ICC Prosecutor briefs annual ministerial meeting at the UN

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ICC Prosecutor briefs annual ministerial meeting at the UN


ICC Prosecutor briefs annual ministerial meeting, at the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, expresses gratitude for strong show of support

On 23 September, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, addressed the annual ministerial meeting of the Informal Ministerial Network for the ICC (“IMN”) in the margins of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (“UNGA”).

The event hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture of the Principality of Liechtenstein, H.E. Dr. Katrin Eggenberger, and Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations in New York, was organised in virtual format this year in light of the global pandemic. The IMN is a network of over 30 Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and other high officials, representing regional groupings of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC. The annual meeting of the IMN provides an important platform for high level engagement for the Prosecutor and the Court during the United Nations High-Level week. 

In thanking IMN members, as well as the representative of the European Union present, for their continued, clear and unyielding support for her Office and the ICC, the Prosecutor recalled that “the integrity of the Rome Statute system of independent, international criminal justice cannot be allowed to be undermined under duress”, emphasizing that “accountability for atrocity crimes, and the ICC as a crucial embodiment of that necessary objective, is an essential pillar of a rules-based multilateral order.” She underscored: “along with my Office, we have without fail payed homage to the Rome Statute with utmost integrity and professionalism, led by a sense of unflinching responsibility towards our independent and impartial mandate, solely by the dictates of the Statute. That commitment will continue.”

For their part, the members of the IMN renewed their commitment to support the Prosecutor and her Office, and the Court more generally in the fight against impunity. In welcoming the Prosecutor’s intervention, the Chair and convener of the IMN, H.E. Minister Eggenberger, stated: “[w]hile we continue making public statements of support for the Court, including in our UN General Debate statements this week, we must also continue to provide practical support to the ICC in its effort to ensure business continuity and to address the challenges it now faces.”

NRW and Silesia strengthened ties

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NRW and Silesia strengthened ties

In the picture far left, Marshall Jakub Chełstowski and far right Dr. Holthoff-Pförtner – Picture by Tomasz Żak, UMWS.

Tuesday, 29 September 2020, Katowice, Silesia, Republic of Poland: North Rhine-Westphalia’s Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs, travelled to Poland to mark the 20th anniversary of the partnership between North Rhine-Westphalia and Silesia and to partake in a dialogue on the rule of law and European values. 

During meetings with Jakub Chełstowski, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship, and representatives from politics, culture, science, business and civil society in Katowice, the Minister thanked all those involved who contribute to the success of the partnership: “Our lively and active relationship thrives on the commitment of a wide range of actors. Political dialogue alone does not make a partnership. Municipalities, associations, schools, experts, artists and many others fill our cooperation with life”. 

With a view to the 30th anniversary of German Unity on 3 October 2020, the Minister underlined Poland’s great contribution to the fall of the Iron Curtain: “Poland’s struggle for freedom, from the founding of the trade union ‘Solidarność’ in 1980 to the Round Table in 1989, made German reunification and the enlargement of the European Union possible in the first place. We have every reason to be grateful to Poland.

The friendship between Silesia and North Rhine-Westphalia ties in with this common historical heritage, among other things. This heritage gives rise to a shared responsibility for the future of Europe”. To deepen cooperation with Silesia and dialogue, the Minister metin Katowice the Mayor Marcin Krupa, the Evangelical Bishop of Katowice diocese Marian Niemiec and the former judge and rule of law activist Jarosław Gwizdak.

The minister: “A sign of our close and diverse partnership is to openly address issues such as the rule of law and tolerance, with government representatives, opposition representatives and civil society actors. For Germany, Europe is a community of values, which is why we are committed to a common understanding of the rule of law”. In Krakow, Minister Holthoff-Pförtner continued this exchange with the former Polish Minister of Justice Prof. Zbigniew Ćwiąkalski and with the Deputy Marshal of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship Tomasz Urynowicz. NRW and Silesia 
North Rhine-Westphalia has for many years worked closely with the Silesia region and the French region of Hauts-de-France within the regional Weimar Triangle. 

Silesia, with its capital Katowice, is one of the 16 voivodships of the Republic of Poland and has about the same population as the Ruhr area. The region lies in the south of Poland and borders on the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Among Poland’s regions, Silesia has the highest population density and the highest degree of urbanisation. At the same time, it is the most industrialised part of Poland (Silesia accounts for 17 percent of Poland’s industrial production) in the sectors of coal mining, iron and heavy metal works, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and the automotive industry.

For further information:
Government of North Rhine-Westphalia: https://mbei.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/europaminister-holthoff-pfoertner-reist-nach-polen-wuerdigung-der-partnerschaft-mit
Silesian Voivodeship: https://www.slaskie.pl/content/wspolpraca-buduje-rozwoj-

Monaco Contributes €10,000 to OPCW’s Trust Fund for Syria Missions

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Monaco Contributes €10,000 to OPCW’s Trust Fund for Syria Missions

THE HAGUE, Netherlands–25 September 2020–The Principality of Monaco is contributing €10,000 toward supporting the activities of the Trust Fund for Syria Missions at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which includes the work of the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) and the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM).

The Fund supports the Organisation’s special missions and contingency operations related specifically to the Syrian Arab Republic. Monaco’s contribution aims to assist in full elimination of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Programme and clarification of facts related to the alleged use of chemical weapons, in accordance with the relevant decisions of the policy-making organs of the OPCW. The funds will support the DAT and the FFM.

H.E. Ambassador Isabelle Berro-Amadei, and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

The voluntary contribution was formalised yesterday with an agreement signed by the Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Isabelle Berro-Amadeï and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, at the Organisation’s headquarters in The Hague.

Ambassador Berro-Amadeï remarked: “The Principality of Monaco will continue, as it has always done, to support the efforts of the OPCW to free the world from the threat of chemical weapons. Since 2016, this support has been demonstrated by a voluntary contribution to the Special Trust Fund for Syria Missions.”

Expressing his gratitude for Monaco’s contribution, the Director-General emphasised the country’s commitment to the norms and principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and its full implementation by all State Parties. “Voluntary contributions such as Monaco’s make it possible for the Organisation to continue its crucial work in Syria,” stressed the Director-General.

Marián Jakubócy pays courtesy visit to Bavaria

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Marián Jakubócy pays courtesy visit to Bavaria

Marián Jakubócy & Dr. Florian Herrmann – Picture by bayern.de, bayerische Staatskanzlei.

Monday, 28 September 2020, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: Slovak top envoy to Germany, Ambassador Marián Jakubócy was received for a maiden call in the Bavarian state by the State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media at the State Chancellery for their first bilateral conversation. 

Focus of the tête-à-tête was the strong presence of Bavarian enterprises throughout Slovakia, however there are still domains in scientific research and innovation that remain unexplored. 

For Ambassador Jakubócy, Bavaria is particularly special as he read courses at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the same federal state. 

Ambassador Jakubócy is fluent in the German, English, Russian as well as Bulgarian languages, and was previously the Director General of the Political Section at the Slovak Foreign Ministry (2017-2019).

Between 2013 and 2017 he was Slovakia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria. The career diplomat joined the Slovak Foreign Service in 1995. 

For further information 
Government of Bavaria: https://www.bayern.de/service/fotoreihen/?frid=in142954&fbclid=IwAR1-hP63xk84PI07cKcGrbdSNFXqaW4LIlf99lOqBpYJj_TOFtWfDOq-CdY

Accrediation of Ambassador Jakubócy to Germany: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2020/01/15/slovak-ambassador-jakubocy-accredited-to-germany/

Arrest and transfer of Hysni Gucati

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Arrest and transfer of Hysni Gucati

Following his arrest by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office on 25 September 2020, Hysni Gucati was transferred to the Detention Facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect for offences against the administration of justice, namely intimidation of witnesses, retaliation and violation of secrecy of proceedings, according to the Kosovo Criminal Code, by virtue of Article 15(2) of the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, Law No. 05/L 053.

Information about the date and time of the first appearance of Hysni Gucati before the Pre-Trial Judge will be announced in due course. The first appearance will be a public hearing and can be followed by video streaming via https://www.scp-ks.org/en with a short delay.

Specialist Prosecutor’s Office arrests Nasim Haradinaj

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Specialist Prosecutor’s Office arrests Nasim Haradinaj

Nasim Haradinaj was arrested yesterday in Kosovo by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, pursuant to an arrest warrant and transfer order issued by a judge of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

Under the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, police within the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office shall have the authority and responsibility to exercise powers given to Kosovo police under Kosovo law. The Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office also provides that persons against whom an arrest warrant of the Specialist Chambers has been issued shall be taken into custody.

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) provided operational and logistic support to the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) in line with its mandate and in accordance with the Kosovo legislation.  The Kosovo Police (KP) also provided operational support to the SPO.

Picture: Detention Facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

13th Arab-German Health Forum

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13th Arab-German Health Forum

21-22 September 2020, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalen (NRW), Germany: Premier of NRW, Armin Laschet, inaugurated the thirteenth Arab-German Health Forum organised by the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ghorfa) which dealt with ways to develop the Arab-German partnership in the field of medical care and accessibility to German technology and know-how in developing the health sector in the Arab countries, which is witnessing important transformations, especially in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

Premier Laschet likewise stressed the importance of North Rhine-Westphalia, being the largest economy amongst the states of Germany, as well as the importance of strengthening relations with the countries of the Arab world not only in the field of health, but in various economic fields.

Within the framework of the first session of the forum, which dealt with the topic “How the Covid-19 epidemic will change the health care system: the effects of learning on the health care system,” the Minister of Economy, Innovation, Digitisation and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, Professor Andreas Pinkwart, stressed that the state of North Rhine is one of the places Attractive for medical tourism for Arab citizens, praising in this context the holding of a health forum in the state capital, which will contribute to deepening and strengthening the partnership in the medical care sector between the countries of the Arab world and Germany in general and the North Rhine state in particular. 

For further information 
Ghorfa: https://ghorfa.de/ar/الملتقى-الصّحي-العربي-الألماني-الثال/?fbclid=IwAR0FSbgZAAu5xvDP48b9msdd5EbVCKqWWLTyRQnmrdKDkw_0mY3catvdhzc

On Dubai TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBf9JRt3TDo&feature=youtu.be

——————


On the image, first row from l.t.r.: Ghorfa Secretary General, Abdulaziz Al Mikhlafi; Khalfan Al Matrooshi, Head of Economic Department at the UAE Embassy to Germany and Croatia; Premier of NRW, Armin Laschet; Ghorfa President, Dr. Peter Ramsauer; Ambassador of Yemen, Dr. Yahia Mohammed Al Shaibi; Ambassador of Kuwait, Najeeb Al Bader; Ambassador of Morocco, Zohour Al Alaoui. Second row from l.t.r.: Ambassador of Bahrain, Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla; Ambassador of Palestina, Dr. Khouloud Daibes; Ambassador of Jordan, Basheer Zoubi; Secretary at the Embassy of Qatar, Shafi Al Hajri. 

Tonga accredites first ever ambassador to Luxembourg

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Tonga accredites first ever ambassador to Luxembourg

The Hon Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tu’ivakano and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg – Picture by Cour grand-ducale, Sophie Margue.

Friday, 25 September 2020, Luxembourg City, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Luxembourg accepted the letters of credence of the Kingdom of Tonga’s very first ambassador -non resident- to the Grand Duchy, HE The Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tu’ivakanō (b. 1978). 

Since 2018 The Hon Fanetupouvava’u Tuita Kaho represents the Friendly Islands in the United Kingdom after having served in her homeland from 2012 to 2018 as Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Kingdom of Tonga. 

The Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u’s father, Chief and IX Lord Tuita of ʻUtungake, The Honourable Siosa’ia Ma’ulupekotofa Tuita himself once served as High Commissioner of Tonga to the United Kingdom between 1989 and 1992.

The Ambassador holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology alongside a postgraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies. During the meeting with Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, she expressed her utmost desire to be able to work firmly on deepening the ties between Luxembourg and Tonga in spite of the long distance between the two royalties. 

One much important success during the tenure of The Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u is the fact that the UK is reopening a high commission in Nuku’alofa this year after having closed down in 2006 owing to budget constrictions. 

For further information 
Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg: http://www.monarchie.lu/fr/actualites/evenements/2020/09/25092020-accreditations-ambassadeurs/index.html
Accreditation to St James’s Court: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2018/07/03/42140/

The Mechanism Registrar hosted talks in Arusha

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The Mechanism Registrar hosted talks in Arusha

The Mechanism Registrar meets with the President of the East African Court of Justice and the Arusha Regional Commissioner


Arusha, 24 September 2020 – In the spirit of promoting greater collaboration and partnerships between the Arusha Branch of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) and other judicial institutions hosted in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the local authorities in Arusha, the Registrar of the Mechanism, Mr. Abubacarr Tambadou this week paid courtesy visits on the President of the East African Court of Justice (“EACJ”), Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, and the Regional Commissioner of Arusha, Honourable Iddi Hassan Kimanta on 22 and 24 September 2020 respectively.

In welcoming Registrar Tambadou back to Arusha, Honourable Kimanta congratulated him on his recent appointment by the UN Secretary General as Registrar of the Mechnism and re-assured him of the continued support to and collaboration of the Arusha local authorities with the Mechanism.

Registrar Tambadou reiterated his gratitude for the excellent support and cooperation that the Mechanism and its staff continue to receive from the Arusha local authorities particularly on law enforcement. In this regard, Registrar Tambadou informed the Regional Commissioner that the Mechanism will, in the coming weeks, be handing over a newly constructed Police Post for the Arumeru District to be located in the Kisongo area in order to facilitate the Police support to the Mechanism and the area at large. 

IRMCT Registrar, Mr. Abubacarr Tambadou and the Regional Commissioner of Arusha, Honourable Iddi Hassan Kimanta

The Regional Police Commander for Arusha, Mr. Salum Hamduni, and the Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr. Richard Kwitega both graced the meeting.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, 22 September 2020, Registrar Tambadou paid a courtesy visit on the President of the East African Court of Justice (“EACJ”), Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja. President Ugirashebuja congratulated Registrar Tambadou for his recent appointment as Registrar of the Mechanism and reiterated the good cooperation between the EACJ and the Mechanism. The EACJ President expressed his gratitude to the Mechanism for the leadership role it has played in fostering partnerships between the international and regional judicial institutions in Arusha.

On his part, Registrar Tambadou thanked Dr. Ugirashebuja for the warm welcome accorded him and reiterated his commitment to strengthen the strong bonds of partnership that already exists between the two institutions. The visit was concluded with a tour of the EACJ premises.

Canada contribution to the OPCW

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Canada contribution to the OPCW

Canada Contributes CAD 2,500,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

In the picture, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, François-Philippe Champagne and the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands–24 September 2020–The Government of Canada announced today a contribution of a further CAD 2,500,000 (€1,600,000) to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store. This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, communicated the contribution to the OPCW’s Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, during a conversation today.

Minister Champagne remarked: “Canada is pleased to provide additional funding to the OPCW’s new Centre for Chemistry and Technology, which reflects our longstanding commitment to mitigating global chemical weapons threats. Our CAD 10 million total commitment makes Canada the top national donor to the Centre, and will help strengthen the OPCW’s capacity to address new and evolving threats.”

The Director-General expressed his gratitude to the Government of Canada for this second generous contribution. He highlighted: “The new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology will strengthen the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. It will also increase international cooperation toward safer and peaceful uses of chemicals for the benefit of people and the environment. We appreciate the continued commitment of OPCW Member States to this important project during these unprecedented times.”

H.E. Ms Lisa Helfand, Ambassador of Canada to The Netherlands.

Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW Member States in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He further emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.

So far, 43 Member States, Israel – a signatory state – and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the ChemTech Centre project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.

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