Arusha, 27 September 2019– Today, the Appeals Chamber composed of Judge Theodor Meron (United States), presiding, Judge Joseph E. Chiondo Masanche (Tanzania), Judge Lee G. Muthoga (Kenya), Judge Aminatta Lois Runeni N’gum (Gambia), and Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam (Burkina Faso) delivered its judgement on review in the case of Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R.
The Appeals Chamber rejected Ngirabatware’s attempt to show in review proceedings that the four key witnesses underpinning his convictions for direct and public incitement to commit genocide and instigating and aiding and abetting genocide had truthfully recanted their trial testimonies. The Appeals Chamber decided that the appeal judgement, sentencing Ngirabatware to 30 years of imprisonment for these crimes, remains in force.Â
The Appeals Chamber found that Ngirabatware had not presented sufficient evidence capable of belief that the witnesses had truthfully recanted. The Appeals Chamber observed that the circumstances surrounding the recantations of the four witnesses, including evidence that the witnesses received or sought financial incentives in connection with their recantations, as well as the fact that the recantations may have been orchestrated by others, raised considerable suspicion. Notably, two of the four witnesses renounced their recantations at the review hearing and affirmed the truth of their trial testimony against Ngirabatware.
The review hearing was held from 16 to 24 September 2019 at the Arusha branch of the Mechanism. The Appeals Chamber heard six witnesses, including the four recanting witnesses, and oral arguments from the parties. This was the first time the Arusha branch’s new courtroom, which is one of the most technologically advanced in the world, has been used for evidentiary hearings.
Augustin Ngirabatware served as Minister of Planning as part of the Interim Government in April 1994. His trial judgement was pronounced by Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on 20 December 2012, and his appeal judgement of 18 December 2014 was the Mechanism’s first judgement.
Arusha, 27 September 2019 – Following the issuance of the review judgment in the case Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Chief Prosecutor of the Mechanism, Serge Brammertz, gave the following statement:
My Office is satisfied that the Appeals Chamber accepted our arguments and rejected Augustin Ngirabatware’s attempt to secure reversal of his convictions for direct and public incitement to commit genocide and instigating and aiding and abetting genocide. The Appeals Chamber agreed with us that the alleged recantations by four witnesses were not credible or capable of belief.
I would like to take this opportunity to underscore my Office’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of proceedings conducted by the ICTR, ICTY and the Mechanism, and the facts established therein.
In particular, we will investigate and prosecute all those who interfere with ICTR, ICTY and Mechanism witnesses, as mandated by the UN Security Council and the Mechanism Statute. The Appeals Chamber today noted the considerable suspicion raised in this review proceeding based on my Office’s evidence that the recantations were influenced by financial incentives, as well as that the recantations may have been orchestrated by others. In that regard, my Office has issued an indictment against five accused for contempt of court in the case Prosecutor v. Turinabo et al., wherein we allege that the accused interfered with witnesses who had given evidence in Ngirabatware’s trial and in the related review proceeding that concluded today. Our investigations remain ongoing, and we look forward to the commencement of the trial.
All witnesses who appeared before the ICTR, ICTY or the Mechanism continue to enjoy the Mechanism’s protection. I urge any witness who is threatened, influenced or offered bribes in order to change their testimony to immediately contact the Mechanism’s Witness Support and Protection Unit or my Office.
Finally, I would like to thank the Government of Rwanda and the Prosecutor General for their continued cooperation and assistance.
In the picture Prime Minister Mark Rutte and First President of Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev.
On September 23rd-24th, Kazakhstan hosted the 4thMeeting of Parliamentary Speakers of Eurasian countries in Nur-Sultan, where Diplomat Magazine was present on the ground. The conference started with an address by former President Nazarbayev, who praised his country’s achievements and voiced aspirations for a more integrated Eurasia.
The 4th Meeting of Parliamentary Speakers of Eurasian countries was a crowded one, hosting parliamentary delegations from around 65 countries in Europe and Asia, as well as representatives of 14 international parliamentary organizations. During the Meeting’s first day, the delegates were addressed by Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, former President of Kazakhstan (1990-2019), who after his resignation in March has been invested with the title of “Leader of the Nation.”Â
Nur-Sultan IV Meeting of Speakers of Parliament of Eurasia. Sept 23 & 24 2019
During his address, Mr. Nazarbayev praised the results achieved by Kazakhstan since its independence in the early 1990s. “We have gone through severe crises and difficulties together with my people,” but “we set ourselves ambitious goals and achieved them” – the former President noted, highlighting Kazakhstan’s success in building a market economy from scratch, eventually becoming on of the 50 most developed countries in the world. In short, the Kazakh leader rejoiced, “we have something to be proud of.”
Mr. Nazarbayev also spoke about the current international situation. “Today the planet is again at a dangerous point” – he warned, citing issues such as the erosion of international law, the arbitrary application of sanctions, as well as the danger posed by weapons of mass destruction. In this regard, the former Kazakh President highlighted some proposals advanced by his country for enhancing cooperation among countries across the globe, and especially among world’s most powerful countries. International stability and security, he noted, “can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations.”
Nur-Sultan city
Moving on to the Parliamentary Meeting itself, Mr. Nazarbayev welcomed the presence of such a high-level meeting in Kazakhstan, exactly 25 years after his first idea of Eurasian integration. He highlighted that Eurasian integration has the potential to be largest economic integration project of the 21stcentury, and he urged all countries to coordinate their efforts to contribute to their populations’ well-being. In this process, the role of national Parliaments and their members should be central – Mr. Nazarbayev said, advocating that “the voice of parliamentarians be heard louder and clearer.”
In the context of Eurasian integration, the former Kazakh President stressed the crucial role of his own country. Over the last years, Kazakhstan has established a new infrastructure framework, enhancing connectivity in not only in terms of transportation, but also in terms of energy, finance, and digitalization. Moreover, he noted that Kazakhstan sees Eurasia as “a platform for testing a fundamentally new partnership model,” aimed at devising joint, collective solutions to shared emerging challenges. In this spirit, the country enjoys good relations with all its neighbors, as well as with other countries present in the region – Mr. Nazarbayev noted with pride.
To put in with a few words only, much is at stake with cooperation across Eurasia, and the Parliamentary Meeting is an important part of such cooperation. As former President Nazarbayev put it: “we are all interested in the effectiveness of this Meeting.”
Foto: Reiner VoĂź / view – die agentur /Staatskanzlei RLP.
18-19 September 2019, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany: According to the established tradition, Germany’s Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier invited the corps diplomatique accredited to the Federal Republic of Germany to a jaunt meant to discover this time around the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The German Head of State was joined by Rhineland-Palatinate’s head of government Premier Malu Dreyer, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Dr. Nikola Eterović as well as the chiefs of international organisations based in Germany.Â
The top diplomatic delegation encompassed approximately 200 delegates were guided through Mainz, the HunsrĂĽck mountain range and National Park as well as the Moselle vineyards, wherein the delegates were treated to wines and culinary specialities from the region.
Guests based in Berlin where specially flown in to Rhineland-Palatinate on a Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces) aircraft. They particularly enjoyed the mild, luminous climate as well as the well-wishers that greeted them along their path.
Picture by HE Ambassador Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason.
Rhineland-Palatinate holds a population of 4,5 million inhabitants, being the seventh-most populous German state. Mainz is the state capital and largest city, while other major cities include Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern, and Worms. The state borders France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Monday, 16 September 2019, Moscow, Russian Federation:  Bentley introduced the all-new refined and dynamic Flying Spur to the on top of Tverskaya Residence, in room 100 – a momentous number for the brand’s anniversary year.
The quintessence of British style, an intriguing and mystifying atmosphere of “modern alchemy” and a captivating vista of Moscow centre awaited the guests who arrived for a private screening of the most immaculate and luxurious sports sedan.
A clandestine penthouse in the centre of the capital of Russia, a panoramic vista of the city – Moscow-City towers, the hotel “Ukraine”, Ostankino tower, the House of the Government, and the Kremlin, Flying Spur debuted in a habitual business environment of today’s metropolis.
Christian Schlick, Head of Bentley Russia, said as per statement below, “The all-new Flying Spur has been developed from scratch and will be assembled at the iconic Bentley factory in Crewe. Its name is the only legacy from the predecessor model. We are excited and confident that the Flying Spur will impress Russian customers. This luxurious and dynamic sports sedan is a touchstone of elegance and quality associated with Bentley for 100 years.”
The design development stages and the birth of a masterpiece, from the very first line to the very final details that build an exclusive image of Bentley Flying Spur, were displayed in room 100 as a unique sketch gallery centred. Unique installation of the Flying B is located in the lobby of the Residence. Developed in the centennial year, the Bentley mascot has acquired a new design that matches the new age style.
More than 3,000 people visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, 22 September 2019, when it opened its headquarters for The Hague International Day (Open Day). This was the biggest open day for the ICC yet, with 1000 more visitors than last year. Women, men and children of different ages and nationalities, including Dutch nationals and members of the international community based in The Hague, had the opportunity to learn more and be inspired by the Court and Trust Fund for Victims’ work.
Women, men and children of different ages and nationalities, including Dutch nationals and members of the international community based in The Hague, had the opportunity to learn more and be inspired by the Court and Trust Fund for Victims’ work.
Highlights this year included an interactive session with staff in the main ICC Courtroom, viewing of several artworks, insightful information on investigations and cases, as well as the work of the Trust Fund for Victims, an area featuring jobs, internships and visiting professional positions, and activities for children and youth, including “Planet Justice” augmented reality games about the ICC.
This year the visitors also had the chance to explore a temporary art exhibit, “bogoro” comprising three art pieces by Franck Leibovici and Julien Seroussi. The works, which explore themes of witnesses and evidence in an ICC case, will remain on display at the seat of the Court until the end of the year. The exhibit is part of a larger collaborative project with the artists to bring art, sociology and multidisciplinary perspectives to the legal process.
The Hague International Day is organised on a yearly basis by the Municipality of The Hague – the Court’s host city – and gives the public the opportunity to learn more about the functioning and aims of the various international institutions and non-governmental organisations based in the city. The Hague has been hosting the ICC since 2002. The city and its surrounding area are now home to over 160 international organisations.
The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.
On a sunny September evening, an audience made up of Chinese and Dutch spectators filled up the enormous venue of Zuiderstrandtheater in The Hague’s Scheveningen.
The public gathered to see the classic Chinese opera Kunqu that was performed by one of the top opera artists from China, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre which was invited to The Hague by the embassy of China in The Netherlands. The theatre company has previously performed the opera in the UK, USA, Italy, as well as Greece, and has received great reviews in all countries.
H.E. Ambassador XU Hong with guests.
His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Hong Xu was the host to the Chinese Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion performance (also called Kunqu opera) on the night of September 19th.
H.E. Ambassador’s guest of honor was the Mistress of the Robes, Baroness Bibi van Zuylen van Nijevelt, who was accompanied by her husband and His Excellency in the VIP salon of the Zuiderstrandtheater from which they enjoyed the spectacular evening show.
Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion .
The performance is one of the oldest surviving types of traditional opera in China’s culture, and the team of professionals for this theatre spectacle travelled all the way from China to present the art of Kunqu in The Netherlands.
While the show itself was in Mandarin, the Dutch audience was enabled to follow the plot in English language that was displayed on two screens at the side. The Kunqu opera, which traditionally lasts nine hours, was shortened to a two-hour performance that perfectly filled the evening.
TGhe Mistress of the Robes, Baroness Bibi van Zuylen van Nijevelt with guests.
The evening show included not only a 20 minutes trial performance by the Chinese Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre, but also an act by the Dutch modern dance company Groundbreakers.
This served as the showcase of the connection and relationship between these two countries. What is more, the show stressed the importance of the cultural exchange between China and The Netherlands, as the acts included the aspects and traditional values of both cultures, such as family, love, and respect.
Thursday, 19 September 2019, Milano, Italy: Bottega Veneta presented its vibrant spring collection. In the words of the maison’s Creative Director Daniel Lee: “Spring 2020 evolves the codes we are building at Bottega Veneta. Our focus is on process and clarity; immediate and direct.”
This collection plays with proportion, soft structure cutting through tension and technique with a clean new ease. The balance of colour is calm, bold, rich and defined in black, chocolate brown, gold, tapioca, orange and tones of blue.
Jewellery befits the designs to disrupt the silhouettes, weaving through tactile surfaces. Classicism contrasts modernism with refined techniques: knot, weave and knit.
Materials are featured in their purest forms, i.g. wood, gold, lacquer, stone, leather, cotton and the body. Accessories resonate with the attitude of beauty and comfort.
For Daniel Lee Bottega Veneta embodies warmth, desire, joy and celebration. An elevated reality to live in for everyone with style.
Gucci has launched an haute joaillerie collection, and opened its own boutique for jewerelly located on Place VendĂ´me in Paris.Â
Designer Alessandro Michele‘s Hortus Deliciarum collection mixes jewerelly with fashion. The collection consists of more than 200 treasures, most of which are unique. Classical symbols of love meet mystical motifs of the zodiac and are combined with iconic Gucci designs.
White diamonds, pink sapphires, dazzling opals and yellow berylle adorn the animal motifs in the form of extravagant rings, bracelets and necklaces in gold and silver.
In the picture the Ambassador of Cuba, H.E. Ms. Soraya Alvarez, during her speech.
Thursday 12 September 2019 – The traditional Welcome After Summer Reception, organized by Diplomat Magazine in collaboration with Crowne Plaza, has been once again a great occasion to gather ambassadors, heads of missions, diplomats, and friends from all over the world – who enjoyed the opportunity to meet colleagues and partners in a special atmosphere.
Beyond the diplomatic community, the reception also welcomed businesspeople, well-known politicians, academics, and members of international organizations.
6th Diplomats Welcome After Summer Reception in Crowne Plaza
The reception also became an important occasion to celebrate the launch of Diplomat Magazine’s new printed edition, which came fresh from the printer for this special occasion. The edition featured a cover story on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Honorable Sheikh Hasina.
Addressing the hundreds of guests, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher Dr. Mayelinne De Lara spent a few words on the focus of the Magazine. “We focus on the people” – she said – “Especially, on all the men and women who constitute the great diplomatic corps, who come from every corner of the world to restlessly serve their country, showing an infinite passion in doing their job, finding the right contacts, trying to accomplish the greatest agreements, promoting their countries’ industry and tourism, showing to the world the essence of their nations, and managing foreign affairs even when sometimes the country faces serious domestic issues. We are proud to support all these great civil servants, sharing and learning great life lessons every day”.
Kevin Thuo, Political Counsellor, Embassy of Kenya. VI Diplomats Welcome After Summer Reception in Crowne Plaza
Dr. De Lara continued by mentioning the multitude of events organized by Diplomat Magazine over the last months, including Ceremonies of Merit for parting Ambassadors, gastronomic festivals, promotional events for salsa, chocolate and wine, a diplomats run & walk, and visits to institutions such as Eurojust. In addition to that – she continued – Diplomat Magazine has also travelled to places far from the Netherlands: for instance, the fantastic Bakhshi music festival in Termez, Uzbekistan, where thousands came to admire and enjoy the ancient art of recreating histories about war, conquests, and love; and also the great city of La Habana, which celebrated its 500thanniversary with the most successful international tourism fair ever held in the country.
Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s publisher, Mr. Manolis Arvanitis, Director General of Diplomatic Card and spouse Genia Sonneville at the 6th Diplomats Welcome After Summer Reception in Crowne Plaza
Moreover – Dr. De Lara added – “we also travelled to Bangladesh, in an extensive journey that led us to visit many cities, where we saw important historical relics, Buddhist temples, craft markets, silk saris in-house production, wonderful beaches, and especially great, progressive, hard-working, friendly, and hospitable people. We returned from Bangladesh with warmth in our hearts, as well as with important declarations from the country’s Prime Minister, the Honorable Sheik Hasina, to whom we dedicated our cover page and main article”.
Ms. Elea V. Perez, Cultural Officer at the Embassy of the Philippines and Mr. Elias J.Balawag, Assistance to Nationals Officer and Attache, Philippines Embassy.
The crowded reception included a luxury car exhibition from Louwman Group, as well as exclusive Argentinean wines provided by the country’s Embassy and three special importers.
A live jazz band with a great singer provided the musical background, and a Cuban cigars special lounge and rum from the Embassy of Cuba added to the atmosphere. “Today, we are celebrating the relations of friendship and fraternity between the diplomatic community, the authorities of the host country and the Dutch friends in creating spaces and setting bridges between us to continue strengthening cooperation among all parties.” Declared H.E. Ms Soraya Alvarez, Ambassador of Cuba.
Cuban cigars tasting at Crowne Plaza VI Diplomats Welcome After Summer.
