Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil and H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 13 March 2020 – The Government of Germany has contributed €1,000,000 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 contribution was formalised during a ceremony at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil.
Ambassador Weil remarked: “We are proud to contribute €1M to the new ChemTech Centre, a major future-oriented project of the OPCW. With the new Centre, the OPCW will gain important capabilities, including in the field of training and capacity-building for young scientists from all regions.”
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Germany for this major contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology that will further build the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.”
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties 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, thirty-seven States Parties 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.
Vision & Global Trends proudly announces its partnership with the International University for Peace of Rome (UNIPACE), office of the United Nations University for Peace.
The partnership aims to the promotion and the intermediation regarding the recently launched UNIPACE international postgraduate education programmes, both focused on studies on the China-led “Belt and Road Initiative”.
Presentation of the University
The University for Peace (UPEACE) is an intergovernmental organization with University status, established by treaty at the United Nations General Assembly in 1980 and having its main campus in Costa Rica. Its stated mission is “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations”.
The current Rector of UPEACE is Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena. The creation of the University for Peace was set in motion by a treaty and endorsed by resolution 34/111 of 14 December 1979 of the United Nations General Assembly. By this Resolution, the UN General Assembly established an international commission which, in collaboration with the Government of Costa Rica, was requested to prepare the organization, structure and setting in motion of the University for Peace.
Thereafter, by Resolution 35/55 of 5 December 1980, the UN General Assembly endorsed the treaty establishing the University for Peace by adopting the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace (UPEACE) along with the Charter of the University for Peace. The University has the unique status of not only being a dedicated institution for higher education in Peace and Conflict studies, but also an international treaty body organization mandated by the United Nations General Assembly.
It offers master’s degree and doctoral programmes (now starting our blended program focused on the Belt Road Initiative in Rome) at its main headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, and carries out various activities related to the international peace and security objectives of the United Nations (UN) through centres and offices located in Rome, Addis Abeba, New York, Honduras, Geneva, Bonn, The Hague, Manila and Beijing, and through partnership arrangements with numerous other institutions worldwide.
The University for Peace is part of the academic wing of the UN system, and has observer status at the UN General Assembly, while maintaining its independence in academic, financial and management matters. The UN Secretary-General is the Honorary President of UPEACE.
The UN General Assembly maintains a constant interest in the activities of UPEACE, and in periodic resolutions calls on the UN Secretary-General to report to it on its activities.
Accordingly, the UN Secretary-General reports to the General Assembly of the UN periodically on the progress of UPEACE. The Council of the University for Peace is the supreme authority of the University.
It is composed of five ex-officio members viz. the Rector, two representatives designated by the UN Secretary-General and by the Director-General of the UNESCO, the Rector of the United Nations University, two representatives designated by the Government of the host country and the Chancellor of UPEACE. In addition, the Council comprises ten representatives of the academic community or other persons eminent in the field of peace and security appointed by the Secretary-General of the UN in consultation with the Director-General of the UNESCO.
The University has “unique world-wide authorization to award academic degrees, recognized by all countries which are members of the General Assembly”.
Dr. Tiberio Graziani.
The Italian Office – The Entrusted Entity
In November 2015 University for Peace (UPEACE, Costa Rica) governing bodies signed a cooperation agreement with President prof.eng. Gianni Cara, already responsible for Europe of the ‘World Organization for Peace’. The agreement established a delegated office in Italy, which works alongside other existing offices in Holland, in Japan, in Philippines, in Chile, and Ethiopia.
The International University for Peace – Rome – was identified by UPEACE as the legal entity with the task to establish the Roman office, whose aim is to provide innovative and qualified courses. Furthermore, there were established a headquarters in Rome and a Device Operations Section based in Naples (Complesso Altamira), located in a very innovative business accelerator area.
It is committed to creating and sustaining the conditions to become a model for cross-university collaboration, and to expand and to reach East and Southern Europe, the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, the Equatorial Africa, the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Belt Road Initiative Program
The BRI can be considered as the largest international cooperation plan of the century, paving the way to many opportunities as well as challenges in need for a response. So we designed a program, including an MBA and two PhDs focused on this complex topic as it needs a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to be explored and studied and understood completely, in order to fully unlock its potential. Meanwhile, UNIPACE will generate its own BRI knowledge database, of critical relevance for all BRI Partners: in this way, contributing the objective of grasping the ‘triangle’ connecting education, research and innovation.
Uniting key fields, our research projects interact on an unprecedented level. The core objective of this program will focus on the ‘sharing’ element, where knowledge and research outputs, as well as their related benefits, will be shared among participants and their Home Institutions in the name of global cooperation and peaceful coexistence, the only real warranty for the future. This way, so
‘BRIdge the gap’ could be our motto and the best wish for all students, who would like to follow this international path with the potential to make a global impact.
The BRI could be the most important contemporary geopolitical tool of our century. We must appreciate the Chinese determination to promote dialogue of minds and cultural exchanges and UNIPACE President, Prof. Eng. Gianni Cara, hopes that his students become modern-day Marco Polos, as cultural ambassadors among China and all its Partners, as he has the awareness that innovation can make the difference in training, and can become the most powerful personal growth driver.
Postgraduate Programmes
Master in Business Administration (MBA)
Academic Supervisor: Prof. Valerio MALVEZZI
The UNIPACE MBA is an intensive blended programme tailored for high-performing professionals who want to further improve their careers and their work profiles.
Following a competitive selection process, this MBA delivers a one-year long condensed learning experience through teamwork, personalized feedback, coaching, and curated readings, to take fast-tracked leaders to a higher level.
Key programme benefits: master management skills in highly diversified business, social and political environments; develop the mindset of an entrepreneur (creativity, capability of taking risks and managing the unknown with confidence); become a more reflective, self-aware and strategic member of a general managment team; develop yourself, your organization and your career path.
With one coach every ten students, we are able to closely follow our students in their activities and their work.
UNIPACE delivers the programme via in-person classes, integrated with its highly innovative platform, which enables access to a wide variety of online contents as video lessons, curated resources, video, streamings, articles, and books. Students can also opt for a fully online/distance learning experience.
The MBA is configured as a “workshop” programme”, designed to empower the creative and analytical skills of the participatns and is designed and built to form “responsive professional figures” that will acquire an organic and up-to-date view of the activities of managers operating today; the disciplined contributions have been selected and revised in high usability perspective, as well as the awesome case history, in which the protagonists are going to tell successful professional stories that are rooting a period of severe economic crisis.
The MBA is composed of the following core modules, for a grand total of 60 ECTS that are attached to the workload of a full-time year of formal learning (from 1 500 to 1800 for an academic year).
Operations Management;
Leadership and Team-Building Skills;
Financial Management;
Strategic Management;
Financial Reporting;
Risk Management;
Advanced Marketing;
Innovation Management;
Applied Statistics;
Human Resource Management and Development;
CSR;
e-Commerce;
Digital and Internet Economy;
Multimedia Design for Business and Economics;
Social Network Business;
Web Content Economics;
IT Skills;
English Language.
Core topics are integrated by the following courses, delivered by staff from the Univerity for Peace Headquarters:
Decision-making;
Operating under Ambiguity:
Understanding Worldviews;
Risk-taking;
Critical Thinking;
Storytelling;
Marketing;
Strategy;
Driving Innovation;
Securing Buy-in;
Management;
Making change happen.
Upon completing the MBA, students will be granted the “alumni” status, gaining access to our global alumni network, and alumni groups on social networks.
Participants will be asked to sit an intermediate and a final test, in order to check on their progress.
Applications and enrolments are open throughout the year. The course is 1-year long.
In order to apply, students are requested to fill in the MBA application form.
Application forms can be requested to the reference persons listed at the end of this document.
Only applications sent via email will be considered.
Tuition fee is set at 19 000 USD.
Students can choose if attending the programme in blended format (in-presence + online/distance learning) of in a fully online experience (100% distance learning).
Excellent candidates will be considered for an internship period at the United Nations premises in Rome.
Students who successfully completed the MBA Programme will have to possibility to be enrolled directly at the second year of the PhD Programme, after passing an integration examination.
PhD Programmes
PhD in Economics Academic Supervisor: Prof. Valerio MALVEZZI
PhD in Political Science Academic Supervisor: Prof. Enea FRANZA
UNIPACE launches the first edition of its research-based PhD Programmes: PhD in Economics, and PhD in Political Science.
PhDs are three years long; the title will be awarded after the completion and defense of a doctoral final dissertation (thesis) presenting original research on a topic of interest, contibuting to the extension of knowledge in the chosen field.
The workload corresponds to 180 ECTS, ranging from 1 500 to 1 800 working hours per academic year.
Applicants are required to write their thesis in English.
The research-based setting helps students in giving them the possibility to study and pursue research independently, under the supervision of a thesis advisor assigned by the University. Students will be invited to join seasonal conferences and activities in Rome, and they will receive from the start of the Programme the necessary oonline resources to conduct their research from their location of preference. The final PhD disseration shows the significant contribution of the candidate to his research filed: thus, research topics will be developed and finley tuned on the basis of the PhD candidates’ professional and academic profile, as well as on their research project proposals.
Both PhD Programmes will have a focus on multi-disciplinary studies and research related to the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), with the goal of establishing a proper “knowledge hub” related to this international initiative. This research track seeks to attract students who are interested in those institutional changes, considered crucial in understanting this transformation, specifically in regard with the global impetus and multiple scales of politics and the economy.
Core modules will provided by the Departments of the University, in the macro areas of:
Law;
Economics;
Environment and Land;
Media and Social Sciences;
Criminology;
Health Sciences;
Artificial Intelligence;
Pedagogy and Educational Research;
OBOR.
Applications and enrolments are open throughout the year. The course is 3-years long.
In order to apply, students are requested to fill in the PhD application form.
Application forms can be requested to the reference persons listed at the end of this document.
Only applications sent via email will be considered.
Tuition fee is set at 12 000 USD per academic year.
Students can choose if attending the programme in blended format (in-presence + online/distance learning) of in a fully online experience (100% distance learning).
Excellent candidates will be considered for an internship period at the United Nations premises in Rome.
Students who successfully completed the MBA Programme will have to possibility to be enrolled directly at the second year of the PhD Programme, after passing an integration examination.
Secretary Martin M. Andanar with Ambassador Jaime V. Ledda. Photography by Anton Lutter.
By Anton Lutter.
February saw a much appreciated tour of Mr. Martin M. Andanar, the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) visiting cities like Paris, Brussels, The Hague, London and Geneva informing Filipino community leaders, journalists, politicians and officials about – amongst others – the accomplishments of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Drugs.
One part of the mission of the PCCO is to inform and raise awareness of the public about the policies, programs, and projects of the Presidency. It is during President Duterte’s midterm that Secretary Andanar has taken it upon himself to inform us what’s at stake and what the results are considering the War on Drugs. In 2016, Duterte was elected on a platform of combating the illegal drugs trade and corruption, which up until now is overwhelming backed by the Philippines people resulting in continuous high popularity, now being at an all-time high.
To illustrate the effects narcotics has on family life the documentary “Gramo” was shown to fully packed venues. Particular gruesome is the murder, by a man high on drugs, of his own wife and even more shocking is the reaction of their young child who cannot encompass what occurred. Sadly enough this is not the exception. As the President iterates if the breadwinner is on drugs the whole family is destroyed. There’s no food on the table, the wife is abused, children cannot attend school, poverty continued. This is the real human rights offense.
President Duterte has vowed to the Filipino’s to fight this evil, with all his might. His straight-talking message underlines the importance of his mission. There’s no sugarcoating here. Of course, this is not to the liking of the do-nothings, who’s legacy to the current government and the Philippines people is what it says: nothing. The 2016 presidential election changed all that, the Clean-Up Guy got voted in! And clean up he can. As Mayor of Davao City he got rid of crime making it the safest city in The Philippines becoming a hugely popular destination for tourists.
These challenges are obviously not easy. You just don’t solve a problem that for decades has been neglected. As President Duterte explains himself: With the sheer magnitude of the illegal drug problem, I am cognizant that we still have a long way to go in addressing this deeply rooted societal.
The Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy states clear a vision for the future: by 2022, the Philippines will be able to achieve drug-free communities, provided by an extensive framework for law enforcement and penalties for violations. At the same time adopting a compassionate approach to the victims of drug use by encouraging treatment and rehabilitation. Sofar a broad array of projects have been implemented, bringing together families, schools, communities, faith-based groups and many more.
To name just a few examples of the many activities which make up the War on Drugs campaign: Kids Against Drugs Program, which educates children to say no against drugs; Barkada Kontra Droga, organizing youth who advocate a healthy, drug-free lifestyle within their peer groups; Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils, established to help eradicate illegal drugs within communities at the village and ward level; Yakap Bayan Program, which provides former illegal drugs users and their families financial assistance (educational, medical and burial), cash and food for work, livelihood assistance, family counseling, and enrollment to the Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program and Special Drug Education Center.
It’s obvious these huge tasks take leadership and perseverance. So, what has been achieved under the guidance of President Duterte? Facts speak louder than words: since July 2016 150.000+ anti-drugs operations conducted, 223.000+ persons arrested, Euro 715.000.000+ worth of drugs seized, 500+ narcotics dens and clandestine laboratories have been dismantled, 485.000+ surrendered to reformation programs, 34.000+ wards or villages have been declared drug-free and more than 2.800 children have been rescued form illegal drugs activities. Next to that almost 1000 government workers have been arrested in anti-drugs operations. Duterte’s message to the servants of the state leaves no room for interpretation: if you’re involved in narcotics, you’re going down.
Many have died because of illegal drugs and its trade, at the same time many more have been saved and that’s what really counts. So, what’s at stake is obvious, the future of The Philippines and its children. The Filipino’s are very aware of this, 82% support the War on Drugs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
On March 5th, 2020, the leaders of Turkey and Russia – involved on different sides in the conflict in Syria’s Idlib province – agreed once more to halt the fight in the region. Ten days later, the ceasefire seems to hold, and the two country’s militaries are moving on with the implementation of the agreement.
March 15th, 2020. The first joint Turkish-Russian patrol along the strategic M4 highway is underway today – as announced two days ago by Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar. The coordinated operation is taking place as part of the agreement reached on March 5th by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who decided to halt combat operations in the war-torn Idlib province of north-western Syria.
The Idlib province is of major strategical importance in Syria, as it lies at the intersection between two of the country’s major communication arteries, the M4 and the M5 highways. The M5 cuts the most populated areas of Syria from south to north, connecting the capital Damascus with major cities such as Homs and Aleppo. The M4 cuts instead the country from west to east, connecting the Mediterranean port of Latakia with Syria’s north-east. The two highways intersect in the town of Saraqib, in Idlib province, which over the past weeks has been the focus of major clashes.
The fighting in Idlib has pitted the Syrian Arab Army, backed by Russia, against Turkish forces and their allied rebel groups in the region.
Clashes between these forces in Idlib are nothing new. Fierce fighting had already erupted in late 2018 between the Russian-backed Syrian Army and Turkish-backed groups in the area. An agreement between the Turkish and Russian leaders in September had temporarily stopped the clashes, providing for a halt to the Syrian offensive in return for the withdrawal of radical, al-Qaeda-linked groups from the region. The deal’s terms, however, were never fully implemented, and fighting erupted again in the spring of 2019.
Despite attempts to revive the Turkish-Russian agreement during the summer, clashes continued – eventually intensifying in late 2019, when Syrian forces, with the help of Russian airpower, launched an offensive to recapture territories in Idlib. This offensive prompted direct clashes between the Syrian army and Turkish forces, who had been deployed to several observation posts inside Idlib province under the September 2018 agreement. This last wave of clashes – which was particularly fierce – had devastating effects on Idlib province’s population. Over three months, nearly a million people were reportedly displaced – their conditions being all the more difficult owing to the combination of heavy clashes and harsh climate conditions.
As the fighting escalated in late February, the international community turned its attention to Idlib, and pressure on all sides mounted to put a halt to the clashes. On March 5th, Mr. Erdogan and Mr. Putin – after a six hours meeting – declared that another agreement had been reached. The new Idlib deal provided for an immediate ceasefire, as well as the establishment of a secure corridor around the M4 highway, to be managed jointly by Turkish and Russian forces. Under the deal, the Syrian government maintained its control over the areas recaptured during the latest offensive, thus finally securing control over the M5 highway.
In the wake of the March 5th agreement, the international community’s attention has been rapidly shifting away from Idlib, with all eyes turning to the propagation of the COVID-19 across the globe. Yet, the situation in Idlib continues to evolve. In the days after the March 5th agreement, the two sides did not report major violations of the ceasefire. At the time of writing this article, on March 15th, the first joint Turkish-Russian patrol is currently ongoing. The operation is set to take place with a reduced route – due to the risk of provocation by armed groups, the Russian Ministry of Defense declared. Yet, increased coordination seems to be again underway – hopefully to the benefit of the civilian population in Idlib, who remains the real victim of this conflict.
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.
H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia.
By Tereza Neuwirthova.
On the evening of March 5th, the embassies of the countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to The Netherlands, together with the French Institute, organised a celebration of the richness and diversity of the francophone cultures. The theme of this event that is annually held in the week of the French language, as well as during the month of La Francophonie, was Bandes Dessinées (BD); a culture of cartoons that represents an artistic form connecting and honoured in all francophone countries.
The event was held in the interiors of Pathé Buitenhof in The Hague, and saw the attendance of many diplomatic representatives, but also cartoonists, journalists or experts from the French-speaking world, together with a large number of members of the francophone community in The Netherlands.
La Francophonie, festival des Bandes Dessinées.
To begin the programme, the chairman of the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors in The Hague and the ambassador of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, welcomed the guests:
“It is my pleasure to be hosting this special event on the occasion of 50 years’ celebration of the International Organization of La Francophonie. The basis of this organisation is the French language, which also serves as the universal value that strengthens international solidarity and cooperation among the members of La Francophonie, but of course with other countries as well. This unique cause is recognised by all ambassadors of francophone countries to The Netherlands, my colleagues who are present here today.”
Ambassadors, artists and participants to the 50 years’ celebration of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
“Moreover, the exceptional creativity and variety that the art of Bandes Dessinées offers, provides a unique means of communication that supports and ameliorates the relations through this cultural expression. Therefore, I hope that this evening will be an opportunity not only to honour the culture of comics, but also the commitment to building solidarity with the help of this artistic expression.”
The moderator of the event, Sonia Deschamps, held two round-table discussions with famous cartoonists that presented their works, as well as intellectual and artistic approach. During the first part of the programme, a debate on the topic “Comics: glances on history and the duty of memory”, was held with the authors Zeina Abirached (Lebanon), Emile Bravo (France), and Emilie Plateau (France).
Thereafter, an intervention performance by the pupils of the Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh from The Hague followed, during which their works-comics on the topic of climate change, were presented.
50 years’ celebration of the International Organization of La Francophonie, Festival des Bandes Dessinées.
After the performance, a second round-table debate followed, during which the illustrators Jean Auquier (Belgium), Guy Delisle (Québec), and Judith Vanistendael (Belgium) presented their works related to the topic “Comics: witness to reality and highlights of the issues of our time”. In addition, a short film about the “Velvet Revolution” was shown, where a group of Armenian cartoonists called Mayro Comics presented their work conveying the message of tolerance and mutual respect to the Armenian public.
The evening ended with a reception at which the embassies of francophone countries presented plenty of their national delicacies, in the form of a variety of drinks and dishes. The reception was highly enjoyed by all guests, who chatted about the topics of the evening programme, as well as the exceptional artistic value that the Bandes Dessinées present for the culture of La Francophonie. This celebration marked another enjoyable event organised by the diplomatic community of The Hague.
The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen has entered its final stages following closing statements that took place before Trial Chamber IX of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) from 10 to 12 March 2020. During the closing statement hearings, the Prosecution, the Legal Representatives of Victims and the Defence presented their final arguments.
The ICC’s Trial Chamber IX, composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt, Presiding Judge, Judge Péter Kovács and Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan, will deliberate on the proceedings and, within a reasonable period, pronounce its decision on conviction or acquittal pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute. The Chamber bases its decision only on the applicable law and on evidence submitted and discussed before it at the trial.
The trial in this case opened on 6 December 2016. Dominic Ongwen is accused of 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in northern Uganda. The Prosecution and the Defence have completed the presentation of their evidence. The Legal Representatives of Victims also called witnesses to appear before the Chamber. On 12 December 2019, the Presiding Judge declared the closure of the submission of evidence in the case. The closing briefs were filed on 24 February 2020.
In the picture H.E. Mr. Yeondoo Jeong, Ambassador of Korea with Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert’s artists.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
On 27th February 2020, a superb spectacle took place at the Diligentia Theatre in The Hague featuring the Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert. On the program, classy young singers and a world-class repertoire, consisting of classical song and dance, pieces as La donna e mobile, Nessun Dorma ( Luciano Pavarotti) Ave Maria, Lippen schweigen and so much more.
The audience could not resist getting on their feet to applaud the performers. Kim Cha Kyung Opera, is the first private Korean opera company.
Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert.
Established in 1968 and named after the soprano Kim Cha Kyung, who dedicated her life to promulgate opera. The concert was under the auspices of the Embassy of Korea in the Netherlands.
It is interesting to note that the relationship between Korea and the Netherlands dates back to the 17th century. It started with the Dutch sailors Jan Janszn Weltevree ( Pak Yon) and Hendrik Hamel who landed on the island Jeju . Korea and the Netherlands established Diplomatic relations in 1961.
Guests at the Korean Gala Concert – Diligentia Theatre.
In his address, H.E. Mr. Yeondoo Jeong, Ambassador of Korea, made mention of the fact that the two countries envisage celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021
Hence, the Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert is to be consideredas a prelude to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021.
Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova, President of the Specialist Chambers and the Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sarah Ghanem at the Korean Opera Gala Concert.
Ambassador Yeondoo Jeong concluded by stating: “I look forward to your continuous love and affection towards Korea, as well as your active participation and support to various events to be hosted by the embassy. I appreciate your attendance today, and wish you good luck, continued health and happiness.”
What a wonderful evening it has been, all left the Diligentia Theatre in high spirits.
Tiberio Graziani, director of the Italian International Vision and Global Trends Institute for Analytical Studies, said today, Tuesday, that Saudi Arabia’s decision to increase production and thus reduce the price of oil is beneficial to the United States and makes the oil market more chaotic.
Rome – Sputnik. “I believe that Saudi Arabia’s unilateral decision to reduce the price of oil was a tactical ploy that was mainly directed against Russia,” Graziani told Sputnik. He added: “When it comes to any type of energy source, whether from the point of view of technology development or infrastructure improvements or as in this case, from the point of view of the market or transactions in it, you always act consciously or not, in a geopolitical context Therefore, Saudi Arabia’s decision has a clear geopolitical dimension. ”
He added: “Riyadh’s behavior may help counter Russia’s attempts to boost its efforts in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Graziani explained: “Currently, Saudi Arabia’s” head blow “serves the United States, as it punishes Russia and creates indirect problems for China, meaning that it strikes two countries, Russia and China, with which the Trump administration declared a trade war with it long ago.
The head of the institute concluded that “because of this decision, the oil market has become more chaotic, than it was before.” And oil futures prices fell by more than 20 percent, last Sunday evening, after Saudi Arabia reduced the official price for selling its crude oil, indicating the start of a price war after OPEC talks with Russia failed to reach an agreement on reducing production.
Earlier, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak announced that the “OPEC +” agreement will not be formally in place from April 1, but the coalition itself will remain and will operate under the Cooperation Treaty indefinitely and within the framework of this document.
A joint response to the situation in the oil market is expected, if necessary. In future, the alliance may return to regulating the level of production. The minister also said that the next OPEC + meetings will be from May to June 2020.
Today, 9 March 2020, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) unanimously confirmed the admissibility of the case against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi before the Court and rejected his appeal against the Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision dismissing his challenge to the admissibility of this case.
The Appeals Chamber recalled that the Court is “complementary to national criminal jurisdictions”. A case is inadmissible when a person “has already been tried” and no person “who has been tried by another court” for crimes under the ICC jurisdiction shall be tried by the ICC with respect to the same conduct. In reviewing the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision, the Appeals Chamber found no error in it and agreed with its interpretation of the Rome Statute, indicating that the decision issued by a national jurisdiction must be final before a case can be declared inadmissible.
Having considered the submissions of the Defense, the Prosecutor, the victims, Libya’s government and others, the Appeals Chamber found that the Pre-Trial Chamber did not err in concluding that the Libyan judgment of 28 July 2015 against Mr Gaddafi was rendered in absentia. This is also supported by the Libyan Government’s submissions to the ICC. Thus, under Libyan Law, the Tripoli Court’s judgment cannot be considered final. The Appeals Chamber further agreed with Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision that the Libyan Law No. 6 (2015) in respect of amnesty is not applicable to the crimes for which Mr Gaddafi was convicted by the Tripoli Court. Accordingly, the Appeals Chamber rejects Mr Gaddafi’s appeal.
The Appeals Chamber is composed of Judges Chile Eboe-Osuji, Presiding, Howard Morrison, Piotr Hofmański, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza and Solomy Balungi Bossa. Judge Eboe-Osuji and Judge Bossa jointly append a concurring separate opinion. Judge Ibáñez Carranza will, in due course, file a separate opinion to this judgment, related to the question of amnesties and international law.
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, on the referral by Venezuela regarding the situation in its own territory.
On 13 February 2020, I received a referral from the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (“Venezuela”) regarding the situation in its own territory, in accordance with its prerogatives as a State Party to the Rome Statute (the “Statute”).
Pursuant to article 14(1) of the Statute of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), the referring State requests the Prosecutor to initiate an investigation into crimes against humanity allegedly committed on the territory of Venezuela, with the view to determining whether one or more persons should be charged with the commission of such crimes.
In its referral, the Government of Venezuela states that crimes against humanity are committed “as a result of the application of unlawful coercive measures adopted unilaterally by the government of the United States of America against Venezuela, at least since the year 2014.” The referral is accompanied by a supporting document, which further specifies the relevant circumstances under which such crimes are alleged to have occurred. Pursuant to Regulation 45 of the Regulations of the Court, I have informed the ICC Presidency of this referral to enable the assignment of the situation to a Pre-Trial Chamber.
This is the second referral received by my Office concerning the situation in Venezuela. Previously, on 27 September 2018, a group of States Parties to the Rome Statute, namely the Argentine Republic, Canada, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Chile, the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of Peru, made a referral regarding the situation in Venezuela, since 12 February 2014. This followed my earlier decision, of 8 February 2018, to open a preliminary examination into the situation in Venezuela to analyse alleged crimes in the context of demonstrations and related political unrest.
In my notification to the ICC Presidency, I have noted that the two referrals appear to overlap geographically and temporally and may therefore warrant assignment to the same Pre-Trial Chamber; but that this should not prejudice a later determination on whether the referred scope of the two situations is sufficiently linked to constitute a single situation.
Specifically, under article 53 (1) of the Statute, as Prosecutor, I must consider issues of jurisdiction, admissibility and the interests of justice in making this determination. As noted in the Office’s Policy Paper on Preliminary Examinations, these factors are applied to all situations, irrespective of whether the preliminary examination was initiated on the basis of information on crimes submitted pursuant to article 15 of the Statute, by a referral from a State Party (or a group of States Parties) or the United Nations Security Council, or by a declaration accepting the exercise of jurisdiction by the Court, pursuant to article 12(3) of the Statute. In all circumstances, my Office independently evaluates and analyses the information available.
In the independent and impartial exercise of its mandate, my Office gives consideration to all submissions and views conveyed to it during the course of each preliminary examination, including any observation by the competent national authorities concerning any relevant investigation and prosecution at the national level.
This is the tenth referral received by my Office since the Rome Statute came into force on 1 July 2002. Previously, the Governments of Uganda (2004), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2004), the Central African Republic (2004 and 2014), Mali (2012), the Union of the Comoros (2013), the Gabonese Republic (2016), the State of Palestine (2018) and the Group of six States Parties (2018) have referred situations to my Office in accordance with their prerogatives as States Parties to the Statute.
