ICC Prosecutor, opens an investigation into the Situation in Venezuela

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ICC Prosecutor, opens an investigation into the Situation in Venezuela

ICC Prosecutor, Mr Karim A.A. Khan QC, opens an investigation into  the Situation in Venezuela and concludes Memorandum of Understanding with the Government

I have just returned to The Hague from a productive mission to Caracas, in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Between 31 October 2021 to 3 November 2021, I held constructive and candid discussions with senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society.

I express my gratitude to the authorities of Venezuela for their official invitation and for engaging with my delegation and myself in what was a short but meaningful schedule. As far as Government officials are concerned, my delegation and I met multiple times with the Vice-President and also with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic. In addition, we held meetings with the Attorney General, the President of the Supreme Tribunal, the Ombudsman, the President of the National Assembly and other State Officials.

It was particularly notable that the President of the Republic, H.E. Mr Nicolás Maduro Moros engaged with me directly over three days in meetings totalling almost 10 hours. Whilst the discussions were candid, they were at all times courteous and conducted in a constructive spirit. I extend my thanks to the President, other officials and stakeholders for engaging with my delegation and I in this manner throughout our visit.

Since assuming office as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), I have been reviewing the assessment reached under my predecessor, while also continuing to seek a meaningful dialogue with the Venezuelan authorities in order to maintain and deepen cooperation as envisaged under the Rome Statute.

Venezuela ratified the Rome Statute on 7 June 2000, and has since been a State Party. The Office of the Prosecutor (“the Office”) opened a preliminary examination into the Situation in Venezuela  in February 2018.  A few months later, on 27 September 2018, the Office received a referral from a group of States Parties to the Rome Statute requesting the  initiation of an investigation for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the territory of Venezuela.

As I have repeatedly stated, preliminary examinations should not go on for inordinately long periods of time, and must come to a conclusion as soon as the criteria under the Rome Statute have been properly assessed on the basis of the best information available.

There are  sometimes misunderstandings as to what a preliminary examination is – and what it is not. It is, therefore, important to underline that the preliminary examination process is a filtering mechanism. No investigations have, as yet, been conducted in Venezuela by my Office. There are no targets or suspects at this stage of the proceedings. It is only through opening a formal investigation, however, that the truth can be determined. In this regard, I emphasised in my various meetings in Caracas, that article 54(1)(a) of the Rome Statute requires my Office to investigate incriminating and exculpatory circumstances equally in order to establish the truth.

The investigation – now opened – is not a one-way road. It is only the start of a process.

The Government of Venezuela was of the view that the conditions for an investigation have not been met. Despite this, I consider it to their great credit that they have committed to co-operate with my Office as we move to this new stage. I have been invited back to Venezuela as have members of my Office. In parallel with the investigation we will now commence, I will continue to look for meaningful ways to cooperate and engage with the authorities and all other stakeholders in the search for the truth. 

My Office will support any  sincere and meaningful effort undertaken by the Venezuelan Government to reform and revitalise the justice and penal system in order to enable genuine accountability in Venezuela for the victims of alleged crimes. The principle of complementarity is the foundation of the Rome Statute system and it remains an important principle during the investigation stage. 

Evidence of the constructive and sustained level of engagement with the Venezuelan authorities during my time in Caracas finds form in the joint signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 3 November 2021, at the Presidential Palace. This MoU sets the stage for sustained dialogue and cooperation as we move to the next phase in this situation.

As the MoU makes clear and as I have stated publicly, the preliminary examination into the Situation in Venezuela (Venezuela I) has come to a close following a thorough and independent process with a finding that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation. 

Mr Karim A.A. Khan QC, ICC Prosecutor and H.E. Mr Nicolás Maduro Moros, President of Venezuela at the signing ceremony of the MoU on Wednesday, 3 November 2021

I am  reassured and pleased that by signing this MOU, Venezuela and my Office are committed to working collaboratively, while also independently and impartially, but with full regard to the principle of complementarity, and to pursue cooperation and mutual assistance. This is the best way to promote the values and principles of the Rome Statute.

Lastly, whilst we are not unaware of the political discourse and fault lines in Venezuela or of the regional context, it is important that space be given to my Office to do its work. We will do our work independently and devoid of any political agenda. We work as officers of the Court pursuant to the values and principles of the Rome Statute.  As I have previously stated, we will take a rather dim view of any attempt to use the opening of the investigation for political gain or to politicise the independent work of my Office.

We must be principled enough to encourage and support any individual or authority that moves closer to the law and the principles of the Rome Statute. In the end, with patience, cooperation and determined professionalism, the truth will be established. I request patience and support whilst this process now progresses in its next stage.

Judge Theodor Meron steps down

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Judge Theodor Meron steps down

Judge Meron steps down from Judicial Roster of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Arusha, The Hague, 5 November 2021 – Judge Theodor Meron has informed the Secretary-General of the United Nations, through President Carmel Agius, of his intention to resign from the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) as of 17 November 2021, which marks two decades from the commencement of his first term as a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).


From 2001, Judge Meron served on the Appeals Chamber of both the ICTY and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) until the closure of these Tribunals. He has also been a Judge of the Mechanism since it commenced operating in 2012. Judge Meron’s long and distinguished service includes four terms as President of the ICTY and three terms as President of the Mechanism.

In the latter capacity, he oversaw the initial stages of the Mechanism’s lifespan and played a significant role in ensuring that the institution remained small and efficient. During his time at the ICTY and the Mechanism, Judge Meron has been instrumental in establishing substantive and procedural jurisprudence in the area of international criminal law, including in relation to the development of principles of fairness and judicial independence as key foundations for criminal justice.

Reflecting on Judge Meron’s upcoming departure, President Agius has stated that: “Throughout his career as both a judge and a leading scholar, Judge Meron has displayed an unwavering commitment to the advancement of international criminal justice. He will be missed at the Mechanism.” President Agius and the Mechanism express deep appreciation to Judge Meron for his dedicated service over the last twenty years, and wish him all the best for the future.

An Italian hero, Pacifico Marchesini

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An Italian hero, Pacifico Marchesini

By John Dunkelgrün

It isn’t usual for a columnist to write about his own family, but then, this isn’t a usual case. Pacifico Marchesini came from a distinguished Italian family. His father, the Cavaliere Libero Marchesini was honored with high decorations both by the Italian and Dutch governments.

Pacifico, who was brought up in the Netherlands, worked at the Italian embassy as a local-staff member when the war started. He had many friends, quite a few of them Jewish, and he was particularly close to my father, Jopi Dunkelgrün.

While originally pro-Mussolini his family, like many Italians, abhorred the nazi racial theories. When his friend Jopi asked him in June 1942 for help with papers that would enable him and his family to escape, he immediately offered to drive them from The Hague to Antwerp. This was one of the most dangerous parts of the journey to safety, as the big rivers that cross the South of the country, had only a few bridges at the time, bridges that were strictly and easily controlled.

Mr Bino Marchesini

Eleven people from my father’s family, as well as my cousin’s fiancé with his parents and sister, decided to try to escape. This was too many to take at one time. Pacifico, with the help of the ambassador’s chauffeur and his father (who also worked at the embassy), arranged to ‘borrow’ the ambassador’s official car on Saturdays. He would try to get back the same day, but if there would be some delay, he would have the Sunday as a margin. On Monday morning the car was always needed by the ambassador.

To be on the safe side Pacifico decided to make a trial run with his brother Lorenzo on June 27th, 1942. When this went without a hitch, on the following three Saturdays and then on Sunday, July 26th, he took parts of the group to Antwerp. Or rather, he took them to a quiet place on the Belgian border, where they crossed on foot, while he went through the official border crossing and then picked them up again on the Belgian side.

Once a German guard, who didn’t recognize the diplomatic signs on the car, challenged him and after showing the man various Dutch and Italian official-looking documents, he got through on … his Dutch driver’s license. All fifteen made it safely to Antwerp, but sadly four did not reach the safety of Switzerland. They were arrested and murdered a Auschwitz.

On September 16th, 1943 the Marchesini family together with other embassy and consulate personnel who refused to take a loyalty oath were interned in a hotel in Baarn and in December taken to Italy in horrible conditions.

The Marchesini sat out the war in Budrio, the birthplace of Libero Marchesini. After the war Pacifico returned to the Netherland, he startd work at the Italian embassy again, married, and had two sons. His friendship with my father lasted until Pacifico died in 1968.

On October 4th, 2021 Pacifico Marchesini posthumously received the Yad Vashem award of ’Righteous among the Nations’, the highest award of the State of Israel, given to non-Jews who during the Shoa saved or tried to save their Jewish fellow-men.

The ceremony was held in the beautiful early 18th-century synagogue of the Liberal Jewish community in The Hague, which was originally the Portuguese Jewish ‘Esnoga’. There were many moving speeches by the two still living survivors, and by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of survivors. The combined offspring of the eleven survivors, living on three continents, would have more than filled the synagogue, had they all come.

The honour group.

The ambassador of Italy, H.E. Sr. Giorgio Novello gave a particularly moving speech, recalling a very nasty incident not too long ago, when he was verbally abused and physically molested, by some hoodlums, just because he is heavily challenged in his body movements and needs a wheelchair. He was shocked to the bone by this temporary loss of security, of his dignity, but realized now how much less this personal drama was as compared to the situation where on account of nothing more than discrimination, people were and are faced every day with a worse loss of dignity and safety than befell him.

Anna Trombetta.

The award was presented to the son of Pacifico, Mr. Bino Marchesini, and the ceremony lightened by the bewitching voice of Anna Trombetta. It was a fitting tribute to a man through whose courage and initiative, well over one hundred people are alive today.

Photography by Mr. Ido Menco

Joint Ministerial Statement of Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries + Russia

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Joint Ministerial Statement of Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries + Russia

27 October 2021 – Tehran

The Foreign Ministers of the Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan, including Islamic Republic of Iran, People’s Republic of China, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan + the Russian Federation, held a meeting in Tehran on 27 October 2021.

The meeting was inaugurated by His Excellency Mohammad Mokhber, the Vice- president of the Islamic Republic of Iran who gave a comprehensive speech on Afghanistan situation. The video message by His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres the Secretary General of the United Nations was then screened in the opening.

Next, the honored foreign ministers gave their speeches on Afghanistan concerned matters. The meeting was then closed by approving the ministerial joint statement. Following the talks and discussions in an atmosphere of confidence, multilateral understanding and constructive approach,

The Foreign Ministers:
− Noting that situation in Afghanistan has changed fundamentally and stressing support for the national sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and non-interference in its internal affairs;

− Recalling the universally accepted principles of international law in particular the Afghan people’s right to decide on their own future independently, and respecting the aspiration of the Afghan people for realizing durable peace, hope to see an Afghanistan enjoying stability, development, prosperity and harmonious relations with its neighboring countries;−  Expressing deep concern over complicated security, governance, socio- economic, humanitarian situation in Afghanistan;

−  Agreeing that countries primarily responsible for the difficulties in Afghanistan should earnestly deliver on their commitment, and provide Afghanistan with urgently needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to help realize a stable transition of the situation in Afghanistan;

−  Noting that an inclusive and broad-based political structure with the participation of all ethno-political groups is the only solution to Afghanistan issues;

−  Expressing the strong support of neighboring countries of Afghanistan to achieve peace, stability and national reconciliation in the country and encouraging all parties, including Taliban to continue political dialogue and consultations for the solution of the outstanding issues, and future development of the nation;

−  Emphasizing that international and regional organizations in particular the United Nations agencies and relevant members of the UN Security Council should abide by their responsibility for political settlement of Afghanistan issues, rendering support to Afghans to develop the socio-economic infrastructure and providing economic and humanitarian assistance;

−  Taking with great concern into consideration the deteriorating economic situation in Afghanistan and urging the international community to provide humanitarian assistance on urgent basis;

−  Condemning with strongest term the terrorist attacks in all shapes and forms including those against ethnic and religious groups particularly the recent terrorist attacks on mosques;

Declare the followings:

  1. Support a durable and realistic settlement of differences through dialogue and negotiation among relevant parties for achieving national reconciliation, lasting political solution and formation of an inclusive government;
  2. Call on the relevant Afghan parties to implement modest and prudent internal and external policies, return to the normal order of the society as soon as possible, realize the effective operation of government agencies, provide basic public services to people, take actions to improve people’s livelihood and protect the fundamental rights of ethnic groups, women and children in Afghanistan;
  3. Take note the assurances and commitments of relevant responsible Afghan parties to the international community that the territory of Afghanistan will not pose any threats to the neighboring countries and will not be used by criminal, terrorist and separatist groups, and cut ties with all kinds of terrorist groups, strike and eliminate them in a decisive manner;
  4. Call on the Afghan relevant parties to abide by their all undeniable responsibilities, take friendly approach toward neighboring countries and respect recognized universally accepted principles of international law and fundamental human rights and protect the safety and legitimate rights of foreign nationals and institutions in Afghanistan;
  5. Encourage the relevant Afghan parties to confront various threats and challenges including terrorism, drug smuggling and human trafficking, crack down on organized crime and other criminal acts originating from Afghanistan and taking into consideration the terrorism threats and counter-terrorism effectiveness in Afghanistan, discuss through bilateral or multilateral channels the possibility of restarting counter-terrorism cooperation with Afghanistan in due course;
Tehran Meeting 2021
  1. Call on the relevant parties of Afghanistan and the international community to address the root causes of refugees and forced displacement in Afghanistan to avoid any destabilizing activity that would deteriorate the situation and cooperate to bring a permanent solution for the protracted situation of Afghan refugees;
  2. Call on the international community and donor countries to provide continued, adequate and proportionate financial support to the host countries of Afghan refugees, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and other neighboring countries of Afghanistan;
  3. Call on the international community to further provide Afghanistan with more urgent humanitarian assistance including food, medicines, winter utilities etc., to prevent humanitarian crisis and refugee wave in Afghanistan, and prevent new shock to neighboring countries and the international community;
  4. Call on the international community to take concrete actions to provide Afghanistan with help against COVID-19, and curb the spreading of the virus;
  5. Start the function of the mechanism of regular meetings of Special Envoys (representatives) for Afghanistan affairs as well as regular meetings of the representatives of Embassies in Kabul at an early date (as mentioned in the first round of foreign minister’s meeting joint statement) to jointly promote and hold consultations on details of relevant cooperation regularly for more concrete achievements;
  6. Reiterate call on international community to remain positively engaged with Afghanistan and develop long term roadmap to advance the agenda of political engagement, economic integration and regional connectivity;

The Foreign Ministers appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the second round of the meeting and agreed to hold the third round in 2022 in China.

Mechanism Prosecutor Brammertz on mission to South Africa

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Mechanism Prosecutor Brammertz on mission to South Africa

Arusha,  4 November 2021 – Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) will be on official visit to Pretoria from 8 to 9 November 2021, as part of preparations for his regular biannual report to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

During his visit, Prosecutor Brammertz is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Police, the Ministry of Justice and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The Chief Prosecutor will further take the opportunity to meet with members of the diplomatic community in South Africa.

The primary topic of discussion will be the cooperation of the Republic of South Africa with the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor in the search for the remaining fugitives indicted for genocide and other serious international crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

As Prosecutor Brammertz has regularly reported to the UNSC, the Republic of South Africa failed to arrest a fugitive present in its territory. In addition, there are many critical leads in South Africa concerning a number of genocide fugitives, for which South African authorities have not yet provided urgently needed support. The Chief Prosecutor sincerely hopes that during this visit, South African authorities will agree to concrete measures that will result in better cooperation, and ultimately achieve justice for the victims of genocide.

It is anticipated that Prosecutor Brammertz will submit his next report to the UNSC in November 2021.

Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on official mission to Harare 

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Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on official mission to Harare 

Arusha, 1 November 2021 – Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) will have an official visit to Harare, Zimbabwe, from 2 to 4 November 2021, as part of preparations for his regular biannual report to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

During his visit, the Chief Prosecutor is scheduled to meet with H.E. Constantino Chiwenga, Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Prosecutor will also meet with the Inter-Agency Task Force established by the Republic of Zimbabwe to provide assistance to the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor.

The primary topic of discussion will be the cooperation of the Republic of Zimbabwe with the Mechanism Office of the Prosecutor in the search for the remaining fugitives indicted for genocide and other serious international crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz’s meeting with the representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of Zimbabwe.

As Chief Prosecutor Brammertz reported to the UNSC in May 2021, full and effective cooperation from the Republic of Zimbabwe is essential to move forward critical investigations, including the documented presence of a fugitive in Zimbabwean territory. The Chief Prosecutor and his interlocutors will also discuss other matters of mutual interest. The Chief Prosecutor will further take the opportunity to meet with some members of the diplomatic community in Zimbabwe.

It is expected that Prosecutor Brammertz will submit his next report to the UNSC in November 2021.

Meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors in Tehran: Together for peace and development

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Meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors in Tehran: Together for peace and development

By Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The presence of U.S. troops and their allied forces in Afghanistan, as well as their embarrassing, catastrophic departure, has left in its wake an overwhelmingly disorganized country and an agitated and anguished nation, causing an ambiguous future for a country which suffered military invasion in a modern fashion under the clichéd slogan of democratic development. 

In 2002, when U.S. warmongers were recklessly invading our region in their unilateral practice to achieve the so-called globalization under the guise of “war on terror”, there were voices which praised the insanity and envisioned a brighter future for the invaded countries. West Asia underwent developments at the time, but the developments were characterized by instability, war, and, indeed, lessons to learn. The state of affairs which has persisted to this day and has permeated the entire region has further fuelled terrorism and extremism, creating an insecure environment prone to tensions and conflict. 

This tragic period teaches a lesson to all of us in West Asia, not least to those who continue to pin their hopes on foreign powers. The lesson is the fact that outsourcing security and relying upon domineering powers is a pipe dream and an instable mirage. 

This tragic history of Afghanistan’s past is reminiscent of the authentic principle that the countries in the region must join forces and respond collectively to their people’s questions and expectations and strive to create a more prosperous, secure, and stable environment. This valuable endeavor shall be materialized based not upon an imposed or hackneyed model but upon an indigenous, all-inclusive framework for regional cooperation.

Iran’s hand of friendship and brotherhood is always extended towards all countries in the region, neighbors in particular. Working in this spirit, Dr. Raisi, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has started his great undertaking by placing on his agenda the formulation of a balanced, dynamic and smart foreign policy. On this new agenda, relations which neighbors and Asian countries is prioritized and the improvement of political and economic relations in the region by relying on historical, cultural, religious and geographical bonds will serve as the basis for new mobility and connectivity.  This framework demonstrates the profound belief that our commonalities in this region are much greater and stronger than our short-lived differences and grievances. 

Today, the countries in the region have learned by experience that the objectives of sustainable security, welfare, and development are achievable only through regional synergy and cooperation among neighbors. Regional cooperation is aimed at reviving the opportunities and reducing the threats caused by geographical adjacency by relying upon the moral components of neighborliness. The new round of our joint efforts on Afghanistan serves as an important test for Afghanistan’s neighbors by factoring in their extensive and diverse potentials in this regard.

The second meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbours in Tehran is a new step in diplomacy taken by the new government of Iran to improve convergence and regional bonds without the interference of foreign powers and based upon neighborliness and to lay the foundation for the participants to adopt real and practical decisions in order to assist the people of Afghanistan in resolving the current crisis in their country, including by countering insecurity and multi-dimensional threats and reducing poverty.

Tehran Meeting

Today, after four decades of insecurity in the country, Afghanistan’s neighbors consider the improvement of people’s security and livelihood as the cornerstone for stability and development and the formation of an “inclusive government.”

Iran and Afghanistan are two friendly and brotherly neighbors with historical relations and abundant bonds, ranging from a shared comprehensive historical-civilizational area to religious, cultural connectivity, and the Persian language which has bonded the two countries together. 

In all sensitive and decisive stages of Afghanistan’s history, including the time of struggle and resistance against occupation, the Islamic Republic of Iran has stood with the Muslim and neighboring nation of Afghanistan. The new government of the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great significance to this long-standing history in its foreign policy.

And it is a source of delight that today there is a greater-than-ever consensus over the importance of neighborhood policy in Iran. There is no limitation on the expansion and deepening of relations with neighbors, most notably with Afghanistan which has a special position in the Iranian foreign policy.  

Fortunately, all the neighbors of Afghanistan have this consensus that the country must be purged of insecurity and instability, that it should become a center for constructive and productive activities, and that the Afghan soil should not be used to launch threats against neighboring countries. As a pivotal country in the battle against ISIS and terrorism, and as a nation which has suffered the loss of its great general, Martyr Qassem Soleimani, as well as other martyrs in this path, the Islamic Republic of Iran together with other neighbors emphasizes counterterrorism. In this regard, establishment of an inclusive government which serves as the sole cause of unity and cohesion among Afghanistan’s people will pave the way for a bright future for Afghanistan and is an important theme for discussion at the Tehran meeting. 

The neighboring countries want a stable, secure, and economically prosperous Afghanistan, emphasizing the fact that the issue of displaced people and the livelihood of Afghanistan’s people required intense attention in the short-term. Now, with the termination of Afghanistan’s occupation, with the help of international organizations and the countries in the region, necessary arrangements should be made to aid the vulnerable people of Afghanistan in their current ordeal. At the Tehran Meeting, we will strive wholeheartedly to explore avenues to resolve this chronic problem, proving that engagement and cooperation of the neighbors and the assistance of all the members is a vast and constructive potential which can put an eternal end to foreign domination and reliance upon extra-regional forces. 

EU on the spotlight for Bavarian Minister Huml 

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EU on the spotlight for Bavarian Minister Huml 

12-13 October 2021, Brussels, European Union: Bavaria’s Minister for European Affairs, Melanie Huml, was in Brussels in order to attend in person high-level appointments. 

Her programme included a discussion with the Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Dr Johannes Hahn, on the topics of the multi-annual financial framework and digital administration, as well as a working breakfast with Bavarian MEPs and the Bavarian State Government’s Commissioner for Bureaucracy Reduction, Walter Nussel, MdL.

She also attended the plenary session of the European Committee of Regions and encountered Ambassador Rüdiger König, Germany’s Permanent Representative to NATO, as well as Ambassador Prof. Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference and other high-ranking representatives from the field of security policy.

For further information:
Bavarian Government: https://www.bayern.de/buergerservice/mediathek/?sb=Melanie%20Huml&d1=Datum+von&d2=Datum+bis&filter_fotos=on&filter_videos=on

Ambassador Francisco Quiroga welcomed in Hamburg by State Counsellor Möller

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Ambassador Francisco Quiroga welcomed in Hamburg by State Counsellor Möller

Tuesday, 28 September 2021, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany: Mexico’s newly accredited diplomatic head of mission in Germany, H.E. Ambassador Francisco Quiroga Fernández, was received at Hamburg’s historic City Hall by State Counsellor Almut Möller, Plenipotentiary to the German Federation, the European Union and for Foreign Affairs. 

Mexico’s Honorary Consul in Hamburg Hans-Christian Sievers was also present during the bilateral encounter. 

For Mexico Hamburg is a city of particular relevance, for the very first diplomatic mission of that North American country was opened in the port city back in 1831. Moreover Hamburg is host city to the the European Union – Latin America and Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC), which fosters relations between the two geographical areas, and whose headquarters Ambassador Quiroga also visited during his trip to Hamburg. 

Ambassador Francisco Quiroga Fernández was accredited before Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday, 1 September 2021. Previous to his ambassadorship he was Undersecretary for Mining at the Secretary of Economy. He speaks German and English in addition to his native Spanish. He is an economist by education, having graduated from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, and having pursued masters in the subject at Yale University in the USA as well as at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. 

For further information:
Embassy of the United Mexican States in the Federal Republic of Germany: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/alemania/index.php/es/

Uzbekistan’s Presidential Elections 2021

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Uzbekistan’s Presidential Elections 2021


Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan OSCE preliminary findings

On October 24th, 2021, Uzbek voters went to the polls to elect their new President. According to the results published by the Uzbekistan Central Election Commission (UCEC), 80.8% of eligible voters showed up to cast their ballot, and 81.1% of them voted for the incumbent president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who consequently secured another term in office.

On October 25th, in the wake of election day, the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) released a “Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions”, consisting of its electoral mission’s preliminary assessment of the unfolding of the electoral process.

The electoral process has been widely covered and broadcasted both in Uzbekistan and around the world.

The document acknowledged a degree of improvement in certain areas, such as the implementation of previous OSCE recommendations on the electoral legal framework, a partial opening of the media environment, especially online, as well as the efficient performance of the UCEC. At the same time, however, it concluded that the elections suffered from a number of significant shortcomings. For instance, it condemned Uzbekistan’s political system for not being genuinely pluralistic, for excessively restricting the citizens’ freedom of expression, and for failing to properly address a number of legal and procedural issues related to the electoral process.

In a strongly worded response to the OSCE document, Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, head of Geopolitics/Economics at the Defence Journal and regional expert on Central Asia and the South Caucasus, energetically rejected the document’s findings.

Dr. Khan defended the level of pluralism in the Uzbek political system, arguing that every political party has received equal treatment in terms of media projection, financing, campaigning, association, and arranging meetings – the only limitations being the ones related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the absence of political violence and protests during the electoral cycle, and the Uzbek politicians’ dedication in staying away from “dirty tactics” in the lead up to the elections.

While the OSCE mission accused the incumbent president of blurring the lines between state duties and political campaigning, Dr. Khan rejected such accusations, arguing that the president has not announced any benefits to his voters ahead of the elections. Moreover, responding to the OSCE mission’s claims about limited freedom of expression, Dr. Khan argued that the electoral process has been widely covered and broadcasted both in Uzbekistan and around the world.

In addition, regarding the OSCE mission’s accusations regarding procedural irregularities, Dr. Khan cited his own experience as international election observer, saying that he has personally not found any such irregularity, but only mistakes committed by common voters due to human error. Finally, Dr. Khan strongly accused the OSCE of adopting double standards, citing cases concerning the Catalan independence referendum of 2017 and the Scottish referendum of 2021.

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