US steps up pressure on China in technology domain

Editor
-
0
US steps up pressure on China in technology domain

By Guido Lanfranchi.

Amid a souring in bilateral relations between the United States and China, Washington is stepping up its efforts to put pressure on Beijing by tightening the grip on China’s high-tech industry. The latest moves include the opening of a Taiwanese chip fabrication facility in Arizona, the establishment of the so-called “5G Clean Path Initiative”, as well as a tightening of the regulations preventing Huawei to source chips produced with US technology. 

A new deal with a world-renowned Taiwanese chip producer, a diplomatic initiative aimed at cutting Chinese companies off the developing 5G global supply chains, and a blow to Huawei’s capacity to develop cutting-edge technological devices. These three actions are the latest measures adopted by the United States administration in its pressure campaign aimed at weakening China’s stance in the domain of technology. 

These moves – which are part of a broader US strategy aimed at containing the perceived threats posed by China – were launched against the backdrop of the latest worsening in Sino-American relations, coming on the heel of the coronavirus outbreak. “The pandemic was born of the Chinese Communist Party’s three-pronged strategy of concealment, coercion, and cooption” – accused Keith Krach, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, adding that “countries and companies are awakening to the danger” posed by China’s actions. 

The first accomplishment announced by US officials concerns the opening of a new chip fabrication facility by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, a leading chip producer, in Arizona. Ian Steff, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, welcomed TSMC’s 12 billion investment, which he claimed will support “over 1,600 high-paying manufacturing jobs and thousands of additional jobs in the semiconductor supply chain”. Mr. Steff defined semiconductors’ production as a sector of “strategic national importance” and stressed that “the trend of offshoring critical manufacturing capacity in this sector must change now”.  

The second initiative launched by the US is the “5G Clean Path initiative”, which aims at ensuring that “all 5G data entering or exiting US diplomatic facilities transit only through trusted equipment” – Under Secretary Krach explained, calling on US allies to join the initiative. This move would exclude Chinese vendors, such as Huawei and ZTE, which the US administration sees as untrusted. 

The third leg of the US push focuses instead on tightening the Foreign Direct Product Rule, in an effort to “prevent Huawei from suing US equipment against US interests” – Acting Under Secretary of Commerce Codell Hull said. Under the new regulations, licensing requirements will be imposed “on items destined for Huawei that are produced on US-origin design or manufacturing tools” – explained Dr. Christopher Ford, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, who accused Huawei of being complicit in the development of an “authoritarian police state” in China.

In the face of these moves by the US administration, China is currently weighing in its response. In particular, Beijing is reportedly considering imposing restrictions on major US tech companies, such as Apple, CISCO, and Qualcomm. The suspension of Chinese airplanes purchases from Boeing could also be a form of retaliation – Reuters reported, quoting a report by China’s Global Times.


About the author:

Guido Lanfranchi is a student and young professional in the field of international affairs. He has pursued his studies both at Leiden University and Sciences Po Paris, where he is currently enrolled. In parallel, he has been gaining professional experience through internships (first at the Council of the European Union, and currently at Clingendael Institute), as well as by working as reporter and associate editor for Diplomat Magazine The Netherlands. His research and work focus on the Middle East and Africa, and especially on conflict situations in these regions.

The United States blockade against Cuba in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak

Editor
-
0
The United States blockade against Cuba in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak

The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, H.E. Ms. Soraya Alvarez Nunez.

Strengthening of the United States blockade against Cuba with remarkable extraterritorial effects in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak 

The Hague, 20 May 2020 – The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in the Kingdom of the Netherlands updates to the public, all interested institutions and friends about the strengthening of the application of the economic, financial and commercial blockade by the US government, with remarkable extraterritorial effects, against the Caribbean Island in the current circumstances of global health emergency of the Covid-19 outbreak. 

This economic, commercial, and financial blockade is the most unfair, severe, and prolonged system for more than 60 years of unilateral and illegal sanctions ever applied against any country and it has continued to be the central pivot of US government policy towards Cuba. No citizen or sector of the economy escapes the negative effects of this genocidal policy.

The latest examples of the application of the blockade measures against Cuba have been imposed in the current situation should be evaluated in the context of the last two years US government hostility policy about the Caribbean Island which includes additional obstacles to foreign trade, cooperation, and the increasing of extraterritorial persecution of Cuba’s banking-financial relations with the rest of the world.

The implementation of defamatory and slanders campaigns, the enforcement of the unconventional war measures, in particular, to impede the supply of fuel to the country with persecution to the companies, entities, and countries that intervene in this process.

Likewise, the US government has systematically lied and falsified on of the data on alleged licenses for operations of sales of medicines and food to Cuba, which are subjected to a complex, bureaucratically process, and deliberately it has been omitted the conditions imposed on Cuban purchases, that ignore any established rule of international trade and in practice prevent to realize it. These are some facts present in the existing scenario.

The current world sanitarian situation has generated an additional international demand from different actors, among them, governments, leaders and civil society that calls to put an end the blockade against Cuba and others sanctions regimes to countries. This has found deaf ears in the US government, which on the contrary has tried to confuse international opinion with alleged flexibilities to the sanctions regimes.

The allusions to humanitarian exceptions or relaxation on the blockade measures imposed by the US government on Cuba, for the “Provision of humanitarian assistance and trade to combat the COVID-19” are false. The Cuban government has publicly denounced it and has sufficiently documented with facts that the statements of US government officials are misleading and that they lie by insisting on the non-existing  of restrictions on medical exports to Cuba due to the application of the blockade. 

There are recent examples that show that the US blockade against Cuba has hindered, threatened, coerced, and prevented the normal acquisition by Cuba, through purchase or donation, of the medical supplies necessary to attend the health emergency caused by COVID-19. 

Among these examples you can find the following:   

  • The Chinese electronic giant Alibaba last March offered to health institutions in Cuba donations of medical supplies, such as masks, respiratory fans, and tests to detect the coronavirus and the US government frustrated it, with the threat to impose sanctions.
  • The Cuban medical company MEDICUBA informed last April that the company was unable to receive contracted pulmonary ventilators because manufactures IMT MEDICAL AG and ACUTRONIC had been acquired by Vyaire Medical Inc., a company based in Illinois, USA, which was informed that the blockade prevents sales to Cuba and therefore the company suspended the contracted sales.
  • The Swiss-Cuban Association and MediCuba-Switzerland reported last April that the banks had blocked the transfers of the donated funds that they had made to support the emergency aid project in Cuba to face the Covid-19 outbreak. 

There also to turn out that the US government has continued to allocate funds to attack the medical assistance that Cuba offers to countries in need, a tradition of solidarity and humanism policy that the Cuban Revolution has developed for more than 56 years in more than 164 countries. In these harsh circumstances, Cuba has continued to extend its aid to nations required support in the confrontation of the COVID-19. More than 20 Cuban medical brigades are contributing now to save lives around the World. 

It should also be mentioned due to its seriousness that Cuba is still waiting for the results of the investigation and measures on a grave terrorist attack committed against the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Washington last 30 April perpetrated by a man who used a semi-automatic assault rifle and shot 32 rounds against the Embassy. The US State Department and government chose to silence on this. The attack cannot be seen as a separate issue, but rather as a direct consequence of the aggressive policy, the hate speech and the permanent instigation to violence by US politicians against Cuba.  

Times of justice, cooperation, solidarity, and respect to international law are much needed than ever before. 

________________________

Photography by Kim Vermaat.

Qatar Financial Centre on the COVID-19 pandemic

Editor
-
0
Qatar Financial Centre on the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted families, livelihoods and businesses around the world.

We are confident of both our current steps to ensure business continuity throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, and also of our future once the current pandemic recedes. We can all recall recent challenges Qatar and the Qatar Financial Centre

 (QFC) have faced and overcome where we have emerged stronger than before. Today, again, we all face an impact on our operations, but nevertheless are convinced of our platform’s and our country’s ability to not only weather but navigate the current storm successfully.

“While Qatar will of course witness the impacts of COVID-19, we have faith in the resilient Qatari economy which is well-equipped to navigate turbulent conditions and withstand challenges, as well as the QFC platform where firms are continuing to turn to us to expand their business in Qatar. In fact, we are very quickly approaching our 1,000 firm milestone which is nearly two years ahead of the target date.

Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad AL THANI, Managing Director of Business Development – QFC

For further information: 
https://www.qfc.qa/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/QFC-Management-speak-on-the-COVID-19-situation.aspx

Image of HE Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani – Qatar Financial Centre Authority…

Swarovski announces creative director

Editor
-
0
Swarovski announces creative director

Swarovski is pleased to announce Giovanna Engelbert as Creative Director. Giovanna Engelbert will oversee the full creative direction of the company and re-imagine the product portfolio across all divisions.

First products designed by Giovanna Engelbert will be showcased in the Spring/Summer 2021 collection. 

“Our 125-year history is witness for the power of our company to transform and reinvent itself and I am pleased to welcome a brilliant creative mind and strong female leader like Giovanna to our company.

With her remarkable track record in the industry and compelling point of view, she will explore new frontiers and become a vital part in writing the next chapter of our success story”, says Robert Buchbauer, CEO Swarovski.

Picture and text by Swarovski 

Impact et conséquences de la crise du coronavirus. La ministre Kaag lance un appel pour une approche internationale.

Editor
-
0
Impact et conséquences de la crise du coronavirus. La ministre Kaag lance un appel pour une approche internationale.

Mme. Sigrid Kaag, ministre du commerce extérieur et de la coopération au développement.

« La crise révèle à quel point nous sommes dépendants les uns des autres. À quel point nous sommes liés, et vulnérables. Cette crise requiert, en conséquence, une approche internationale. Une approche qui soutienne autant que possible les pays fragiles. »

La ministre du commerce extérieur et de la coopération au développement, Sigrid Kaag, a partagé avec les ambassadeurs francophones des renseignements sur l’actualité de la crise au cours d’une réunion organisée en ligne, le 18 mai dernier, par l’ambassadeur d’Arménie, S.Exc. M. Tigran Balayan, en sa qualité de coordinateur du groupe des ambassadeurs francophones à La Haye. 

« La solidarité internationale est plus nécessaire que jamais », a déclaré la ministre, et cela pour deux raisons.

« La première est d’ordre moral : nous avons la responsabilité d’aider dans la mesure du possible les populations vulnérables à échapper au véritable désastre humanitaire qui les menace. 

La seconde est d’ordre rationnel : ce choix est dans notre propre intérêt commun ». Et la ministre de préciser que, si ces raisons pouvaient à première vue paraître  quelque peu contradictoires, elles ne l’étaient nullement en réalité.

S.Exc. Mme Laura Dupuy Lasserre, Ambassadeur de l’Uruguay.

Comme à l’accoutumée, le message de Mme Kaag a été clair et précis. Les ambassadeurs ont pu à leur tour formuler des observations sur des questions les intéressant plus particulièrement. Ainsi, l’ambassadeur d’Uruguay, S.Exc. Mme Laura Dupuy Lasserre, a plaidé pour une plus grande ouverture du commerce et l’abolition des quotas d’importation, afin  de soutenir l’économie internationale, et souligné la nécessité de lutter contre la montée du protectionnisme ; dans ce contexte, elle a appelé l’attention des participants sur les mesures restrictives qui entravent l’importation dans l’Union Européenne des viandes originaires d’Uruguay.

S.Exc. M. Luis Vassy, ambassadeur de France. Photographie par OPCW.

Pour sa part, S.Exc. M. Luis Vassy, ambassadeur de France, a abordé  la question du montant de la coopération en pourcentage du  PIB dans un moment de crise où les besoins sont plus importants que jamais.

« La crise du coronavirus aggrave la pauvreté, l’instabilité et l’insécurité dans les zones vulnérables du monde. Nous en connaissons tous les conséquences, notamment le terrorisme et les migrations clandestines. Au niveau international, nos économies sont tellement imbriquées que la récession mondiale provoquée par la pandémie a d’énormes répercussions – pour tous. 

Le FMI appelle cette crise « le grand confinement » : la pire récession économique depuis la grande dépression des années trente. Il prévoit une contraction de l’activité économique mondiale de l’ordre de 3 à 8 % » a indiqué la ministre. 

S.Exc. M.Abdel Sattar Issa, ambassadeur du Liban, a remercié la ministre Kaag pour sa collaboration dans le cadre de la situation prévalant actuellement au Liban. 

Les mesures progressives de confinement et de distanciation physique, ainsi que les dates de mise en œuvre de décisions  concrètes telles que  la fermeture des écoles, le travail à distance, l’interdiction des rassemblements ou encore les contrôles aux frontières, ont divergé d’un pays à l’autre. 

 Les courbes épidémiologiques ont à leur tour connu des progressions différentes. Aux Pays Bas, le contrôle des frontières sera d’application jusqu’à la mi-juin, et la ministre a souligné  que la priorité sera d’ouvrir les frontières vers l’Europe et à l’intérieur de celle-ci, tout en précisant  que la question était encore à l’étude. « C’est encore très tôt pour tirer des conclusions », a-t-elle observé. 

« Que vaut l’épreuve de force lancée contre le virus par les pays à l’intérieur de leurs frontières si elle ne s’accompagne pas d’une approche internationale ? 

Il est crucial de mener une action énergique, multilatérale et coordonnée, à deux titres au moins : afin de  réduire le risque d’une seconde vague de contamination ; et pour sortir de la récession. L’économie mondiale ne pourra réellement se redresser qu’une fois que tous les pays auront levé leur confinement. »

En effet, selon les mesures prises, les scientifiques prévoient la possibilité d’une deuxième, voire d’une troisième vague. 

Dans un avis publié en urgence la semaine dernière, à la demande de la chambre des représentants, le conseil consultatif pour les questions internationales (AIV) a insisté sur l’importance d’une approche coordonnée.

En parlant du rôle des Pays Bas dans le contexte de la crise mondiale causée par propagation du virus, Mme Kaag a noté ce qui suit : 

« Le développement futur de la pandémie dépendra en grande partie de la réaction des pays dotés d’un système de santé vulnérable, mais aussi de notre capacité à coopérer et à échanger des informations.

Le contexte de la lutte contre la maladie rend la crise prodigieusement complexe en Afrique et dans certaines parties du Moyen-Orient, en particulier dans les zones les plus fragiles et instables. En outre, comment lutter contre la propagation du coronavirus dans une zone de conflit ou un camp de réfugiés ? Le respect de la distanciation physique y est impossible.

Le confinement, la fermeture des frontières, la paralysie du commerce et la fuite des capitaux ont des conséquences extrêmement déstabilisantes dans les pays en développement : perte directe de revenus et pénurie alimentaire. » 

Le Programme alimentaire mondial des Nations unies, a-t-elle indiqué, annonce une famine aux proportions historiques ;  la pauvreté mondiale sera en nette augmentation, en particulier sous l’influence combinée des retombées de la pandémie de la COVID-19 et du changement climatique. 

« J’ai libéré début avril un budget de 100 millions d’euros en faveur de la prévention, de l’aide humanitaire d’urgence et de l’atténuation des dommages socioéconomiques dans les pays en développement» a-t-elle ajouté.

S.Exc. M. Abdelouahab Bellouki Ambassadeur du Maroc.

La  Ministre Kaag a également mis en exergue  les efforts du gouvernement néerlandais  en matière de préservation de la santé mentale et de soutien psychosocial. La semaine antérieure, les Nations Unies avaient mis la communauté internationale en garde contre l’impact de la pandémie sur la santé mentale. Le climat actuel d’anxiété, d’incertitude et d’instabilité socioéconomique entraîne en effet inévitablement une grande détresse psychique.

Enfin, l’ambassadeur du Maroc, S.Exc. M. Abdelouahab Bellouki, que la ministre a remercié de son intervention pour permettre aux néerlandais surpris par la fermeture des frontières de regagner les Pays-Bas, a souligné  que cette réunion en ligne constituait un moment historique.

S.Exc. M. Tigran Balayan, Ambassadeur de l’Arménie.

C’était de fait la première fois qu’une réunion de cette nature se tenait, et les participants ont été unanimes à exprimer leur appréciation et leur gratitude à S.Exc. l’ambassadeur Balayan pour avoir pris l’initiative et avoir veillé à l’organisation de cette réunion pionnière.

Portugal and Slovenia prepare for EU chairmanships

Editor
-
0
Portugal and Slovenia prepare for EU chairmanships

Ambassador Franc But & Ambassador Francisco Ribeiro de Menezes – Image by Slovenian Embassy to Germany.

Thursday, 14 May 2020, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to the Federal Republic of Germany: Portugal’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Mr. Francisco Ribeiro de Menezes and Slovenia’s Ambassador H.E. Mr. Franc But met in Berlin to discuss further activities in the framework of the German-Portuguese-Slovenian presidency trio. A focus was given to potential digital engagements. 

This novel trio begin with Germany taking the helm of the European Council from July 2020, followed by Portugal from January 2021, and subsequently Slovenia in July 2021. Incumbent holder of the presidency is Croatia, for the very first time. 

Portuguese Ambassador Ribeiro de Menezes was accredited on 19 February 2020 before the German Federal President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. 

For further information: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_the_Council_of_the_European_Union

Mechanism fugitive Félicien Kabuga arrested today

Editor
-
0
Mechanism fugitive Félicien Kabuga arrested today

Arusha, The Hague, 16 May 2020 – Today, Félicien Kabuga – one of the world’s most wanted fugitives who is alleged to have been a leading figure in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda – was arrested in Paris by French authorities as the result of a joint investigation with the IRMCT Office of the Prosecutor.

In reaction to today’s arrest, Mechanism Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated:

The arrest of Félicien Kabuga today is a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even twenty-six years after their crimes.    

Our first thoughts must be with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Advocating on their behalf is an immense professional honor for my entire Office.

For international justice, Kabuga’s arrest demonstrates that we can succeed when we have the international community’s support. This result is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of the United Nations Security Council, which established the Mechanism to continue the accountability process in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

I would like to extend our appreciation to France and its law enforcement authorities, particularly the Central Office for Combatting Crimes Against Humanity, Genocide and War Crimes and the Office of the Procureur Général of the Paris Cour d’Appel. This arrest could not have been made without their exceptional cooperation and skill.

It is important to also recognize the many other partners whose contributions were essential, including law enforcement agencies and prosecution services from Rwanda, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United States, EUROPOL and INTERPOL. This arrest demonstrates the impressive results that can be achieved through international law enforcement and judicial cooperation.

Earlier this year my Office visited the Ntarama genocide memorial in Rwanda to honor the memory of the victims and renew our commitment to justice. Today’s arrest underlines the strength of our determination.

Kabuga was indicted by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1997 on seven counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution and extermination, all in relation to crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Following completion of appropriate procedures under French law, Kabuga is expected to the transferred to the custody of the Mechanism, where he will stand trial.

French police arrested Kabuga in a sophisticated, coordinated operation with simultaneous searches across a number of locations.

_____________________

Image by Portraitor from Pixabay.

Annexation is at our doorstep – it is time to act

Editor
-
0
Annexation is at our doorstep – it is time to act

By H.E. Rawan Sulaiman, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands.

Today, May 15th, we Palestinians commemorate the catastrophe (al Nakba), the forced expulsion and displacement by Zionist militias of about three quarters of the Palestinian population from their cities and villages, making them refugees. Also my own family was made a refugee; forcibly moved out of Jaffa. Seventy two years of segregated life under military rule, occupation, and in refugee camps is what has followed. Also today,  the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs will convene to discuss the threat of annexation; Israel’s next step in its colonial conquest of Palestine that was recently agreed upon by its new government and facilitated by the Trump administration’s so-called ‘Peace Plan’. 

The fact that annexation is now at the table should not come as a surprise to anyone, as by its actions Israel has proven again and again to be interested only in stealing  maximum Palestinian land with  minimum Palestinian remaining on it. By this design, Israel has ensured confinement of Palestinians in the areas where they already lived, while promoting the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and their associated regime. Now only 13% of East Jerusalem is zoned for Palestinians, mostly already built-up, and only 1% is left of the so-called Area C, which represents 60% of the West Bank, all the while illegal Israeli settlements spread all over Palestinian territory. 

On this land there are now two sets of rules and rights dividing two peoples. It needs no reminding that in this conflict, one party is the inherently violent occupier, a system established and maintained by military force, while the other is confined and occupied, deprived of its basic human rights, sovereignty and freedom. A situation resembling Apartheid. 

To obscure this reality, aggressive and coordinated campaigns of our oppressor and their supporters have been set up to continuously rewrite history, framing us as; violent, barbaric and anti-Semitic. The other myth, that Palestine was ‘empty’ before it was ‘made to bloom’, persists even today in the form of disregard and denial of our existence; our history, our heritage and our nationality. These distractions and myths are pushed aggressively, as without them it becomes impossible to defend the current situation with rational, moral and legal arguments. 

If one does not remember and acknowledge the severity of the catastrophe of what the Nakba was, namely the loss of our historic homeland, one cannot comprehend the magnitude of the sacrifice Palestinians agreed to when giving up 78% of it, in the hopes of finding peace in the form of the two-state solution. 

This internationally agreed solution for us is not a goal in itself, but justice and peace, in that specific order, are. 

Now, even this historic compromise is openly rejected and subverted by Israel in the pursuit of further annexation of Palestinian territories, in ultimate breach of any commitment to peace,  international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, and the UN Charter.

The international community was clear in its condemnation of Israel’s illegal actions. The Security Council, the General Assembly, the International Court of Justice, and now the ICC Prosecutor, all converged in their stance on the illegality of these policies and practices and in their call on Israel to put an end to them. But these calls have been disregarded.

The International consensus was clear, but because it was never followed up with consequences, Israel proceeded in its course at will. A bully condemned without consequence only feels emboldened. They see that others recognize their power, but since they go unchallenged, they continue to claim, seize, and steal whatever they wish through threat or use of violence. Colonial powers never act out of goodwill. The cost of the enduring occupation, now more than ever, needs to outweigh its benefits. 

What is more at stake, are fundamental principles of the rules-based multilateral order, that have always and unequivocally been upheld by international responsible players such as the Netherlands and the EU. These principles include the absolute inadmissibility of the acquisition of land by force, and with it the prohibition of annexation. What will be done to uphold the credibility of this principle, when Israel proceeds with annexation nevertheless? As a member of the Quartet, the EU is a key player in making sure that we salvage the two-State solution before it is too late, as the alternative is perpetual conflict and a system of subjugation and discrimination against a population confined in fragmented areas, akin to Apartheid. No country of moral standing can remain friends with such a situation. 

The Nakba is commemorated each year by every Palestinian because the wound is still open and the instruments of oppression and expulsion are still active. Those who were made refugees still did not see their right of return, enshrined in international law, respected and fulfilled. Nevertheless, we have unequivocally declared our readiness to immediately resume peace negotiations under international auspices and based on the longstanding terms of reference, building on the progress achieved in previous rounds of negotiations.

The State of Palestine has proposed the convening of an international peace conference that can provide the necessary impetus and momentum for these negotiations that should lead to a final peace agreement resolving all final status issues within one year. That is the path we should be engaged in, and that can only happen if the path to annexation is blocked. 

_____________________

Photography by Martijn de Rooi.

News from the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands

Editor
-
0
News from the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands

In the picture H.E. Mr, Peter Hoekstra and his wife Diane.

The Embassy of the U.S. in The Hague published a fresh new online newsletter today with the latest reports about their activities. In the welcome address, the Ambassador of the USA, H.E. Mr, Peter Hoekstra and his wife Diane stressed that “Staying in touch is now more important than ever.”

This newsletter will become a periodic update on U.S. policy, the Dutch-American relationship, and happenings at the Embassy in The Hague and Consulate in Amsterdam.

“Our first note will be a disappointing one.” said ambassador Hoekstra “For us, the Independence Day celebration has always been a time to connect with our friends. It is a highlight for all of us at the Embassy. Unfortunately, this year it will need to be canceled. We want to be in total support of the Dutch government’s efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic. “ 

ICC assigns Venezuela’s cases to Pre-Trial Chamber III

Editor
-
0
ICC assigns Venezuela’s cases to Pre-Trial Chamber III

The Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Jorge Arreaza, announced that the case presented by Venezuela before the International Criminal Court earlier this year, which concerned the imposition of unilateral US sanctions on his country, has been assigned to the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber III.

Mr Arreaza had come to The Hague last February 13th to present a formal request to the ICC’s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, asking the Court to investigate US unilateral sanctions imposed on Venezuela as crimes against humanity.

The referral, consisting of a 60 pages long briefing, detailed the negative impact of the US sanctions on the Venezuelan economy – an impact that, according to the Venezuelan government, amounted to a violation of the human rights of the Venezuelan people, and specifically their right to health, food, and economic development. 

“It is an economic war against the peoples who want to make their own decisions and who are willing to do anything to assert their sovereignty and self-determination. Sanctions are a means of achieving a change of government, with a terrible, devastating impact on the people of Venezuela. This is similar to the persecution of the Jewish people during the holocaust. ” he explained.

The Venezuelan Foreign Minister gave an example of private Venezuelan business people whose accounts in the US and Europe are closed without reason.He also mentioned unilateral coercive measures against VIASA, the national airline that has more than 2,000 workers.

“It’s persecution; it’s a modality that includes the use of force through the economy; it is a war through the economy, which generates death, destruction and disease in Venezuela.  We came today to present our demand before the ICC; thus using international law we can all stop the barbarism that is causing the US Government. We ask the ICC to determine responsibilities and prosecute those responsible for the suffering of the Venezuelan people.”

The Foreign Minister explained that Venezuela, as a member of the ICC, could denounce the alleged crimes taking place on its territory, thus falling within the jurisdiction of the court – which was created to punish international atrocities such as war crimes and genocide.

During his short stay in The Hague, Mr Arreaza talked to the media after his visit at the ICC. In this context, he stressed that “the consequences of US coercive unilateral measures are crimes against humanity, a death sentence for tens of thousands of Venezuelans per year and violate both international laws and the United Nations Charter.” 

To follow-up the referral by Venezuela, the International Criminal Court opened a preliminary investigation on February 19th, resulting in the current assignment of the case to Pre-Trial Chamber III.

Over time, the US has been imposing increasingly broader and tougher sanctions on Venezuela, targeting the government in Caracas and supporting instead the leader of the political opposition. The latest rounds of economic sanctions have been enacted through executive orders, in which the US has accused Venezuela of “human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions.”

The sanctions prohibit the Venezuelan government from accessing their accounts in the US and cut the ties between the US and the Venezuelan markets, including in the trade of oil and other goods. 

While the current investigation focuses on crimes allegedly suffered by Venezuela, the ICC also has an already ongoing investigation into crimes allegedly committed by the Venezuelan government. The investigation – which has been assigned to the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the Court in September 2018 – came to birth after six American states (Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru) filed a request alleging crimes committed by the Venezuelan government in the context of the demonstrations and the political unrest takin place in the country, and especially the use of force against political opponents. 

In line with these states’ claims, Human Rights Watch has also claimed that Venezuelan security forces have tortured and killed civilians, using excessive force against them.

In particular, it has been alleged that state security forces have frequently used excessive force to disperse and put down demonstrations, and that they have arrested and detained thousands of members of the opposition – several of whom have been allegedly subjected to severe abuse and ill-treatment in detention. It has also been reported that some groups of protestors used violent methods, resulting in members of security forces being injured or killed.

On February 19th, the ICC decided to assign both requests, the first from the group of American Countries against Venezuela and the second from the government of Venezuela against the United States,  to Pre-Trial Chamber III.

 “Legal decision by the International Criminal Court assigning the complaint presented by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (referred by the Court’s Prosecution),” tweeted Minister Areaza.

____________________

In the picture Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Jorge Arreaza.

1...318319320...879Page 319 of 879