OPCW- IIT concludes that units of the Syrian Arab Air Force used chemical weapons in Saraqib

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OPCW- IIT concludes that units of the Syrian Arab Air Force used chemical weapons in Saraqib

OPCW Releases Second Report by Investigation and Identification Team. IIT concludes that units of the Syrian Arab Air Force used chemical weapons in Saraqib on 4 February 2018

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—12 April 2021—The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) released today the findings of the second report by the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT). The IIT is responsible for identifying the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic where the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) has determined that chemical weapons have been used or likely used in Syria. The IIT released its first report on 8 April 2020.

The IIT’s second report reiterates its mandate, the legal and practical challenges of its work, and the findings of the investigation focusing on the incident in Saraqib, Syrian Arab Republic, on 4 February 2018. The IIT’s investigation and analysis included a comprehensive review of all the information obtained including: interviews with persons who were present in the relevant places at the time of the incidents, analysis of samples and remnants collected at the sites of the incidents, review of the symptomatology reported by casualties and medical staff, examination of imagery, including satellite images, and extensive consultation of experts.

The IIT also obtained topographic analysis of the area in question and gas dispersion modelling to corroborate accounts from witnesses and victims. The investigation relied on relevant FFM report as well as on samples and other material obtained by the Technical Secretariat.

The report reached the conclusion that there are reasonable grounds to believe that, at approximately 21:22 on 4 February 2018, a military helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Force under the control of the Tiger Forces hit eastern Saraqib by dropping at least one cylinder. The cylinder ruptured and released chlorine over a large area, affecting 12 named individuals.

Cultural heritage must no longer be attacked and destroyed with impunity

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Cultural heritage must no longer be attacked and destroyed with impunity

Fatou Bensouda, at the conclusion of her visit to Mali

Photo credit: © Timbuktu TFV-ICC HD @Nicolas Réméné

From the 29th to the 31st of March, I had the honour to conduct my third and last official visit to Mali in my capacity as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the ‘’Court’’) before my term ends in June of this year. While in Mali, my delegation and I had a full programme  of meetings and productive discussions with the Malian authorities, the judiciary, representatives of civil society, victim associations, community and religious leaders, the academic community and the media. Our exchanges also included meetings with representatives of the United Nations and the diplomatic community based on Mali.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Malian authorities, and the President of the Transition, H.E. Bah N’DAW for the hospitality and cooperation extended to me and my team during my visit to Bamako and Timbuktu.

I would also like to thank the Trust Fund for Victims of the ICC as well as The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (“UNESCO”) for the organisation and gracious invitation to take part in the historic ceremony marking the symbolic recognition of victims – their suffering, their courage and resilience – following the conviction of Mr Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, the first individual accused and convicted at the ICC for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu, Mali. Mr Al Mahdi was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and ordered to pay 2.7 million euros in reparations to victims. His conviction sent a clear message that these are serious under international law and that perpetrators must be and will be held accountable. Cultural heritage must no longer be attacked and destroyed with impunity.

As I stated at the ceremony, when cultural property is destroyed, it erases the past, never to be lived again, leading to an irreplaceable loss to humanity. We must pool our resources and within our respective mandates, collectively address the serious issue of the destruction of cultural heritage in war and conflict. No actor alone is able to effectively fight impunity for atrocity crimes and protect cultural heritage. Joint action and collaboration are essential. We must indeed #unite4heritage.

ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, at the Djinguereber Mosque, one of UNESCO’s endangered World Heritage Sites in Timbuktu, Mali. © Timbuktu TFV-ICC HD @Nicolas Réméné

Given the importance that I, along with my Office, attach to this matter, and in line with my Strategic Plan to pay particular attention to crimes against and affecting cultural heritage, we recently published a Draft Policy on Cultural Heritage for consultation and comments by States Parties to the Rome Statute, civil society and other stakeholders. My Office has enjoyed close collaboration with UNESCO on this initiative, and I seize the opportunity to publicly salute them for their critical work and the cooperation and assistance extended to my Office. We look forward to our continued collaboration.

In our second case in the Situation of Mali, the trial against Mr Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud has been ongoing since last July. Mr Al Hassan faces a total of 13 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including sexual and gender-based crimes and the deliberate attacks against cultural heritage allegedly committed in Timbuktu. He is the first individual at the ICC to be charged with persecution on the grounds of gender and on religious grounds. The attack on cultural heritage is part of the underlying crimes.

My Office will continue to do what it can to address these serious crimes, including the assault on cultural heritage – our common heritage. My personal visit to Timbuktu on this occasion and having directly interacted with community leaders and those affected by the destruction brought upon this historic city have only reinforced my belief in the importance of accountability for such crimes. History, whose physical embodiment is at peril through such attacks, will not be generous to our failure to care or act decisively.

During my visit, I have also discussed with the Malian authorities the ongoing violence in the country, and in particular, the preoccupying situation in central Mali and the need to ensure that investigations by the Malian authorities are conducted as swiftly as possible and that those responsible for the commission of atrocities against the civilian population are brought to justice. I reiterated the commitment of my Office to provide support as appropriate in conformity with our mandate and  the principle of complementarity to assist national efforts to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for atrocities.

Our investigations in Mali continue. I am grateful to the Malian authorities for their cooperation and support. My Office remains committed to doing everything it can within its mandate and means to advance justice for victims of atrocity crimes, whether at the ICC or in support of national efforts within the framework of complementarity.

Philippines Contributes to OPCW

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Philippines Contributes to OPCW
Philippines Contributes $15,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology



THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 9 April 2021 —The Government of the Philippines has contributed US$15,000 to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).

The contribution was formalised during a ceremony between the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Jose Eduardo E. Malaya III, and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, which was held today at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.Ambassador Malaya stated: “The Philippines is committed to disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, notably chemical weapons.

I commend the work of the OPCW and its vision to establish the ChemTech Centre, which aims to strengthen the Organisation’s capability against new and emerging chemical weapons threats and support capacity building among OPCW Member States.

”The Director-General expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Philippines and noted: “The Philippine contribution advances the establishment of the ChemTech Centre which will be a centrepiece for research, analysis, and training for all Member States.”Director-General Arias also thanked all the OPCW States Parties and other donors who have supported the project.

He emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats and enhance capacity building activities to the benefit of all 193 OPCW Member States.So far, 47 countries, the European Union, and four other donors have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the ChemTech Centre project, and €33.6M has been raised.

States Parties are encouraged to continue participating in this important project. Further voluntary contributions will also be used to finance equipment and activities related to International Cooperation and Assistance involving the ChemTech Centre.
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Jose Eduardo E. Malaya III, and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

Türk Keneşi issues declaration at first virtual summit

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Türk Keneşi issues declaration at first virtual summit


Türk Keneşi issues declaration at first virtual summit

Informal Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (hereinafter referred to as the Turkic Council) was held via video conference on 31 March 2021 on the theme of “Turkistan – A Spiritual Capital of the Turkic World”.

The meeting was presided over by H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan< and attended by H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev, First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy and the Honorary Chairman of the Turkic Council; H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; H.E. Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic; H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey; H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan; and H.E. Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary as well as H.E. Baghdad Amreyev Secretary General of the Turkic Council. 

The Heads of States of the Turkic Council, 

Celebrating Nowruz, a holiday which welcomes the vernal equinox and symbolizes the renewal of nature and the beginning of new life;

Congratulating the upcoming 30th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan; and expressing gratitude to the Republic of Turkey for immediate recognition of independence of the Turkic Speaking States in 1991;

Highlighting the remarkable political and socio-economic progress that the Turkic Speaking States achieved during the last decades and highly valuing the evolution of multilateral relations in the Turkic World and expressing their strong commitment to further deepening cooperation among the Turkic States; 

Commending the liberation of territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan from military occupation and welcoming the end of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict;

Reiterating their determination to lay down long-term vision and goals for closer cooperation and enhanced solidarity in the Turkic World and to shape the strategic orientation;  

Emphasizing the valuable achievements of the Turkic Council since its inception and reaffirming the intention to enhance its role in ensuring cooperative and coordinated action in the Turkic World and further promoting the values and interests of the Turkic World in the regional and international arena;

Underlining the significance of the multilateral economic cooperation as a tool for contribution to the peace, stability, security and prosperity for the benefit of their peoples; 

Acknowledging the spiritual significance of the city of Turkistan in bringing peoples together from across the wider Turkic World;
Praising the heritage of Kozha Akhmet Yasavi as a great inspirational figure, who founded Turkic school of Islamic morality and exerted a powerful influence on the development of philosophy across the Turkic World; 

Expressing the importance of continuation of holding consultations on regional and international issues affecting the interests of the Turkic World in order to develop a consolidated position of the Member States of the Organization on them in line with the Nakhchivan Agreement on the Establishment of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States. 

Declared that they:

1. Proclaimed the city of Turkistan as a Spiritual Capital of the Turkic World. Agreed that other prominent ancient cities of the Turkic World might be accorded with similar statuses on a rotating basis in the future; and instructed the Secretariat to prepare a regulation on this matter in cooperation with the Member States to be adopted by the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) prior to the 8th Turkic Council Summit in Turkey; 

2. Supported the initiative of H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev, First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy and the Honorary Chairman of the Turkic Council to change the name of the Turkic Council and instructed the Foreign Ministers and the Secretariat to prepare the relevant documents to lay the basis for this decision at the 8th Summit of the Turkic Council envisaged to be held in the fall of 2021 in the Republic of Turkey; 

3. Commended the Secretariat for the preparation of the initial drafts of the “Turkic World Vision -2040” and “Turkic Council Strategy 2020-2025”, and instructed the relevant authorities of the Member States to work with the Secretariat to prepare them for the possible approval in line with their respective national procedures at the next Summit in Turkey; 

4. Expressed solidarity with the Government and the People of Azerbaijan in their effort to rehabilitate, rebuild and reintegrate conflict-affected territories and supported the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the basis of mutual recognition of and respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders;  

5. Stressed the importance of the economic outlook for enabling the Turkic Council to set more ambitious and achievable goals, undertake and effectively implement regional projects of strategic importance, in particular in the field of transport, customs, energy and infrastructure; 

6. Noting the great merits of the famous poet and statesman Mir Alisher Navoi in the eye of the Turkic people, who made a great contribution to the development of the literature, art, social-economic, scientific and cultural life of the Turkic world, as well as in connection with the wide celebration of his 580th anniversary this year, agreed to establish the Alisher Navoi International Prize within the Turkic Council; 

7. Instructed the relevant authorities of the Member States to hold in collaboration with the Turkic Cooperation Organizations coordinated events for celebration of the 1005th anniversary of Zhusup Balasagyn, 880th anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi, the year of Yunus Emre and the Turkish language, the 580th anniversary of Alisher Navoi, 175th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev, 155th anniversary of Alikhan Bokeikhan, and the 120th anniversary of Huseyin Karasaev, prominent poets, philosophers and statesmen of the Turkic World who made significant contributions to the development of literature, art, science and culture of the Turkic World;

8. Commended the significant achievements in the activities of the Secretariat of the Turkic Council since the last Summit.

The Heads of States express profound thanks to H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev, First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy and the Honorary Chairman of the Turkic Council for initiating the Turkistan Informal Summit and H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for steering the deliberations at this meeting to a successful conclusion. 

Adopted on 31 March 2021 at the videoconference in the Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Uzbek and English languages. 

The Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States was set up 2009 in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, at the initiative of Kazakhstan’s then President Nursultan Nazarbayev who still serves as the council’s honorary chairman. The General Secretariat is located in Istanbul. Secretary-General is the Kazakh diplomat Baghdad Kultaevich Amreyev.

Membership therein includes Turkey, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Hungary is an observer state, and Turkmenistan holds an unwritten status as a country of Turkic heritage that has declined membership in the council owing to its policy of absolute neutrality.  

The council has its own flag, and intends in playing a more relevant role in the region for countries of Turkic heritage. 

For further information:
https://www.turkkon.org/en/haberler/turkistan-declaration-of-the-informal-summit-of-the-cooperation-council-of-turkic-speaking-states_2220

Picture by Turkic Council.

Jaime de Parme to tackle climate change

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Jaime de Parme to tackle climate change

The Dutch Ministry of Interior and Royal Relations has announced the appointment of Jaime de Bourbon de Parme as ‘Climate Envoy’. From the summer 2021, he shall be responsible for international climate diplomacy on behalf of the central government. 

The Kingdom of the Netherlands joins other major countries in tackling climate change, and appointing erudite envoys to advise them on suitable policies on sustainability, and climate change.

US President Biden appointed erstwhile 68th Secretary of State John Kerry at the outset of his presidency. Already in November 2020, the UAE appointed Minister of State, Dr Sultan Al Jaber to an analogous position. 

Minister President Dr. Whiteman and Ambassador Jaime de Bourbon de Parme. Picture by Government of Curaçao.

HRH Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme (b. 1972 in Nijmengen, The Netherlands) works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is currently on secondment at the UNHCR-Refugee Agency in Geneva; wherein he serves in the capacity of Senior Advisor Private Sector Partnerships. He has held various positions at home and abroad, such as Ambassador to the Holy See in Vatican City (2014-18) and Special Envoy for Natural Resources.

Jaime de Bourbon de Parme is a son of HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands (alias Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld) and the late Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, Carlo Ugo. He pursued his tertiary studies at Brown University (Rhode Island, USA), and completed them with a Master in International Economics and Conflict Management at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA (MA).

He speaks Dutch, English, French, Spanish and Italian. 

For further information 


World Economic Forum: https://cn.weforum.org/people/jaime-bourbon-parme


Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_de_Bourbon_de_Parme

Dancing diamonds take the lead at Chopard

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Dancing diamonds take the lead at Chopard

Dancing diamonds are the ultimate emblem of the Maison Chopard. Invented in Chopard’s workshops in 1976, they have never ceased to distil their daring through multiple watch and jewellery creations. Through the talent of the artisans in Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie workshops, they now lend their signature touch to three unprecedented jewellery watches crafted in ethical 18-carat white gold. Each features a dial set with five dancing diamonds and framed by a tiara of marquise-cut precious stones.

Within Caroline Scheufele‘s creative repertoire, jewellery watches stir very special emotions: the grandfather of the current Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard was already famous almost a century ago for the gemset timepieces in which he specialised. This gives an idea of the expertise cultivated by the artisans in the Maison’s Haute Joaillerie ateliers, which are now unveiling three new creations in ethical white gold, diamonds and sapphires.

These jewellery masterpieces also nurture the heritage of dancing diamonds, skilfully perpetuated since the Maison invented this revolutionary concept in 1976: five setting-free diamonds spin joyfully on their own axis as well as whirling around the watch dial. In passing, they offer infinite shimmering reflections of the light illuminating their facets, bringing to life a show that upends our vision of time. The artisans of the Maison’s Haute Joaillerie workshops have set an array of carefully calibrated marquise-cut precious stones forming a ‘laurel wreath’ around this hypnotically charming dial. The first all-diamond version is complemented by two others graced with blue or pink sapphires. They are respectively fitted with matching grey, blue or pink satin straps.

Haute Joaillerie at Chopard

At Chopard, Haute Joaillerie is guided by the visionary eye of Caroline Scheufele, who over the years has developed the largest specialised workshops in Switzerland. Today, at the Maison’s headquarters in Geneva these encompass more than 30 crafts dedicated to celebrating precious stones and boundless creative generosity, nurturing a wealth of emotions in step as seasons come and go.


For further information https://www.chopard.com/us/high-jewellery-introduction

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Main image: Ethical 18-carat white gold watch set with marquise-cut pink sapphires (13.53 cts) as well as brilliant-cut diamond and graced with five diamonds dancing around its dial. Pink satin strap.

Cartier invites you to rediscover iconic collections

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Cartier invites you to rediscover iconic collections

Cartier began 2021 with an international campaign devoted to its iconic designs. For this new campaign, Cartier invites you to (re)discover the diversity of its iconic collections – Santos, Tank, Trinity, Love, Juste Un Clou, Panthère and Ballon Bleu through a series of images. 

They reflect Cartier’s stringent standards and design vision that have led the Maison to the constant quest for the perfect form based on the purity of the line, the accuracy of the shape, the precision of proportions and the precious details.

By bringing these collections together for the first time, this campaign pays tribute to the line which is powerful, clean and precise, like those of a designer, born from a vision and an intention. Thus, it raises design to the rank of culture, by creating objects that remain desirable over time.

Cartier icons

“Cartier is a pioneering house, in constant creative exploration. This campaign demonstrates the Maison’s ability to create cult designs that stand the test of time, objects that are at once immediately recognisable and bear witness to the past,” said Arnaud Carrez, Cartier’s Marketing and Communication Director. “The simplicity and strength of these images allow us to celebrate a unique collection of cult design creations that have earned a place in the history of jewellery and watchmaking, and in the hearts of our customers.”

The campaign alternates between featuring all the collections and each one individually. It was unveiled on 6 January2021 in the international press, on the company’s social media platforms as well as on the website, cartier.com

In doing so, the Maison continues to keep the history of these pieces alive. Indeed, the remarkable, pure designs make it a unique collection. 

For further information 
https://www.cartier.com

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Images courtesy of Cartier

H.E. Mr. Fernando Antonio Grillo Rubiano, Ambassador of Colombia

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H.E. Mr. Fernando Antonio Grillo Rubiano, Ambassador of Colombia

Ambassador Fernando Antonio Grillo Rubiano, presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on April 7, 2021.

Ambassador Grillo holds a Law degree from the University of the Andes (Bogota, Colombia) and specialized in Constitutional Law at the Centre for
Constitutional Studies and Political Science (Madrid, Spain), as well as in Family Law at the University Externado (Bogota, Colombia).

Ambassador Grillo has extensive experience in the public service, mainly in matters related to the strengthening and modernization of the Colombian State. From 2018 to March 2021, he was the Director of the Administrative Department of Public Service. He is the current representative of Colombia to the Latin American Centre for Public Administration and Development (CLAD) and presides its council since 2018.

He served as Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Colombia to the
Government of the Republic of Ghana between 2016 and 2018, and Counsellor at the Colombian Embassy to the Swiss Confederation from 2009 to 2013. He was also a Law professor at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia.

H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of the Philippines

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H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of the Philippines

H.E. Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya is a foreign affairs career official with over three decades of experience. He presented his credentials to His Majesty the King Willem Alexander of The Netherlands on April 7th. Before been appointed Ambassador to The Netherlands, he was Undersecretary for Administration in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. In 2019, Mr. Malaya, who’s considered a legal heavyweight, was Assistant Secretary at the Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs.

Previously he was ambassador to Malaysia from September 2011 to March 2017 following his position as Foreign Affairs spokesman and concurrently Assistant Secretary of Legal Affairs from February 2009 to September 2011. Earlier he was Assistant Secretary of Policy Planning at DFA from March 2007 until January 2009. He served at Philippines missions in New York, Brussels, Chicago and San Francisco.

Mr. Malaya is the author/editor of several books: “Frontlines of Diplomacy: Conversations with Philippine Ambassadors” (Anvil Publishing, 2011); “Philippine Treaties Index, 1946-2010” (Philippine Foreign Service Institute, 2010); “So Help Us God: The Presidents of the Philippines and their Inaugural Addresses” (Anvil Publishing, 2004), “Philippine-Malaysia Agreements (1962-2014): Cornerstones of a Partnership” (2015). “Frontlines of Diplomacy” was a Finalist for the 2013 National Book Awards (Professions Category) under the auspices of the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle. 

Furthermore, he published: Forging Partnerships: “Philippine Defense Cooperation under Constitutional and International Laws” (University of the Philippines Law Center, Quezon City, 2016); Stewards of the Nation: Aguinaldo to Duterte and their Inaugural Visions (Anvil Publishing, 2018), which is an expansion of the 2004 publication. In 2018 when he visited The Netherlands he donated his books to the library of the Peace Palace, hoping that” ‘these books will reflect the vibrancy of diplomatic engagements and the ferment of international law discourse in the Philippines and relatedly in the Asian region’. ‘It is hoped that the above-said materials will be helpful to researchers and students of the law’.

Ambassador Malaya studied economics (BA with honours) and law (Juris Doctor) both at the University of the Philippines. Married to Rena Cristina Koa-Malaya MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist, he has three children – Mark Edward, Jana Ariana and Adrian Edward. He was awarded the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Datu (Grand Cross-Gold Distinction), in 2010 by President Arroyo and the Order of Mabini (Gwad Mabini) in 2016 by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi

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Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi

Today, the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Kingdom of the Netherlands held a virtual ceremony marking the 27th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. In observance of all measures taken in this country by the Dutch Government aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19, the online program was developed in cooperation with Ibuka Netherlands and the ceremony was broadcasted today at 15.00 hours. 

The online Kwibuka27 ceremony was organised to remember and honour those we lost, comfort those who survived and pay tribute to the sacrifices that brought Rwanda back to life. The diplomatic community, Rwandan nationals living in the Netherlands, friends of Rwanda and many others were invited to join for Kwibuka27.

After a minute of silence, a speech was given by Mrs Christine Safari, President of Ibuka Netherlands, which is an umbrella organization of survivors of the Genocide committed against Tutsis in 1994 in Rwanda. She applauded the genocide survivors for sticking to life. “You find that one accepts consequences of the genocide, then, goes on to become self-reliant, and rebuild themselves. This is great bravery.” Mrs Safari also said that she appealed to the Government of the Netherlands to permit to build a genocide memorial site where wreaths can be layed during the commemoration period. “I also appeal to the Government of the Netherlands to continue tracking perpetrators of genocide and bring them to justice. We request everyone’s support in fighting genocide minimization which is now on its peak, as these deniers continue to misname and misrepresent the facts by spreading a false narrative of double genocide,” she said.

After a moving testimony by Mrs. Naila Clarisse, Genocide survivor, Judge Agius Carmel, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) gave his remarks. He assured that the Rwandan people are more than ever present in his heart and in his mind. “People all over the world are commemorating with you, you are not alone!” he said. Judge Agius Carmel continued to say that denialism does not only affect the pain and suffering of the victims of the genocide, it delays reconciliation and there’s an overall danger to peace and security. “Lies written in ink (or on social media) will not erase truth written in blood. Indeed, the ICTR judgements are filled with facts written in blood,” the Judge said. “I’m pleased to share with you that the Mechanism has now completed the translations in Kinyarwanda of all remaining ICTR trial judgements and is in the process of making them available and accessible to the Rwandan people in their own language,” he added.

Representing the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary General Paul Huijts said in his speech that educating our children about what happened in 1994 is crucial, because they will have to prevent atrocities from happening in their lifetime. “For over 25 years, the Government of the Netherlands has been providing expertise and capacity to help Rwanda rebuild its justice system. To honour our partnership Rwanda and the Netherlands will jointly organize a conference in Kigali in June of this year. We have invited Rwandan and Dutch students to engage in a friendly debate on the last day of the conference. Because the future of justice is in their hands,” Secretary General Huijts said. He also said that genocide suspects will not find a safe haven in the Netherlands.

H.E. Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe concluded the Kwibuka27 ceremony with his keynote address. He said that 27 years have passed, but the wounds are still fresh and the memories are still vivid. The Ambassador promised that the Government of Rwanda will continue to stand by side of the survivors and support them in the long journey towards healing. 

“We are particularly grateful to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the decisive actions it took in this regard. Not only did our host country support our justice sector in the wake of the genocide, but it also investigated, arrested, prosecuted, convicted and extradited a number of genocide fugitives. The Government of Rwanda remains actively engaged with Dutch authorities to ensure that the remaining genocide suspects, who are still roaming the streets of Dutch cities and towns, are also brought to book,” Ambassador Nduhungirehe said.

He continued to say that H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, once stated that the security of peoples who have once been targeted for extermination can never be exclusively physical. Until all ideologies which justify killing as a patriotic duty are defeated, our world is not truly safe. “In this regard, I recall that ‘Never Again’ was the world’s commitment after the Holocaust. This commitment was renewed after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. It is our view that ‘Never Again’ should not be just a sincere sentiment or a convenient slogan but should be translated into a fortress against the ever present threat of extermination,” the Ambassador stated. 

In closing and to honour the victims of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Ambassador Nduhungirehe once again invited everyone to remember, unite and renew, by speaking and acting against hate, against racism, against antisemitism, against bigotry, against discrimination, against mass atrocities and against the crime of crimes – Genocide. 

More information, including the video of the Kwibuka27 ceremony in the Netherlands, is available on the following webpage:

www.bit.ly/Kwibuka27intheNetherlands

Photo album: www.flickr.com/photos/rwanda-embassy-nl/albums/72157718874295698/with/51100753787/

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