New constructivism needed towards Europe’s East

Diplomat Magazine
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New constructivism needed towards Europe’s East

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, International Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges. 

This highly anticipated conference gathered over twenty high ranking speakers from three continents, and the viewers from Australia to Canada and from Chile to the Far East. The day was filled by three panels focusing on the rethinking and revisiting Europe and its three equally important neighbourhoods: Euro-Med, Eastern and trans-Atlantic (or as the Romano Prodi’s EU Commission coined it back in 2000s – “from Morocco to Russia – everything but the institutions”); the socio-political and economic greening; as well as the legacy of WWII, Nuremberg Trials, the European Human Rights Charter and their relevance in the 21st century.

The event was probably the largest gathering since the beginning of 2021 for this part of Europe. 

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi.

The following lines are short transcript of what he has said opening the Vienna Process event: 

The COVID-19 (C-19) has brought numerous challenges to the table in terms of cooperation, adaptation but, mostly, resilience. As the crisis may be considered as a breaking point by some, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Excellency Várhelyi, insisted on the opportunity emerging from it for the European Union (EU) and Eastern Europe to reinforce their collaboration to build a more stable area of “shared democracy, prosperity, stability and peace”. 

Throughout the crisis, the European Union has been a key actor for Eastern Europe and its response to the virus, providing the region efficient economic and physical support, which has allowed thousands of lives to be saved. However, despite the necessity of this help, the European Union has more significant projects and ambitions regarding its relation with Eastern Europe states. 

In 2020, the EU issued a proposal on the Eastern partnership mostly focused on resilience which unfolds in five pillars. The first pillar is addressed to the reinforcement of investments in the economy and connectivity. It, notably, aims to “further enhance support to small and medium enterprises”. These are EU’s backbone, accounting for over 90% of the business activities; the EU hosts 24 million small businesses. This economic machine together generates more than half of the EU’s GDP. The EU has great interest to keep them afloat during the C-19 crisis. 

The EU parliament in December 2020 reported on the need for the Commission to reevaluate their support to these medium and small enterprises. They need more resources to overcome bureaucratic requirements that will exponentially burden their ability to thrive during and past C-19. Small businesses are recognized as indispensable to achieve innovative and sustainable goals. Examples of this are initiatives to incentivize companies to take up e-commerce, yet only 17% of the small businesses in the EU have digitized commerce.  

The second pillar is related to investments in the green transition. While Western Europe has demonstrated a positive approach regarding Paris Agreement goals, Eastern Europe seemed more reluctant. This attitude could be explained by their staple-based economy and by more significant matters on their plate, such as corruption and the reinforcement of the rule of law. Thus, the second pillar bridges with the first pillar since environmental issues should influence the investments and the development of small and medium enterprises and the development of the economic sphere. 

The third pillar is about investing in digital transformation. The digital world is continually evolving, and states need to adapt to this reality, especially considering it could be a pivotal instrument to get the economy back on track. The pandemic has been a great opportunity for countries to develop their digital sector. Enterprises have had to be ingenious and proactive in adapting their activities to this new reality, which could be a game-changer for the future. Countries will have to grasp this opportunity and make the best out of it. Investing in technologies could also be profitable to other goals that have been set, such as investments that need to be done in the reinforcement of the rule of law, credible justice reforms and efficient public administration (fourth pillar). Indeed, digitization of information combined with robust cybersecurity platforms is the key to more opened and more transparent administrations. In parallel, other strategies will need to be elaborated in order to enhance respect of the rule of law and reach democratic standards, in fact, a key point to the enlargement of the EU.

Finally, the fifth pillar is about investing in fair and inclusive societies. Eastern Europe countries are real mosaics in terms of ethnicities, religions and languages. Inequalities and social cleavages between these groups are still omnipresent in most Eastern Europe societies, and they need to be addressed to build a more united Europe. Several Eastern European states have elevated policies that bridge social ethical and cultural differences in the first place both in their national and EU integration political agenda. Indeed, bridging social gaps is a fundamental action in managing differences and for the upbringing of a healthy democracy.

The next reunion regarding the partnership will take place next fall and focus on three critical matters: recovery, resilience and reform. Although the COVID-19 crisis cannot forever guide interstates initiatives, its consequences have forced the world to adapt to several new realities. Consequently, European countries will need strong measures to recover, and those should be translated by measures addressing the creation of employment and economic growth to stay competitive in international markets. As the EU Commissioner Várhelyi mentioned, «socio-economic recovery is the absolute priority», so we should also be expecting opportunities to reform social and political norms to face not only new issues but also trends that were very present in the past that are now simply accelerating. 

About the authors:

Audrey Beaulieu & Eugene Matos De Lara

Eugene Matos de Lara, publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, is an International Private Law specialist of the University of Ottawa, Canada. 
Audrey Beaulieu is specialised in Public and Private International law, international development and global politics, she works at Globalization and Intl Development Department at the University of Ottawa, Canada. 
Ljubljana/Vienna/Ottawa, 11 March 2021  

____________________                                                                         

Footnotes:
[1] IFIMES – International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has Special Consultative status at ECOSOC/UN, New York, since 2018.

Germany Contributes €1M to Support OPCW’s Digital Resilience

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Germany Contributes €1M to Support OPCW’s Digital Resilience

In the picture, the Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Gudrun Lingner, and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

The Government of Germany has recently contributed €1M to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund for Security and Business Continuity.  

This specific funding will allow the OPCW to keep enhancing its digital preparedness from a business continuity perspective thus ensuring the Organisation is well prepared to meet current and future challenges. 

The contribution was formalised today during a ceremony between the Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Gudrun Lingner, and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, which was held at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. 

Ambassador Lingner remarked: â€śGermany has initiated informal consultations among States Parties to facilitate consensus on using virtual meeting modalities for the Policy Making Organs in emergency circumstances. For this purpose, the technological capabilities of the OPCW need to be enhanced. Germany has therefore decided to make a voluntary financial contribution of â‚¬1M to the OPCW Trust Fund for Security and Business Continuity. This contribution will allow the OPCW to become even more resilient and ready to meet current and future challenges. For an effective global ban on chemical weapons, we need a robust OPCW.” 

The Director-General stated: â€śThis very significant contribution will help the OPCW to upgrade its business continuity capabilities, which have profound implications for the integrity of our operations and are essential for the Organisation’s continued success. I am deeply grateful to the Government of Germany for once again showing its unwavering support to the Organisation and its mission to rid the world of chemical weapons.” 

ISS’ Development Studies MA ranked 1st in the Netherlands – 12th globally

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ISS’ Development Studies MA ranked 1st in the Netherlands – 12th globally

The university has been internationally recognized to be among the top-ranked globally and in the Netherlands for the Development Studies programme.

In the 2021 QS World University RankingsOpens external by subject, Erasmus University Rotterdam is ranked #1 in the Netherlands for its Development Studies programmes at the International Institute of Social Studies.

Additionally, the programme is now ranked 12th globally, a successful jump from its previous position at #32, solidifying ISS’ global and regional influence in academic rigour.

What are QS Rankings?

Each year the QS Rankings compares and contrasts universities per subject areas based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact through citations. As part of Erasmus University Rotterdam, ISS remains internationally recognized in the subject areas of Development Studies programmes and Social Sciences and Management.

Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani selected as ‘Global Young Leader’

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Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani selected as ‘Global Young Leader’

Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani. Picture by Qatar Financial Centre Authority.

Wednesday, 10 March 2021: The Forum of Young Global Leaders aligned with the World Economic Forum has selected for the Class of Leaders 2021, HE Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani. 

Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani is the first woman and youngest member appointed to Qatar Financial Centre‘s (QFC) Executive Committee in the capacity of Managing Director. She has contributed to QFC’s highest growth performance since its inception. 

Prior to joining the QFC, she led and contributed to the creation of thousands of jobs for Arab youth and provided economic assistance to marginalised communities (including refugees) in the Middle East and North Africa through her role as Qatar Country Representative and Director of its operations at Silatech. She is a member of the board of several companies, adviser to digital start-ups and owns several businesses in several industries. 

Sheikha Alanoud is a recipient of honours and awards, including the Young Arab Achiever and His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani Education Excellence awards in 2008, and 2012.

For further information 
Forum of Young Global Leaders: https://www.younggloballeaders.org/new-class?utf8=âś“&region=a0Tb00000000DCEEA2#results

HE Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad AL THANI: 

https://www.qfc.qa/en/why/management
https://diplomatmagazine.eu/?s=Alanoud

Piazzolla 100 years

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Piazzolla 100 years

“Music is the most direct art, it enters through the ear and goes to the heart”

11 March 2021 marks a century since the birth of Astor Piazzolla, the renowned Argentine composer and bandoneon player who lived from 1921 to 1992. Piazzolla is considered not only one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, but also one of the most important tango composers in the world.

He was born in Mar del Plata, but grew up in New York, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. There he learned to play the bandoneon and, in his musical quest, immersed himself in the jazz and classical music the city had to offer. 

In 1936, his family returned to Mar del Plata, and it was there that Astor decided to explore tango. As a teenager he joined the orchestra of AnĂ­bal Troilo (famous bandoneonist, composer, and tango bandleader) first as a bandoneonist and then became the orchestra’s arranger.

Between 1944 and 1946 he conducted the orchestra that accompanied the singer Francisco Fiorentino. In 1946 he composed “El desbande“, considered by himself his first tango with a different formal structure. In that year, he formed his own orchestra, which he disbanded in 1949, and began to write music for films. During this period, he moved away from the bandoneon and moved towards jazz.

In the 1950s he studied in Paris. Throughout his career he developed the “tango nuevo” style, combining traditional tango with elements of classical music and jazz. Between 1950 and 1954, he composed works clearly different from the traditional conception of tango, among them: “Tanguango“, “Prepárense“, and “Contrabajeando“. During this period he also wrote pieces of cultured music, such as “Rapsodia porteña” (1952) and “Buenos Aires, tres movimientos sinfĂłnicos” (1953). For the latter, he won the Fabien Sevitzky prize, and the French government awarded him a scholarship to study in Paris with the famous music pedagogue Nadia Boulanger, who convinced him to persist on the path of tango. The scholarship lasted almost a year, during which time he formed a string orchestra with Paris Opera musicians Martial Solal and Lalo Schifrin. With Schirfrin, he recorded “Two Argentinians in Paris” (1955).

On his return to Argentina, he formed the Octeto Buenos Aires. When his father died in 1959, he composed perhaps one of his most beautiful works in his honour: “AdiĂłs, Nonino“. The same song played on 2 February 2002 by the Dutch bandoneon player Carel Kraayenhof at the wedding of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.

In 1960, after Astor Piazzola’s brief stay in the United States, he deepened the fusion of jazz and tango, and created a tango quintet. In 1968, he composed, with the poet Horacio Ferrer, the little opera “MarĂ­a de Buenos Aires”, and in 1969, he began to write, also with Ferrer, songs for the voice of Amelita Baltar, his partner at that time. They composed “Balada para un loco“, which became a great popular hit and was followed by others.

In 1972, after a heart attack, he decided to settle in Italy for five years. He formed the Conjunto Electronico, recorded “Libertango” and experimented with his approach to jazz-rock. In 1974, he recorded Summit with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan; and, a year later, after AnĂ­bal Troilo’s death, the album Suite Troileana.

In 1978, he returned with his Quintet and consolidated his international fame with tours of Europe, South America, the United States and Japan. In 1983, at the Teatro ColĂłn, he offered a programme entirely composed by him.

In 1985, he was named Illustrious Citizen of Buenos Aires. In 1987, he gave a massive recital in Central Park (New York). In 1988, he recorded his last album with Quinteto La Camorra. In 1989, he formed Sexteto Nuevo Tango, with which he performed at the Teatro Ă“pera, toured and performed as a soloist until its dissolution at the end of that year.

On 4 August 1990, in Paris, he suffered a cerebral thrombosis that left him bedridden. He died on 4 July 1992, in Buenos Aires.

In the centenary year of Astor Piazzolla‘s birth, Diplomat Magazine pays tribute to the great maestro.

The EU Commissioner Várhelyi opening the Vienna Process event on Int Women’s Day

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The EU Commissioner Várhelyi opening the Vienna Process event on Int Women’s Day

New constructivism needed towards Europe’s East

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

This highly anticipated conference gathered over twenty high ranking speakers from three continents, and the viewers from Australia to Canada and from Chile to Far East. The day was filled by three panels focusing on the rethinking and revisiting Europe and its three equally important neighbourhoods: Euro-Med, Eastern and trans-Atlantic (or as the Romano Prodi’s EU Commission coined it back in 2000s – “from Morocco to Russia – everything but the institutions”); the socio-political and economic greening; as well as the legacy of WWII, Nuremberg Trials, the European Human Rights Charter and their relevance in the 21st century,

The event was probably the largest gathering since the beginning of 2021 for this part of Europe.

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. The following lines are short transcript of what he has said opening the Vienna Process event:

The COVID-19 (C-19) has brought numerous challenges to the table in terms of cooperation, adaptation but, mostly, resilience. As the crisis may be considered as a breaking point by some, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Excellency Várhelyi, insisted on the opportunity emerging from it for the European Union (EU) and Eastern Europe to reinforce their collaboration to build a more stable area of “shared democracy, prosperity, stability and peace”. 

Throughout the crisis, the European Union has been a key actor for Eastern Europe and its response to the virus, providing the region efficient economic and physical support, which have allowed thousands of lives to be saved. However, despite the necessity of this help, the European Union has more significant projects and ambitions regarding its relation with Eastern Europe states. 

In 2020, the EU issued a proposal on the Eastern partnership mostly focused on resilience which unfolds in five pillars. The first pillar is addressed to the reinforcement of investments in the economy and connectivity. It, notably, aims to “further enhance support to small and medium enterprises”. These are EU’s backbone, accounting for over 90% of the business activities; the EU hosts 24 million small businesses. This economic machine together generates more than half of the EU’s GDP. The EU has great interest to keep them afloat during the C-19 crisis. 

The EU parliament in December 2020 reported on the need for the Commission to reevaluate their support to these medium and small enterprises. They need more resources to overcome bureaucratic requirements that will exponentially burden their ability to thrive during and past C-19. Small businesses are recognized as indispensable to achieve innovative and sustainable goals. An example of this are initiatives to incentivize companies to take up e-commerce, yet only 17% of the small businesses in the EU have digitized commerce.  

The second pillar is related to investments in the green transition. While Western Europe has demonstrated a positive approach regarding Paris Agreement goals, Eastern Europe seemed more reluctant. This attitude could be explained by their staple-based economy and by more significant matters on their plate, such as corruption and the reinforcement of the rule of law. Thus, the second pillar bridges with the first pillar since environmental issues should influence the investments and the development of small and medium enterprises and the development of the economic sphere. 

The third pillar is about investing in digital transformation. The digital world is continually evolving, and states need to adapt to this reality, especially considering it could be a pivotal instrument to get the economy back on track. The pandemic has been a great opportunity for countries to develop their digital sector. Enterprises have had to be ingenious and proactive in adapting their activities to this new reality, which could be a game-changer for the future. Countries will have to grasp this opportunity and make the best out of it. Investing in technologies could also be profitable to other goals that have been set, such as investments that need to be done in the reinforcement of the rule of law, credible justice reforms and efficient public administration (fourth pillar). Indeed, digitization of information combined with robust cybersecurity platforms is the key to more opened and more transparent administrations. In parallel, other strategies will need to be elaborated in order to enhance respect of the rule of law and reach democratic standards, in fact, a key point to the enlargement of the EU.

Finally, the fifth pillar is about investing in fair and inclusive societies. Eastern Europe countries are real mosaics in terms of ethnicities, religions and languages. Inequalities and social cleavages between these groups are still omnipresent in most Eastern Europe societies, and they need to be addressed to build a more united Europe. Several Eastern European states have elevated policies that bridge social ethical and cultural differences in the first place both in their national and EU integration political agenda. Indeed, bridging social gaps is a fundamental action in managing differences and for the upbringing of a healthy democracy.

The next reunion regarding the partnership will take place next fall and focus on three critical matters: recovery, resilience and reform. Although the COVID-19 crisis cannot forever guide interstates initiatives, its consequences have forced the world to adapt to several new realities. Consequently, European countries will need strong measures to recover, and those should be translated by measures addressing the creation of employment and economic growth to stay competitive in international markets. As the EU Commissioner Várhelyi mentioned, “socio-economic recovery is the absolute priority”, so we should also be expecting opportunities to reform social and political norms to face not only new issues but also trends that were very present in the past that are now simply accelerating.

About Authors:

Audrey Beaulieu & Eugene Matos De Lara

Eugene Matos de Lara, publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, he is anInternational Private Law specialist of the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Audrey Beaulieu of the University of Ottawa (Globalization and Intl Development Department), specialised in Public and Private International law, international development and global politics.

Bavarian buttresses up Tunisia’s democratic evolution

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Bavarian buttresses up Tunisia’s democratic evolution

Monday, 8 March 2021, Free State of Bavaria-Republic of Tunisia: Bavaria’s Minister of State for International Affairs, Melanie Huml, and Tunisia’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment, Ali Kooli, signed an action plan for cooperation between the two countries. Tunisian Consul Mohsen Sebai was present at the signing ceremony held at the Bavarian State Chancellery. Minister Kooli and the Tunisian Ambassador Hanene Tajouri Bessassi were virtually connected.

The action plan, which runs until 2022, includes extensive measures. Bavaria and Tunisia will cooperate more closely in the promotion of democratic institutions, decentralisation, vocational training, tourism and the economy, universities, research and science, but also in issues of environmental protection and agriculture, internal security and justice, as well as health, youth and sports. 

As per statement below, State Minister Huml said: “It is important to us to stabilise the young democracy in Tunisia and to sustainably support the further democratisation process. Good mutual relations are of great interest to us. Therefore, we want to fill our cooperation with life through joint actions on the ground and, in particular, develop professional perspectives for the local people.” She announced that 10,000 rapid tests will be delivered to Tunisia to support the Corona pandemic response. The delivery is expected to take place this week.

Minister Ali Kooli: “The cooperation with Bavaria can serve us as a model for cooperation with other countries. The new plan covers key issues important to us and shows that our relations are maturing year by year.”

The country partnership between Bavaria and Tunisia has existed since 2012. In order to further intensify cooperation, a work programme is drawn up every three years that defines the focal points of cooperation. The current action plan is already the third. The signing originally planned for autumn 2019 had to be postponed due to Tunisia’s parliamentary and presidential elections and finally the Corona pandemic. However, implementation of the agreed projects and measures has already begun.

For further information 
Bavarian Government  https://www.bayern.de/staatskanzlei/staatsministerin-melanie-huml/

https://www.bayern.de/aktionsplan-bayern-und-tunesien-wollen-kuenftig-noch-enger-zusammenarbeiten-ministerin-fuer-internationales-huml-tunesien-stabilisieren-und-bei-demokratisierung-unterstuetzen/

Embassy of Tunisia in Germany (HE Ambassador Hanene Tajouri Bessassi): http://tunesien.tn/uber-uns/

___________________

Picture by Bayerische Staatskanzlei – Bavarian State Chancellery

Mayor of The Hague Visits OPCW

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Mayor of The Hague Visits OPCW

The Mayor of the Municipality of The Hague, H.E. Mr Jan van Zanen, met recently with the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. 

The Director-General and the Mayor discussed ways to further develop collaboration between the OPCW and the Municipality, particularly in raising awareness among The Hague citizens about the Chemical Weapons Convention and OPCW’s work. 

Director-General Arias briefed the Mayor on the progress of the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology. 

Mayor van Zanen stated: “We are proud of the fact that the OPCW is based here, in our city. In The Hague, tens of thousands of people – in more than 200 international organisations and research institutes – are hard at work to create a better world. The OPCW greatly contributes to The Hague’s reputation as the international city of peace and justice.” 

Director-General Arias expressed: “The OPCW is pleased to be located in The Hague, a city steeped in the tradition of international peace and justice. The Hague Municipality is not only our host but also a vital partner in a range of projects including the prestigious OPCW-The Hague Award. We also enjoy a very special relationship with our neighbours, particularly through the Municipality’s annual International Open Day, where we invite citizens to visit our Headquarters and learn more about our work.” 
Jan van Zanen, The Hague and OPCW Fernando Arias
Mayor van Zanen and Direcgtor General Arias.
Jan van Zanen, The Hague Municipality.

International Women’s Day: ICC appoints Focal Point for Gender Equality

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International Women’s Day: ICC appoints Focal Point for Gender Equality

Today, 8 March 2021, the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) joins the international community in marking International Women’s Day and seizes the occasion to announce the appointment of a Focal Point for Gender Equality at the Court.

“I am pleased to announce that the ICC has finalised the recruitment of the Court’s Focal Point for Gender Equality who will start her work today. This is a crucial milestone towards effectively improving gender-related issues in our institution,” said ICC President, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji.

The Focal Point will assist the Court’s Leadership in their efforts to strengthen gender related policies across the Court and to address issues related to employment conditions of women in the institution, including gender balance at all levels of employment. The Focal Point’s key functions will include monitoring the Court’s progress in strengthening gender equality; advocating on issues impacting women and gender; providing individual counselling; raising greater awareness through training programmes, workshops and events; and advising on gender parity targets.

“In 2021, together with the new Focal Point for Gender Equality, we intend to issue stronger policies on harassment and bullying and the disciplinary process to reinforce the Court’s zero tolerance policy for harassment in the workplace,” ICC Registrar Peter Lewis stated. “We have an obligation to continue to strive to ensure an atmosphere in which everyone feels safe to work at the Court, even more so because as a court of law, we have to ensure the highest standards apply,” he added.  

More broadly, with new leadership joining the ICC in 2021, including six new judges, a new President, and a new Prosecutor who will assume office in June, the Court will continue to work to integrate women’s perspectives in all of their diversity in the Court’s work and to give women equal opportunities. In this regard, the Court is also fully engaged in assessing the relevant recommendations of the Independent Expert Review, related to gender equality and experiences of women in the workplace.

The theme of International Women’s Day for 2021, â€śWomen in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” honours efforts by women worldwide towards a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Crisis, whether caused by COVID-19 or the many conflict situations where my Office conducts its activities, is never gender neutral. Women often bear the disproportionate brunt. The law can serve as powerful tool to empower and to protect women, and to ensure their voices are heard”, ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda stated. “My belief in the protective embrace of the law has been an intrinsic part of my work and personal commitment as a woman, as a lawyer and as ICC Prosecutor. We must guard against the eroding effects of the health crisis and policies that undermine the progress made, whether it is about women empowerment, the rule of law, or multilateralism. Equality for women and women empowerment translate into progress for all”, she added.

On this International Women’s Day, the Court’s principals also express their profound appreciation for the critical contributions of women across the ICC – at headquarters in The Hague as well as in country offices –  to the Court’s mandate under the Rome Statute.   

Ntaganda case: ICC Trial Chamber VI orders reparations for victims

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Ntaganda case: ICC Trial Chamber VI orders reparations for victims

Today, 8 March 2021, Trial Chamber VI of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) delivered in a public hearing its Order on Reparations to victims under article 75 of the Rome Statute in the case of The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda.

Judge Chang-ho Chung, Presiding Judge in the reparations proceedings, read a summary of the Order for reparations against Mr Ntaganda, to be made through the Trust Fund for Victims.

The Chamber, composed of Judge Chang-ho Chung, Judge Robert Fremr, and Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia, recalled the large scope of the case and the potential large number of victims eligible to receive reparations. In light of the circumstances of the case and bearing in mind the rights of the convicted person, the Chamber set the total reparations award for which Mr Ntaganda is liable at USD 30,000,000.

The Chamber also found Mr Ntaganda to be indigent for the purposes of reparations and encouraged the Trust Fund for Victims to complement the reparation awards to the extent possible within its available resources and to engage in additional fundraising efforts as necessary to complement the totality of the award.

The Chamber, established that, in light of the crimes for which Mr Ntaganda was convicted, eligible victims include: direct and indirect victims of the attacks, of crimes against child soldiers, of rape and sexual slavery, and children born out of rape and sexual slavery. It also defined the harms caused to victims, describing the great suffering and long-lasting consequences they suffered.

The Chamber noted that it decided to award collective reparations with individualised components, considering that they were the most appropriate type of reparations for this case, as they may provide a more holistic approach to address the multi-faceted harm suffered by the large number of victims eligible to receive reparations.

The modalities of reparations may include measures of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and satisfaction, which may incorporate, when appropriate, a symbolic, preventative, or transformative value. The Trust Fund for Victims was instructed to design a draft implementation plan on the basis of all the modalities of reparations identified in the Order, in consultation with the victims.

The Chamber noted that priority shall be given to individuals who require immediate medical and psychological care, victims with disabilities and the elderly, victims of sexual or gender-based violence, victims who are homeless or experiencing financial hardship, as well as children born out of rape and sexual slavery and former child soldiers.

The Chamber issued the Order particularly acknowledging the suffering of victims sexual and gender based violence and adopting additional Principles that should guide every step of the reparation process including, among others, a Gender-inclusive and sensitive approach to reparations, requiring the Court to give due consideration and address the specific needs of all individuals, without discrimination on the basis of sex or gender identity.

In its Order, the Chamber also set deadlines for the Trust Fund for victims to submit its general draft implementation plan by 8 September 2021, at the latest, and an urgent plan for the priority victims no later than 8 June 2021.

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