du champ dâapplication matĂ©riel du droit international, elle avait Ă©tĂ© amenĂ©e Ă en traiter des aspects chaque fois plus variĂ©s. La prĂ©sence exclusive des Etats devant la Cour, et leur rĂŽle encore frĂ©quemment prĂ©pondĂ©rant dans les relations juridiques internationales, furent pour lui lâobjet de prĂ©occupations et de frustrations constantes.
Que les droits des individus fussent directement ou plus mĂ©diatement en cause dans les affaires quâil eut Ă traiter, le Juge Antonio Cançado, faisant preuve dâune vigilance sans faille, nâa jamais manquĂ© lâoccasion de remettre les intĂ©rĂȘts de la personne humaine – quâil regardait comme sujet plĂ©nier et permanent du droit international – au centre du dĂ©bat, les faisant primer sur ceux des Etats, conformĂ©ment aux exigences de ce quâil dĂ©nommait le « nouveau jus gentium » et au « principe dâhumanitĂ© ». Ce dernier devait selon lui trouver application bien au-delĂ des limites formelles du droit humanitaire et fonder les rĂšgles les plus essentielles de lâordre juridique international, telles celles de lâinterdiction du gĂ©nocide et de la torture ou du droit Ă lâautodĂ©termination des peuples, toutes rĂšgles quâil considĂ©rait relever du jus cogens en vertu dâune opinio juris communis, Ă©manation de la conscience universelle.
Dans les trĂšs nombreuses opinions quâil signa, il nâeut de cesse de militer en faveur dâune « justice objective », propre au droit naturel, et de sâinsurger contre les « effets pervers » du volontarisme Ă©tatique et du formalisme juridique, quâil regardait comme des phĂ©nomĂšnes, non seulement obsolĂštes et toxiques, mais aussi gravement immoraux, dĂšs lors quâils Ă©taient susceptibles de porter atteinte aux droits des personnes (« La Cour ne peut rester indiffĂ©rente âŠau sort des ĂȘtres humains, ainsi quâĂ leurs souffrancesâŠil demeure nĂ©cessaire (pour elle) dâattĂ©nuer (ces) souffrancesâŠ, en faisant en sorte (avant tout) que justice soit faite »). Au « jus voluntarium » sĂ©crĂ©tĂ© par les Etats devait, pour AntĂŽnio Cançado, se substituer le « jus necesarium » dĂ©rivĂ© des valeurs objectives de lâhumanitĂ© toute entiĂšre. Maintes fois, le positivisme juridique, participant Ă son sens dâune « vision myopique du droit », a constituĂ© la cible de ses attaques; il nây voyait rien de moins quâun facteur de « fossilisation du droit international », responsable de son maintien dans un Ă©tat de « sous-dĂ©veloppement ».
Ainsi nâa-t-il pas hĂ©sitĂ© Ă soutenir que le consentement des Etats Ă la juridiction de la Cour devait ĂȘtre interprĂ©tĂ© de maniĂšre Ă donner aux clauses compromissoires insĂ©rĂ©es dans les conventions de protection des droits de lâhomme un effet utile maximal conforme Ă la nature et Ă lâobjet de celles-ci (« La Cour ne peut demeurer lâotage du consentement des Etats »; « la conscience lâemporte sur la volonté ») ou que le droit dâaccĂšs des individus Ă la justice et leur droit Ă un procĂšs Ă©quitable (droits fondamentaux relevant dâun jus cogens quâil regrettait parfois ĂȘtre en voie de « dĂ©construction ») devaient primer sur les immunitĂ©s des Etats (non destinĂ©es Ă leur assurer lâimpunitĂ©) lorsque des violations graves du droit international Ă©taient en cause (« Il est inadmissibleâŠque des Etats prĂ©tendent sâaccorder pour suspendre des droits naturels de la personne humaine »). Dans le mĂȘme esprit, le Juge Cançado sâen est pris Ă certaines « fictions juridiques », aujourdâhui si communes, telles celle de la protection diplomatique (« fiction vattelienne »), insistant sur ce que toute reparatio dans ce cadre devait ĂȘtre « dĂ©terminĂ©e du point de vue des victimes », dĂšs lors que « les ĂȘtres humains – et non les Etats – (devaient) bĂ©nĂ©ficier des rĂ©parations des violations des droits de lâhomme commises Ă leur dĂ©triment ». Dâune maniĂšre plus gĂ©nĂ©rale, lâĂ©minent Juge a par ailleurs frĂ©quemment mis en relief lâimportance de la renaissance dâune « justice rĂ©paratrice » des souffrances de lâhumanitĂ©, quâil appelait de tous ses vĆux.
En dĂ©pit de son activitĂ© judiciaire intense, AntĂŽnio Cançado a rĂ©ussi Ă poursuivre, Ă un rythme soutenu, les activitĂ©s acadĂ©miques et de recherche quâil affectionnait tant, apportant une contribution substantielle aux travaux des nombreuses institutions de prestige dont il Ă©tait membre (telles lâInstitut de Droit international ou lâAcademia brasileira de Letras juridicas) et ne renonçant jamais Ă Ă©crire, au point que lâon peut affirmer sans hĂ©sitation quâil est lâun des auteurs les plus prolifiques de sa gĂ©nĂ©ration (prĂšs de 80 ouvrages et 800 articles ou autres publications).
Tout dĂ©part dâun ĂȘtre cher laisse un vide cruel auprĂšs de ses proches et de ses amis. Celui dâAntĂŽnio Cançado Trindade laissera assurĂ©ment aussi un vide Ă©norme au sein de la communautĂ© universelle des juristes. On doit Ă lâillustre dĂ©funt, parmi tant dâautres Ćuvres, un petit opuscule publiĂ© en 2013 Ă Valence et intitulĂ© « ConversaciĂłn con Antonio Augusto Cançado Trindade. Reflexiones sobre la Justicia Internacional », qui contient ces trĂšs belles paroles:
   « La verdad es que hay una relaciĂłn Ăntima de los vivos con sus muertos, que los         âposmodernosâ, en su pobreza de espĂritu, han dejado de cultivar, sometidos como estĂĄn a la  tiranĂa del âaquĂ â y del âahoraâ. En cambio, las culturas mĂĄs antiguas de AmĂ©rica latina enseñan que nuestros muertos siguen vivos dentro de nosotros, y solo mueren definitivamente el dĂa en que nos olvidamos de ellos ».
Sâil est vrai que la vĂ©ritable mort est lâoubli, lâami AntĂŽnio vivra, car il demeurera longtemps encore prĂ©sent dans nos mĂ©moires.
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The papyrus roll of Qenna: magical spells for the afterlife
Exhibition about an Egyptian âBook of the Deadâ and a large-scale conservation project
A 17-metre-long, 3000-year-old Egyptian papyrus roll full of magic spells, gods and symbols: this is the âBook of the Deadâ of Qenna, a merchant from ancient Egypt. It is the longest papyrus in the collection of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden.
The museum has worked on its conservation for the past three years. Now, for the first time since its purchase in 1835, the colourful manuscript can be seen as a single continuous whole, in the exhibition âThe papyrus roll of Qenna. Magical spells for the afterlife.â Animations and projections bring the colourful images and magical spells to life.
The exhibition also covers themes such as the tomb of Qenna and how a papyrus was made. Special attention is paid to the conservation project and the results of the materiality research that preceded it. The exhibition, which is suitable for young and old, will run from 22 June to 4 September 2022.
Tickets can be purchased from www.rmo.nl (advance reservation is not obligatory).
Caspar Reuvens, the first director of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, bought the 17-metre-long Book of the Dead at auction in London in 1835.
Soon afterwards, the papyrus was cut into 38 manageable sheets â a common practice in those days. Only some of those sheets have ever been on display. The summer exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see this special Book of the Dead in its entirety.
Magical spells for the afterlife
The âBook of the Deadâ was found in the western hills of Luxor. The papyrus lay folded over the mummified body of an Egyptian merchant called Qenna, who had lived around 1300-1275 BC.
Like everyone in ancient Egypt, Qenna hoped that after death he would live an immortal life with the gods in the hereafter. For that reason, his body was mummified and a papyrus roll containing 40 magical spells was placed in his tomb. The spells were meant to help him endure trials in the underworld, protect him against monsters, and transform him into a powerful immortal being.
The exhibition follows Qenna in this metamorphosis, and introduces visitors to the stories, spells, gods and symbols. Their meaning is explained from right to left, the direction in which the papyrus should be read: from the veneration of the gods and the Lake of Fire, to the divine tribunal and the weighing of Qennaâs heart. To prove he had lived a good life, his heart could not be heavier than an ostrich feather. A magical spell invokes the god Thot to come to Qennaâs aid.
The text of the papyrus begins with the daily cycle of the sun in the form of the sun god Re, who is re-born every morning on the horizon. Each night, the sun unites with the god Osiris in the realm of the dead âlike Qenna himself hopes to do. Thanks to the papyrus, Qenna knows the names of all the monstrous overseers and gatekeepers he will encounter. Qenna will only be allowed to pass safely if he utters the right names. There are also spells to defeat dangerous creatures, such as the four crocodiles who threaten to take away his magical powers, and the snake Apep, the deadliest enemy of the sun god Re. At the end of the papyrus, Qenna is able to begin his eternal life in the hereafter. The Book of the Dead concludes with his tomb in the western mountains, where the arms of the goddess Hathor push the sun over the horizon each morning, symbolising a new beginning.
Conservation and research
Although the papyrus sheets were repaired several times in the past 200 years, the glue and layers of paper from older restorations were themselves causing damage. During a large-scale conservation project (2018-2022), as much as possible of the older repair material was removed. New additions were kept to a minimum, so that as much of the original papyrus as possible could be displayed. All of the small, loose bits of papyrus and pigment were re-attached, and each sheet was finally mounted between two new plates of glass. This will protect the sheets properly and they can be viewed from both sides.
All of the sheets were examined in detail by a team of conservators, curators, scientists and photographers. This was necessary to establish the condition of the papyrus and all of the old restorations, and to find out more about how the Book of the Dead was made. Techniques such as microscopic research and photography with ultraviolet and infrared light were used to analyse the various papyrus layers, ink, pigments and old repairs.
The research and the conservation of the papyrus were made possible by a financial contribution from the Rembrandt Association and the associationâs Van der Klaauw Fund. The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden is supported by the Vriendenloterij.
âThe papyrus roll of Qenna. Magical spells for the afterlifeâ, 22 Juneâ4 September 2022
Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability – New Perspectives
The Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability (IIJS) to Present New Perspectives in Building Bridges Between the Public and Private Sector in Order to Achieve Sustainable Development.
The Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability, located in Washington, D.C, will present today new perspectives to contribute to sustainable development in cooperation with some of the principal stakeholders, from the public as well as private sectores, who will assume a central role in accelerating the transition to a green economy.
The presentation of these innovative proposals with hemispheric collaboration will take place on May 26th, 2022 in the capital of the United States of America, within the framework of the official in-person launch of IIJS.
We must remember that IIJS, an organization led by women with a unique differentiated gender perspective, arose just before the pandemic as an “Institutional Startup,” a new model of social entrepreneurship, that is, in essence, private but with a public interest socioenvironmental mission. IIJS is a hemispheric platform with a global reach, with specific experience in countries. As its slogan states, the focus of this international Startup is grounded in bridging justice, sustainability, and prosperity.
This proposal highlights the development of cutting-edge solutions for nonconventional challenges that are not only related to sustainability and justice, but offers transversality across all sectors, supported by experience, and focused on the innovation and knowledge of different political socioeconomic contexts in the hemisphere.
In times of fast paced emerging and evolving challenges in environment, climate, health, economic and social wellbeing, its mission to strengthen the rule of law and good governance is all the more important.
The IIJS provides expertise, strategic technical policy assistance, and facilitates capacity building programs.
The IIJS brings together key justice system stakeholders, country institutions, multilateral and regional financial development institutions, and the private sector as partners and allies to promote efforts for justice and sustainability in the Americas.
The IIJS is pledging to support multi-stakeholdersâ efforts and roles on environmental and climate justice, as well as on the sustainability of business, development, trade, and investment practices which are critical for human rights, as well as environmental and social compliance in the Americas.
On this formal launching — postpandemic, that is– after two years of arduous work, the Executive Director of IIJS, Claudia S. de Windt, highlights that “IIJS is born out of the necessity for concertation and innovative approaches to end the fragmentation through certainty and sustainability to confront the scenarios of today and of the future.”
Alongside the Executive Director de Windt, two founding partners of the Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability will participate, Sheila Abed and MarĂa Amparo AlbĂĄn, experts in environmental law, who will lay out the challenges in an agenda of integration in pursuit of environmental justice.
Additional attendees will include Gustavo AlanĂs-Ortega, founder and Executive Director of the Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (Mexican Environmental Law CenterâCEMDA), member of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) and the Climate Change Advisory Committee in Mexico, Francisco Naranjo, Director of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil- RSPO and the Vice President of Technology and Innovation of Sherritt International, Nathan Stubina, along with other international stakeholders.
Highlighted Ex-Officio members include Scott Fulton, President of the Environmental Law Institute and Ricardo Lorenzetti, ex-president and current minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina.
For more information www.ii-js.org
ICC holds high-level regional conference on cooperation and complementarity in Senegal
From 23 to 25 May 2022, the International Criminal Court (ICC or the Court), in close cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Senegal, held a regional conference in Dakar, Senegal. The conference gathered more than 190 participants who discussed the strengthening of the international criminal justice system and the fight against impunity through cooperation between the Court and States. Discussions emphasised the importance of collective efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the principle of complementarity, with a particular focus on States from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Conference participants included Ministers of Justice and other senior officials of 15Â ECOWAS Member States, Republic of Chad and Central African Republic, and high Senegalese officials, Representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Senegalese Bar, Academia, Civil Society and Journalists. In particular, the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of Senegal, H.E. Malick Sall, the President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) Silvia FernĂĄndez de Gurmendi, the ICC President Judge Piotr HofmaĆski, the ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims Ibrahim Sorie Yillah, and the President of the International Criminal Court Bar Association Jennifer Naouri took part in the event.
During the opening of the conference, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of Senegal H.E. Malick Sall declared: “The Court derives its legitimacy, in fact, from the confidence placed in it by the States Parties, from the mandate which they have conferred upon it and from the support which they would like to provide to it, for the processing, by it, of any facts subject to its jurisdiction. ⊠The effectiveness or the success of the Court depends on the respect by the latter, just as by the States parties, of the statutory provisions which govern their relations, but also and above all of the will of each of our countries to play their part in the delivery of criminal justice at the national level. All in all, the ICC cannot act without the cooperation of States, which have the monopoly of the police, and without which the identification and appearance of the accused, as well as of victims and witnesses, would be unlikely.”
Addressing the opening session of the conference, ASP President Silvia FernĂĄndez de Gurmendi expressed the gratitude of the Court to the Republic of Senegal for its hospitality and for accepting to host the conference. She stated: âWe observe a growing interest in justice and the proliferation of a number of mechanisms and initiatives to achieve it. We are thus witnessing the emergence of a global system of justice, in which courts acting at different levels have a role to play, sometimes a central role, sometimes a complementary or supporting role. The ICC has proven that it can play all of these roles effectively.â
ICC President Judge Piotr HofmaĆski said: “Regardless of the continent and regardless of the nationality of the victims or the perpetrators, the ICCâs mandate and purpose remains the same: to fight against impunity for the most serious atrocity crimes. We strive for accountability. We strive to provide justice to victims. And we strive to prevent future crimes. But the ICC cannot do any of this alone. That is why this conference is so important. It is an opportunity to draw best practices and lessons-learned, and to discuss what we can do to enhance the cooperation in our joint quest for justice.”
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang thanked Senegal for hosting the Conference and stated: âEngaging in a frank dialogue with Africa is at the heart of Prosecutor Khanâs vision, in order to strengthen cooperation with African States within the framework of dynamic complementarity and effective cooperation. The Rome Statute is a court of last resort and national courts must have primacy. If sub-regional or regional judicial bodies can play a part, this option should be encouraged. In short, yes to complementarity but yes, above all, to positive complementarity; one where the ICC contributes to building the capacities of national authorities and is in constant communication with them to reduce as much as possible the impunity gap.â
Representing ICC Registrar Peter Lewis, Nouhoum SangarĂ©, Chief of ICC Offices in CĂŽte dâIvoire and Mali, highlighted the importance for the Court to secure cooperation agreements, including on relocation of witnesses, enforcement of sentences, and on asset recovery which are areas where cooperation and complementarity should be further enhanced.
Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims Ibrahim Sorie Yillah said: âThe creation of the Trust Fund for Victims in the Rome Statute is an unprecedented message of the international community’s ambition to redress the harm suffered by victims of armed conflict. Cooperation and complementarity are needed to provide justice for victims. The implementation of reparations for crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction is still new. Africa also needs to take financial engagement for reparation programmes to victims on the continent. Let us together make them a meaningful reality for victimsâ.
The Court renews its gratitude to the Republic of Senegal, the European Commission, and the Republic of France for their generous financial contribution and support to this conference. Senegal was the first country in the world to ratify the Rome Statute, the ICCâs founding treaty, and has also later played a significant role in advancing international criminal justice, inter alia by hosting the Extraordinary African Chambers in 2017. Currently, Senegal is co-facilitator on cooperation in the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, together with France.
This event forms part of efforts to further advance cooperation and complementarity between States, the Court and its partners. Experience from similar events that took place in other regions of Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific has demonstrated that ICC regional seminars are key forum to enhance global support for the Court and international criminal justice more broadly. They also create a space of dialogue aiming at promoting and strengthening cooperation, and to advance the fight against impunity for Rome Statute crimes, and other serious and related crimes.
MEPâs want a special international tribunal for crimes of aggression
The special international tribunal should investigate Russian leaders and military commanders and their allies for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, Plenary session AFET.
By European Parliament
EU Reporter (23.05.2022) – https://bit.ly/3lE9Yr5 – In the resolution adopted on 19 May, Parliament calls on the EU to take all necessary action in international proceedings and courts to support the prosecution of the Russian and Belarussian regimes for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. These investigations and consequent prosecutions should also apply to all Russian armed forces personnel and government officials involved in war crimes, MEPs ask.
The resolution on the fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine was adopted by show of hands.
A special international tribunal
The adopted text asks the EU to support setting up a special international tribunal to punish the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine, for which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction, and hold Russian political leaders and military commanders and those of its allies to account.
MEPs also want the EU to provide, as soon as possible, all the necessary human and budgetary resources and administrative, investigative and logistical support needed to establish this tribunal.
According to the EP, reported atrocities such as indiscriminate shelling of cities and towns, forced deportations, use of banned ammunition, attacks against civilians fleeing via pre-agreed humanitarian corridors, executions and sexual violence amount to violations of international humanitarian law. They may qualify as war crimes, say MEPs, stressing that all of them have so far gone unprosecuted.
Act swiftly
MEPs stress that the EU must take action swiftly, since there is a grave risk that, due to the ongoing hostilities, evidence related to war crimes is being destroyed.
They express their full support for the investigation by the ICC Prosecutor and the work of the Commission of Inquiry of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as independent civil society organisations and Ukrainian authorities working to collect evidence.
MEPs welcome the joint investigative team being set up by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, which is coordinated by the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation Eurojust, and in which the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC will participate, and encourage other member states to join this team.
Photo credits: AFP
Foreign Minister of Cameroon visits CFC
11 May, Amsterdam – “The people and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon are committed to provide the best possible support and services to the hard-working farmers and smallholders for greater diversification of their agri and other commodities. Cameroon expects that CFC will have a much bigger footprint in Cameroon in the future for smallholders and SMEs to enhance their productions and to transform their production through value addition and to conserve their nature in a bio-friendly way.”
H.E. Mr. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister of External Relations of Cameroon, stated the above when he was addressing the staff members of and its Managing Director Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal at the CFC secretariat.
Cameroon Minister of External Relations expressed his utmost satisfaction at the current state of affairs of CFC. He also expressed his desire for a much expanded CFC as the world needs organizations like CFC to help smallholders/SMEs to enhance their income so that they can lift themselves from the poverty.
Elaborating on widespread socio-economic development programme in his country, Minister Mbella Mbella highlighted the importance of education and capacity building so that youthful nations like Cameroon could duly take advantage of their demographic dividend.
In response to a powerpoint presentation on the activities and future plans of CFC, Minister Mbella Mbella expressed his and his countryâs unequivocal support for a much expanded and more active CFC.
Terming poverty as a curse, Minister Mbella Mbella stated that no human being deserved to be in poverty. He added that if we consider ourselves as good human being, we should not tolerate for a minute the incidence of poverty and thereby upheld the dignity of human being. Human dignity should not be a matter of negotiation, it should be non-negotiable, the Minister added.
Welcoming the Minister, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the CFC, briefed the Minister about the enormity of challenges for organizations like CFC as supply of resources is so little compared to the high demand for CFCâs services. Ambassador Belal stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we can no longer treat seemingly far away crisis as distance problem.
What happens anywhere can affect people everywhere. This is why poverty alleviation has remained. the number one goal in the development of sustainable journey. Ambassador Belal urged Minister Mbella Mbella to consider working for a global fund for smallholders and SMEs in Africa. Such fund should be aimed at, what the Minister proposed to bring better productivity, better transformation through value addition and conservation of commodities in a bio-friendly way.
Expressing his satisfaction for the global decision of US$ 650 million allocation for SDRs to which his country Cameroon is also a signatory, Ambassador Belal urged Minister Mbella Mbella to make use of SDRs for the proposed fund for African smallholders and SMEs. In response, the Minister expressed his agreement to the proposal and stated that without proper support and finance the smallholders and SMEs cannot expect to grow.
Before taking leave, Minister Mbella Mbella also assured the Managing Director that he will report to his Hierarchy to see how Cameroon could make voluntary contribution to the CFC Fund.
The Minister was accompanied by H.E. Ms. Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua, Ambassador of Cameroon to the Netherlands, Mr. Aurelien Eteki Nkongo, Director of European Affairs, Mr. Ahoudou Garba, Director of Communications, and Ms. Paula Nadege Ngo Song, Attaché at the Private Office, Office of the Minister of External Relations, while Ambassador Belal was accompanied by Mr. Nicolaus Cromme, Chief Operations Officer a.i., Mr. Hector Besong, Portfolio and Risk Manager, and Mr. Peter Nielsen, Project Manager.
The Arts Society The Hague 30th Anniversary Celebration
By Elizabeth Naumczyk
It is not often that one can enjoy an outstanding musical concert and reception at one of the most magnificent Diplomatic Residences in The Hague. On the evening of Wednesday May 11th a Special Event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Arts Society The Hague was held at the Residence of the British Ambassador to The Netherlands HE Joanna Roper CMG.
Her Excellency, is also Patron of The Arts Society The Hague. The choice of venue consolidated a long standing tradition where the Arts Society also held its 20th and 25th anniversaries.
After warmly welcoming the guests to her imposing Residence, HE Ambassador Joanna Roper handed over the proceedings to the Chairman of the Society, HE Mr Andrea Perugini (former Italian Ambassador to The Netherlands 2016-2020}. Mr Perugini outlined the history of The Arts Society The Hague which is affiliated to The Arts Society UK. The Arts Society UK is a leading non-profit Arts and Culture Organization with over 380 affiliated societies and almost 80,000 members worldwide, bringing people together through a shared interest in the Arts.
The Arts Society The Hague founded in 1991 (formerly known as The Decorative and Fine Arts Society of The Hague) has brought together and informed the community through many years of cultural activities delivered by experts in many fields. It is one of the most active affiliated societies and is proud to be fourth out of fifteen in Mainland Europe in terms of membership numbers.
To celebrate this occasion 60 guests were privileged to listen to a special non stop performance of over an hour by the renowned Dutch Baroque Music Ensemble, âLe Nuove Musicheâ, very eloquently introduced and skillfully directed by Maestro Krijn Koetsveld at the harpsichord, with the participation of Soprano Margreet Rietveld and Tenor Falco van Loon.
The music in the recital spans the later Renaissance and Baroque stylistic era and was absolutely captivating.
Maestro Koetsveld played on his own copy of a 1640 Harpsichord. After an opening piece by Giulio Caccini (1551-1618) Amarilli mia bella the programme included John Dowland (1563 1618), Come again, followed by Maestro Koetsveld playing solo on the harpsichord the Pavana Lachrimae again by John Downland set by William Byrd (1543-1623). It then focused on Henry Purcell (1659-1695), one of Britainâs best composers, with both singers performing Music for a while and My dearest, my fairest. Falco van Loon performed Evening Hymn while Sweeter than Roses was sang by Margreet Rietveld.
Pieces by Henry Lawes (1596-1662), Georg Friedrich HĂ€ndelâs (1685-1759) and the Sound the trumpet by Henry Purcell were also played. The final notes were from Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) Pur ti miro, bringing together all three performers for this most beautiful love duet created on the harpsichord, a simple base with all kinds of variations.
A reception followed with canapĂ©s prepared by Chef Roberto Illari, who just started working for the five star Hotel de lâEurope in Amsterdam, together with wine and refreshments courtesy of the British Embassy.
The Chairman of the Society, Andrea Perugini also promoted the various lectures and activities that the Arts Society The Hague will offer for the 2022/23 Season (see https://theartssociety.org/the-hague ). He said in particular: âWe organize â Live and via Zoom â eight one-hour lectures during the course of a season (October to May) in our main venue, the Warenar Cultural Centre, Wassenaar, where we can host over 200 people at a time. In addition the Society organizes Special Events, Lectures with local and foreign speakers and visits to Museums and exclusive guided tours.
Our Lectures are captivating and stimulating events where expert lecturers, academicians,
researchers, historians, museum curators and art experts share their specialist knowledge and passion on a wide range of subjects – from music to architecture, from fashion to craftsmanship, from archaeology to glassware, from visual arts to history, from ancient traditions to photography, from historical cities to lost civilisations.â
We can all agree with him that the Arts and Culture promote better mutual understanding and connectivity between peoples and act as a major instrument of peace and dialogue enriching everyoneâs lives. We wish The Arts Society The Hague continued success and valued contribution to the cultural life of The Hague and its outreach to the wider community via Zoom.
New investigations on core international crimes increase by 44% since 2016Â
The Hague, 23 May 2022
Investigations and prosecutions of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes (known collectively as core international crimes) have steadily risen within the European Union since 2016. A total of 1 547 new cases were opened in 2021, compared with 1 073 in 2016, which represents a 44% increase. In 2021, 3 171 cases were ongoing across all Member States.
This trend can be attributed, in part, to the escalation of conflicts and grave human rights violations near EU borders (most recently in Ukraine, Belarus and Syria), leading to an influx of refugees into Member States. The higher level of expertise now available among national authorities also explains the increase in investigations.
Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran said: âThe EU Day Against Impunity serves to remind us of core international crimes that so far have been left unanswered and to strengthen our collective efforts in getting justice done. It leads Eurojust to work with prosecutors and investigators in different corners of the world, who count on our partnership and support. This is the front line of justice, and a cornerstone in protecting the rule of law against core international crimes going unpunished.â
European Commission for Justice Mr Didier Reynders stated: âIn the current situation, we must recognise that peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted.With âwarâ, often come âwar crimesâ, which violate the most fundamental laws of international order. We must defend these laws at any cost because the consequences for the victims, and humanity, are too grave to accept.â
In addition to European Commissioner Mr Reynders and Eurojust President Mr Hamran, the French Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Luis Vassy, and a panel of expert practitioners from Member States and civil society participated in the event. Mr MatevĆŸ Pezdirc, Head of the Genocide Network Secretariat, moderated and closed the event.
Experience has shown that Member States that have established specialised investigative and prosecution units have been increasingly successful in bringing cases to trial and securing convictions for core international crimes. This is explained by the fact that specialised staff are uniquely trained to handle specific challenges of this crime area and able to act proactively in opening new cases.
However, the establishment of such specialised units remains limited. As of May 2022, only six Member States have established fully independent specialised units within prosecution services and/or law enforcement services.
In addition, national authorities face other challenges including legislative gaps that hinder the full prosecution of crimes, the exercise of extra-territorial (universal) jurisdiction, as well as international judicial cooperation or mutual legal assistance.
Eurojust and the Genocide Network support national authorities in their investigations and prosecutions of core international crimes. Together, they serve as a central hub for the exchange of information and expertise. Since the addition of core international crimes to Eurojustâs portfolio in 2019, the number of cases supported by the Agency has gradually increased. In 2021, Eurojust supported seven new cases, with nine ongoing cases from previous years, and one joint investigation team (JIT). As of May 2022, Eurojust has supported three JITs in relation to core international crimes.
The main achievements and shortcomings of the EU judicial response to core international crimes can be found in the report 20 years on: Main developments in the fight against impunity for core international crimes in the EU, published today by the Genocide Network Secretariat. A factsheet that outlines the key factors for successful investigations and prosecutions of core international crimes has also been published.
The EU Day Against Impunity is an annual event aiming to raise awareness of the most heinous crimes â the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. This initiative promotes national investigations and prosecutions, recognises the common efforts of the EU and Member States in enforcing international criminal law, addresses the position and participation of victims in criminal proceedings for these crimes, and reinvigorates the Europe-wide commitment to the fight against impunity.
The âEuropean Network of contact points in respect of persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimesâ (the âGenocide Networkâ) was established by the Council of the EU in 2002 to ensure close cooperation between national authorities in investigating and prosecuting the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Genocide Network facilitates the exchange of information among practitioners, encourages cooperation between national authorities in different Member States, and provides a forum for sharing knowledge and best practices. The Genocide Network is supported in its work through its Secretariat, based at Eurojust in The Hague, the Netherlands.