ICC Presidency assigns judges to judicial divisions and Chambers

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
ICC Presidency assigns judges to judicial divisions and Chambers

Following the solemn undertaking of six newly elected judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 10 March 2021 and the Presidency’s electionon 11 March 2021, the Presidency of the Court has assigned the judges to the three judicial divisions. The Presidency also recomposed a number of Chambers where necessary, dissolved Pre-Trial Chamber III as well as Trial Chambers I, III, VI and VII and assigned the respective situations and cases currently before the Court to the remaining Chambers. The Presidency also decided that several cases do not currently require assignment to a trial chamber. The assignments as well as the re-composition of Chambers will be effective immediately.

The Appeals Division will be constituted as follows: Judges Piotr Hofmański, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, Solomy Balungi Bossa and Gocha Lordkipanidze.

The Trial Division will be constituted as follows: Judges Bertram Schmitt, Chang‑ho Chung, Kimberly Prost, Joanna Korner, Judge Miatta Maria Samba and Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor.

The Pre-Trial Division will be constituted as follows: Judges Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, Péter Kovács, Tomoko Akane, Reine Alapini-Gansou, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, María del Socorro Flores Liera and Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Gordinez.

The situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Libya; the Republic of Mali; Georgia; the Gabonese Republic; Registered Vessels of Comoros, Greece and Cambodia; Palestine; the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela I and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela II will be assigned to Pre-Trial Chamber I, to be composed of Judges Péter Kovács, Reine Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera.

The situations in Central African Republic I; Central African Republic II; Republic of Uganda; Darfur, Republic of the Sudan; Republic of Kenya; Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; and Republic of Burundi will be assigned to Pre-Trial Chamber II, to be composed of Judges Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, Tomoko Akane and Rosario Salvatore Aitala.

In addition, the Trial Chambers will be composed as follows:

Trial Chamber II

  • The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga
  • The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo
  • The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda
  • Judge Péter Kovács
  • Judge Chang-ho Chung
  • Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera

Trial Chamber IV

  • The Prosecutor v. Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain
  • Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou
  • Judge Kimberly Prost
  • Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera

Trial Chamber V

  • The Prosecutor v. Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona
  • Judge Bertram Schmitt, Presiding
  • Judge Péter Kovács
  • Judge Chang-ho Chung

Trial Chamber VIII

  • The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al-Faqi Al Mahdi
  • Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua
  • Judge Bertram Schmitt
  • Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera

Trial Chamber IX

  • The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen
  • Judge Bertram Schmitt, Presiding
  • Judge Péter Kovács
  • Judge Raul C. Pangalangan

Trial Chamber X

  • The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud
  • Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, Presiding
  • Judge Tomoko Akane
  • Judge Kimberly Prost

Each Division will elect a President of the respective Division from amongst its members and each newly composed Pre-Trial and Trial Chamber will elect a Presiding Judge. The Appeals Chamber decides on a Presiding Judge for each appeal.

According to article 39(1) of the Rome Statute, the assignment of judges to Divisions by the Presidency is based on the nature of the functions be performed by each Division and the qualifications and experience of the elected judges, so that each division contains an appropriate combination of expertise in criminal law and procedure and in international law. The judges are assigned for three years, and thereafter until the completion of any case. The judges assigned to the Appeals Division serve exclusively in the Appeals division for their entire term.

In view of the above assignments and re-composition of Chambers, the Presidency has noted the need for both the Appeals Chamber and Pre-Trial Chamber I to be operational. Accordingly, consistently with the requirements of article 35(3) of the Rome Statute, the assignment and re-composition makes it essential that Judges Gocha Lordkipanidze and María del Socorro Flores Liera be called to full-time service imminently, on the basis of workload. These two judges are anticipated to assume full-time service shortly after the Easter judicial recess.

Austria’s Sebastian Kurz enforces EU strategy with Germany

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Austria’s Sebastian Kurz enforces EU strategy with Germany

18-20 March 2021, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz encountered Armin Laschet, Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, today for an exchange in a good atmosphere.

We are “on the last metres of the pandemic”, the Austrian head of government said before the meeting. Now it was important to dismantle the border controls between Germany and Austria “as soon as possible” and to restore freedom of travel. Both also agreed that European solutions were needed in the fight against the pandemic.

Sebastian Kurz also stressed the need for an eco-social transformation of the economy. Both also pointed out the importance of economic relations between Austria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The phase of reconstruction and recovery after the Corona pandemic had to be used skilfully “to bring about an even stronger ecosocial transformation”. One must “reconcile the relief of work and small incomes” “with the necessary protection of the environment and climate”, said Chancellor Kurz.

The Chancellor had already held talks with German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer on Thursday. “After the talks with the German Interior Minister, I am very optimistic that border controls will be abolished in the coming weeks. The situation in Tyrol has developed excellently – some time ago we had 200 cases of the South African variant, meanwhile it is well below 100.

The path that has been taken there is a success story: we have succeeded in pushing this variant down quite massively. This is the basis for the German decisions and I therefore assume that border controls will soon be abolished,” said Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in a press statement after talks with the German Interior Minister in Berlin.

The German Interior Minister had given him a very clear signal that the success in Tyrol was an indication that border controls should be gradually dismantled. However, this decision would have to be taken together with the Ministry of Health and the Bavarian authorities. Since he was in contact with all relevant authorities, he assumed that the border controls would soon be a thing of the past.

Picture by Bundeskanzleramt Österreich.

Prior to the meeting with Seehofer, Chancellor Kurz had met with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with whom he had discussed issues such as Russia and Israel, the Chancellor said afterwards. The Chancellor then held talks with the German Health Minister Jens Spahn.

Green passport as a chance to restore freedom of travel

The Chancellor said he was pleased that the Green Passport, which Austria and also some other European countries had developed and promoted, was now also being taken up by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“I know that Germany was very sceptical at the beginning: I am glad that the Commission President has now also made concrete proposals for this project. It is supposed to be a digital green passport and it is supposed to be a way for us all to get back more freedom, to finally be able to travel freely again in Europe,” said the Chancellor, who reiterated that it was not a vaccination passport, but a digital passport for those who had been vaccinated, recovered or tested.

“I thank the Commission President and hope that the Green Passport, which we want to introduce in Austria in mid-April, will be available throughout Europe by 1 June at the latest. With the vaccination, we will return to normality in the summer,” said Sebastian Kurz, who stated that the goal was to aim for a complete restoration of freedom of travel in Europe in the summer, “so that German tourists can spend their holidays in Austria again”.

Rapid development of vaccines is a success story

On Thursday evening, Chancellor Kurz gave the laudatory speech for BioNTech founders Özlem Türeci and Uğur Şahin  at the “Axel Springer Awards” ceremony. In his speech, he praised the rapid progress of science in the development of vaccines. “We cannot thank you enough,” said Kurz, who spoke of a “European and global success story”. It had shown that “almost anything is possible if we decide to work together”. He hoped that one day “we will see the ways in which this experience has made us stronger and more resilient – as individuals, societies and democracies”.

The Chancellor expressed confidence that “the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching” in the fight against the Corona pandemic. Only if it is possible to vaccinate large sections of the population by the summer will it be possible to return to normality in the course of the summer, Chancellor Kurz said as per statement below.

For further information


Austrian Federal Chancellery: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/nachrichten-der-bundesregierung/2021/03/bundeskanzler-sebastian-kurz-gehe-davon-aus-dass-grenzkontrollen-nach-deutschland-bald-der-vergangenheit-angehoeren.html?fbclid=IwAR3WgCl8wMWc3c5pzl3GI01VgMOVK–kWY4dJ8i5Krgh0HY3W0z6AgTeCEo

Federal President of Germany: https://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Home/home_node.html#-gallery

Representation of NRW to the German Federation: https://mbei.nrw/de/oesterreichischer-bundeskanzler-zu-gast

Main picture by NRW-Landesvertretung, Phil Dera.

Samia Hassan serves as first female president in East Africa

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Samia Hassan serves as first female president in East Africa

In the image, Samia Suluhu Hassan – Picture by Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Friday, 19 March 2021, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania: Tanzania’s hitherto Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan (61) was sworn in as the East African country’s first female president after the sudden death of President Dr. John Magufuli from a heart failure.

According to Tanzania’s constitution, the vice president serves out the remainder of the term of a president who passes away whilst in office. Magufuli (61), who was first elected in 2015, secured a second five-year term in polls won in October 2020.

The constitution also states that after consultation with their party, the new president will propose a deputy, the choice to be confirmed by the votes of no fewer than 50 per cent of the National Assembly.

Hassan is the first Union head of state to be born in -the then Sultanate of- Zanzibar; the archipelago that forms part of the union of the Republic of Tanzania. She is described as a soft-spoken consensus builder. She is now Tanzania’s sixth president since the Union between Tanganyika with Zanzibar and Pembar in 1964. 

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania is the Union’s head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. A president is permitted to serve merely two terms, be it consecutively or separated by an hiatus. The President of Tanzania resides at Ikulu, or State House located in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. 

As head of the Executive branch of government the president appoints a prime minister, and cabinet members from the National Assembly. He is also entitled to appoint ten unelected MPs who are able to take up a seat in the union’s cabinet. 

For further information 
Presidency of Tanzania: https://www.ikulu.go.tz

Irish delegation unveils artwork donation to International Criminal Court

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Irish delegation unveils artwork donation to International Criminal Court

On 18 March 2021, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to The Netherlands, and ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański unveiled a new artwork donation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands.  

The artwork is a sculpture by Irish artist Fergus Martin titled “Oak”. The piece was designed and commissioned for the Court. It consists of two green benches made of glass fibre reinforced concrete. The sculpture reflects the landscape around the Court and represents the strength of the mighty Oak tree, a traditional Irish symbol of truth, justice, courage and wisdom.

“In presenting this artistic work to the Court, Ireland wishes to highlight both our ancient past wherein wisdom, the prerequisite of justice, is reflected, while also representing modernity and endurance through the choice of material,” H.E. Ambassador Kevin Kelly said in his remarks at the ceremony.

“Ireland continues to stand firmly in support of the ICC. Our support for the Rome Statute and the continuing development of the ICC is based on our commitment to ending impunity for those most responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and is in line with Ireland’s clear understanding that justice is a prerequisite for lasting peace, stability and equitable development,” the Ambassador added. 

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to The Netherlands and ICC Registrar Peter Lewis with the artwork donated to the ICC by the Government of Ireland

Expressing the Court’s gratitude to the government of Ireland for “this generous and thoughtful donation”, ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański stated that “Ireland was one of the ICC’s founding States Parties and has been consistent in its support of the Court ever since. Of particular note are Ireland’s recurring voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims, totalling more than 1.3 million euros since 2004. Ireland has also stood up to add its voice to those of other States Parties at a time when the Court has been faced with unprecedented threats and challenges.”

Ireland signed the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty – on 7 October 1998 and deposited its instrument of ratification on 11 April 2002. This donation highlights Ireland’s support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of those who perpetrate the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole.

Since the move to its new permanent premises in December 2015, the ICC received artwork donations from the Governments of Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, and Tunisia, representing their cultural heritage as well as reflecting the mandate of the Court.

ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, on the transition process and related discussions with the Prosecutor Elect

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, on the transition process and related discussions with the Prosecutor Elect

On 12 February 2021, the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute elected Mr Karim Khan, Q.C. to serve as the next Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”). I welcomed the announcement and once again congratulate Mr Khan on his successful candidacy. Mr Khan brings with him a wealth of experience and acumen to lead the Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP” or the “Office”) and we welcome him to the post. With the full support of my team, I am committed to ensuring that our colleague, Mr Khan, is in the best position to assume the Office’s crucial mandate when he takes office on the 16th of June.

The Office has swiftly moved to put those words into action. Since the results of the election were announced, I have engaged in a series of productive transition discussions with Mr Khan through telephone conversations, virtual meetings and in person. I am grateful to the Prosecutor Elect for his commitment to an effective transition process as well as the strong interest he has already demonstrated in the mandate of the Office and the duties and responsibilities he is about to assume and uphold.

Our discussions to date have touched upon a wide range of issues, from the transition itself to the Court’s budget process and the current budget cycle, matters related to human resources, the Independent Expert Review, and the successes secured by the Office, as well as the challenges we confront. I have found the discussions open, rich and productive. I am comforted by the fact that the Prosecutor Elect shares that view.

To facilitate our ongoing discussions and the Office’s ability to more freely share information with the Prosecutor Elect, we have also entered into a confidentiality agreement during this transition phase. This will assist us in our goal to ensure Mr Khan is as fully prepared as possible when he officially assumes office.

In addition to my own interactions with the Prosecutor Elect, we have arranged a series of meetings with the Office’s Senior Management, the OTP’s Legal Advisory Section, Services Section, and Information Knowledge & Evidence Management Section amongst other sections and services of the OTP. Additional in-depth briefings by the Office’s Divisions and Sections are envisaged, all with a view to ensuring that the Prosecutor Elect is as prepared as possible upon assuming his important functions, familiar with the dedicated team at the Office eager to assist him, and fully ready to engage his mandate come June.

As mentioned, I have welcomed the election of Mr Khan as the next Prosecutor and assured him of my full support and that of my team as he takes over the helm of the Office later this year.  I also wish, in the clearest terms, to allay any possible fears about potential conflicts of interest, real or perceived, that may be thought to affect Mr Khan upon his assuming office as the new Prosecutor of the ICC. Under his leadership, the Office will continue to discharge its vital mandate under the Rome Statute of combatting impunity, to deter international crimes, with independence, impartiality and objectivity.

ICC new prosecutor transition process.

The framers of the Rome Statute foresaw the possibility of potential conflicts of interest and provided for them in article 42(7) of the Statute, stipulating that “[n]either the Prosecutor nor a Deputy Prosecutor shall participate in any matter in which their impartiality might reasonably be doubted on any ground.” Mr Khan will apply this provision scrupulously whenever the circumstances require. In his correspondence with me, Mr Khan has informed me that he will recuse himself from any case, where a conflict of interest may be perceived to arise from his former representation of suspects or accused persons. He will have practical measures implemented to protect against any such risk, and the public can have complete confidence in the good faith and efficacy of this process, and Mr Khan’s unyielding commitment to his duties and responsibilities under the Rome Statute.

It is evident that Mr Khan and I share a joint conviction in the importance of the Court and a duty to serve its crucial mandate. When he assumes office as the Court’s new Prosecutor, I have no doubt he will continue to strengthen the OTP and to build on the accomplishments of the last nine years to advance the fundamental goals of the Rome Statute. He benefits from my confidence and the support of the Office as he sets out to do so.

A Follower of the Teachings of Maturidia

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
A Follower of the Teachings of Maturidia

By Jakhangir Zafarovich Kurbanov. 

At a new stage of development of our country, our government pays great attention to the restoration of national and religious values. In particular, our President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev; under the latter’s auspices, the Centre of Islamic Civilization is being established in Uzbekistan, and the Imam Bukhara International Research Centre in Samarkand. Future projects of these centres are an example of this new development. 

The establishment of these centres is also of great importance in the internationalisation process of our country. The world ought to become acquainted with the names of scientists born and raised upon this land. For the contribution of Independence, many of our scholars have been able to study the life and works of Abul Muin Nasafi on a scientific basis.

Uzbek leader in a conversation with religious figures noted that the works of our great ancestor are of great importance today, it is necessary to publish these works and bring their essence and meaning to the younger generation. In this complex, a hand-written copy of the Holy Quran is kept. It is made on Samarkand paper, decorated with calligraphic elements. 

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that such books are an invaluable heritage of our people, which must be carefully preserved. The famous scholar of theology, the thinker Abu Muin Nasafi was born in 1027 in Karshi (Nasaf). He studied here and perfected his knowledge. Abu Muin Nasafi lived in the XI century and was one of the prominent representatives of science akida.

President Shavkat Mirziyoev during his trip to Kashkadarya region on February 24- 25 at 2019 gave recommendations for the improvement of the mausoleum of Abu Muin, creating necessary conditions for pilgrims, as well as to build a library and translate the works of the scientist.

As he played an important role in the dissemination of the teaching of the Maturidia, founded by Abu Mansur Maturidi. Muin Nasafi in his works aimed at clarifying misconceptions about Islam, the struggle against religious fanaticism. He was buried in the Kovchin village of Karshi district. Abu Mu’in Nasafi died in 1114 in Samarkand. Abu al-Muin Nasafi is one of the great scholars of theology, and he was one of the scholars who greatly contributed to the spread of the doctrine of Maturidia, founded by Abu Mansur Al Maturidi. Educated by the great theologians Abu Al Hasan Al Ash’ari and Abu Mansur Al Maturidi, Abu Mu’in al-Nasafi, as a leading scholar in theology, wrote about 15 works on various aspects of theology. These include: “The basis of jurisprudential methods”; “The Mirror of Evidence in Theology”; “The only book for monotheistic rules in theology”; “Scientist and researcher”; “Substantiate reasoning with explanations and documentation”; “Imams’ approaches to law”; “Beliefs”. A manuscript of his oeuvre is being held at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan 8. “Bahrul-kalom” (“Word Sea”). 

His oeuvre is one of the most valuable sources on theology, which constitutes Islamic philosophy. His manuscripts are in libraries in Dubai, Damascus and Alexandria. Published in Baghdad in 1886 and in Cairo in 1908. 


Mr. Ravshan Makhamatalev, Mr. Roy Lie Atjam, Diplomat Magazine’s Editor and author of this article Mr. Jakhangir Zafanovic Kurbanov,

Among the works of Abul Muin Nasafi, which are kept in the libraries of the world, are the books is “Interpretation of the Fundamentals of Religion with Evidence according to the teachings of Imam Abu Mansur Maturidi”, which explains the doctrine of Maturidia with evidence. 

Uzbekistan

The scholar’s “Bahrul kalom fi ilmil kalom” is one of the main sources on theology of the Maturidi school. In conversation with the scholars, the head of our state stressed that the works of our great ancestor are still very important today, and it is necessary to republish them and pass their content to the younger generation. 

In the picture Mr. Jakhongir Kurbanov(author), Mrs. Kurbanova Fotima.D. Mr. Kurbanov Zafar M. and Mr. Kurbanov Asadbek.

References https://shosh.uz/mutafakkirlar-abu-muin-nasafiy-1027-1114/ http://uza.uz/uz/posts/prezidentimiz-abul-muiyn-an-nasafiy-ziyeratgo-idagi-bunyedko29-01-2018 https://kukaldosh.uz/25/03/2018/1054

About the author:

Jakhangir Zafarovich Kurbanov is a student of Uzbekistan State World Languages University

Women in Politics and Decision-Making: a long way ahead

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Women in Politics and Decision-Making: a long way ahead

By Tereza Neuwirthova.

On the joint occasion of the International Women’s Day, the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) , as well as the Dutch Parliamentary Elections, the Ambassador of Albania to The Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Adia Sakiqi organised a webinar for the Women Ambassadors Group as coordinator of the association. The online discussion that was organised in collaboration with Gender Concerns International, focused on the gender parity in governance and political leaderships.

In line with the “Women in Decision-making” theme of the 65th CSW, the webinar emphasised the related issue of existing structural barriers to women’s candidatures and political leadership roles. The keynote speaker of this event was Ms. Sabra Bano, the director of Gender Concerns International, and the Head of Mission of the women’s organisation GEOM (Gender Election Observation Mission). GEOM represents the largest female international team of election observers in action since 2008, which observes the elections according to international instructions and methodology. Remarkably, GEOM has observed the elections in Pakistan, Myanmar, Morocco, Tunisia, as well as the 2020 elections in Belarus and Myanmar from afar. The organisation funds its projects and missions through funding received from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In her presentation, Ms. Bano outlined the extraordinary work that the GEOM team has done on the ground by advocating for women’s political participation, especially in electoral spaces. The mission of GEOM is to identify the hindrances that exist in the systems in a number of countries, in which the system does not allow for an equitable women’s electoral  participation. Therefore, the organisation has developed the #EenopEen Campaign (1:1) to overcome unfair electoral practices and increase women’s access to electability.

Women in Politics by the Women Ambassadors Group.

Notably, in the 2021 Dutch parliamentary elections, 10 out of 37 parties are headed by a women, which is a great achievement in comparison to the previous elections, but also to many other countries. However, according to Ms. Bano, the experience shows that the main structural problem in the Netherlands is the candidature listings, an issue which requires an overhaul that would address the electability of women.

This is the aim of the “Vote for Women” campaign in the Netherlands, promoting the emerging consensus for a better political participation of women. Election Observation Missions have very promising effects on the gender initiatives of other civil society actors and organisations in many of the countries observed, and can eventually bring about changes in the governmental structures as well. What is more, the media are also very important agents of this change by submitting reports and recommendations to commissions.

In the words of Ms. Bano; “legislative gender parity in candidacy needs to become a norm, people should not think about the gender perspective when voting, and it should be based on the quality of the candidate, not whether the person is a man or a woman.”

After the presentation on the most noteworthy recent developments as well as achievements with regards to women’s participation in political leadership sphere, an interactive discussion with the attending women ambassadors ensued. This questions and answers part brought a fruitful discussion on a number of topics related to gender parity and female empowerment. For instance, H.E. Dr Hissa Alotaiba Ambassador of UAE remarked the quota system established in her country, which offers a partial solution to increasing women’s representation in the political sphere. H.E. Ambassador Sahar Ghanem of Yemen shared her views on the importance of the support of local communities and women’s organisations for enhancing the position of women in political spaces.

Furthermore, the discussion touched upon issues such as deep fakes and initiatives to ensure women’s safety, as well as legal ways of increasing female representation. The Ambassadors of Canada H.E. Lisa Helfand as well as Uganda Ambassador, H.E. Mirjam Blaak-Sow contributed with the examples from their countries.

After a debate rich on valuable contributions, H.E. Akia Saqiki emphasised the importance of GEOM’s work on the pressing issues raised, and expressed a hope for a positive influence of the Dutch elections on the future position of women in political spaces.

Among the ladies ambassadors present at this event were H.E. Ambassador Dr Hissa Alotaiba of UAE, H.E. Lisa Helfand Ambassador of Canada, H.E.  Mirjam Blaak Ambassador of Uganda, H.E. Sahar Ghanem Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Aiga Liepina Ambassador of Latvia, H.E.  Dubravka Markovic Ambassador of Croatia, H.E. Elizabeth Ward Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Laura Dupuy Lasserre Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Ksenija Milenkovic Ambassador of Serbia, H.E. Isabelle Berro-Amadei Ambassador of Monaco, H.E. Katerina Sequensova Ambassador of Czech Republic, H.E. Kaili Terras Ambassador of Estonia, H.E. Paivi Kaukoranda Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Rosa Batoreu Ambassador of Portugal.

Marco Tomasetta as Creative Director for Montblanc

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Marco Tomasetta as Creative Director for Montblanc

Monday, 1 March 2021: Marco Tomasetta succeeded Zaim Kamal in the capacity as Montblanc’s creative.

Tomasetta is a graduate of Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan. He shall be based in Paris, but will shuttle around Europe, given Montblanc’s various design and production sites. 

The Italian-born designer was most recently creative design director, men’s and women’s leather goods, at Givenchy, and he has also worked at Prada, Chloé and Louis Vuitton, racking up a slew of handbag patents. 

Founded in 1906, Montblanc is famous for its snow-cap emblem based on the famed Swiss mountain peak, which is found on products ranging from mobile phone covers and business cases, to its cigar-shaped pens, whose diamond-studded special editions can retail for more than 1 million euros. The brand also markets sunglasses, fragrances, jewellery, belts and other personal and desk accessories.

Montblanc is part of Compagnie Financière Richemont, best known for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and a clutch of elite Swiss watch brands including A. Lange & Söhne, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai and Vacheron Constantin.

For further information: 

Richemont: https://www.richemont.com/en/home/media/press-releases-and-news/20210219-montblanc-appoints-marco-tomasetta-as-creative-director

_________________

Picture by Montblanc – Marco Tomasetta

The Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Dr. Juan Bautista Durán

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
The Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Dr. Juan Bautista Durán

His Excellency Juan Bautista Durán, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, is known for his rich background encompassing political leadership, entrepreneurship, and significant academic accomplishments.

Ambassador Durán presented his credentials to HM Willem Alexander,  King of The Netherlands in March 17, 2021, since then his diplomatic efforts are directed towards enhancing the bonds between the Dominican Republic and The Netherlands, with a focus on fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.

His educational background includes a Specialty in Periodontal and Implant Surgery from the European Center, a Master’s in Orthodontics from the European Center, a Master’s in Public Health from La Havana University, and a Doctorate in Dentistry from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. He served as the Head of the Board of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo from 1983 to 1990. Additionally, he held the position of Professor of Master’s Degree in Public Health and Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo during the same period.

Prior to his diplomatic assignment, Ambassador Durán played an important role as the Coordinator of the political movement “United for Change in Europe.” This movement, affiliated with the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) of the Dominican Republic, underscores the significance of the diaspora in driving positive transformation within Dominican society. His leadership has contributed to the political growth and prominence of the PRM.

Ambassador Durán also served as the Vice-President of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) in Europe from 1995 to 2013, and as the General Director of the “Casa de la Cultura” in Spain from 2000 to 2004. This institution played an essential role in generating artistic and cultural projects for the Dominican community abroad.

Between 2009 and 2020, he established and presided over the “Verydents” dental clinics in Spain. He is the Founder of the first Ibero-American Congress of Dental Students, served as Vice President of the Dental Association of Spain, and acted as a Spokesman and Representative of the socialist block in Europe. Moreover, his engagement as a Member of the International Directorate of the World Youth Festivals and participation as a Delegate in 18 international youth events exemplify his dedication to global youth initiatives. He further contributed as an International Brigade member in Nicaragua, demonstrating his commitment to international solidarity.

Six new judges sworn in at the seat of the International Criminal Court

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Six new judges sworn in at the seat of the International Criminal Court

Left to right: New ICC judges Mr Gocha Lordkipanidze (Georgia), Ms Joanna Korner (United Kingdom), Ms Miatta Maria Samba (Sierra Leone), Ms Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor (Trinidad and Tobago), Ms María del Socorro Flores Liera (Mexico), and Mr Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez (Costa Rica) ©ICC-CPI

Six new judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) were sworn during a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague (Netherlands) early March. During the Ceremony, participants also bid farewell to the six outgoing ICC judges ending their terms. 

Judges Ms Joanna Korner (United Kingdom), Mr Gocha Lordkipanidze (Georgia), Ms María del Socorro Flores Liera (Mexico), Mr Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez (Costa Rica), Ms Miatta Maria Samba (Sierra Leone), and Ms Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor (Trinidad and Tobago) were elected for nine-year terms during the nineteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute in December 2020. 

The six judges made a solemn undertaking in open court before the President of the ASP, Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, stating: “I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a judge of the International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions and the secrecy of deliberations”.

ASP President Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi welcomed the new judges to the Court: “I wish the incoming judges a successful and rewarding experience at the Court. They can be proud and grateful for the opportunity they have been granted to take part in the development of a much needed global system of justice. The Court, with its weaknesses and strengths, continues to be a central part of that system and an indispensable piece of a rules-based international order.” 

Addressing the newly sworn-in judges, the President of the Court, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said: “Victims across the globe look to The Hague in hope of justice, when domestic courts fail to provide redress… the expectations are high, and the challenges can seem daunting at times. But I am confident that your stellar experience and stalwart antecedents will stand you in good stead to meet those expectations and challenges”.

Also attending the ceremony were the judges of the International Criminal Court, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, ICC Registrar Peter Lewis, and the Vice-President of the International Criminal Court Bar Association, Jennifer Naouri.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some of the participants attend the Ceremony remotely.

The contributions of six judges whose terms are coming to an end were recognised during the ceremony, these being Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji (President of the Court), Judge Robert Fremr (First Vice-President), Judge Howard Morrison, Judge Olga Herrera-Carbuccia, Judge Geoffrey Henderson and Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan.

The International Criminal Court has a bench of 18 judges who are nationals of States Parties to the Rome Statute. Judges are chosen from among persons of high moral character, impartiality and integrity who possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices. The election of the judges takes into account the need for the representation of the principal legal systems of the world, a fair representation of men and women, and equitable geographical distribution.

1...237238239...862Page 238 of 862