On Monday, March 10, Chile made a remarkable impact at ViniBio 2025, a prestigious event that brought together more than 36 wine importers and producers from France, Italy, Spain, and Chile. This edition of ViniBio, held in the Netherlands, featured over 500 wines available for tasting, showcasing a diverse selection of organic, biodynamic, and natural wines.
One of the most anticipated moments was the Masterclass “Chili, Puur Natuur” (Chile, Pure Nature), led by renowned Dutch wine writer and oenologist Fred Nijhuis. Organized by ProChile, this session offered an in-depth exploration of Chile’s organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, emphasizing the country’s commitment to sustainable and high-quality wine production.
Osvaldo Marinao
Commercial Attaché / Chilean Promotion Bureau•Embassy of the Republic of Chile during the tasting at ViniBio 2025.
During the Masterclass, attendees had the opportunity to learn about and taste 12 wines from seven Chilean wineries, each carefully selected for its excellence and dedication to environmentally friendly cultivation practices.
The participating wineries included Don Juan José, Organic O (Emiliana), Las Niñas, Lautaro Wines, Moscin, Santa Alicia, and SinZero. This event served as an excellent platform to showcase Chilean wines on the international stage and reinforce Chile’s position as a leader in organic and natural wine production.
“Chili, Puur Natuur”.
ViniBio 2025, organized by Melman Communications—a PR agency specializing in the wine sector—provided not only an opportunity to taste exceptional wines but also facilitated valuable exchanges among sommeliers, restaurateurs, wine importers, and the media. The event, held at the Hotel Van der Valk, Amsterdam Amstel, brought together around 30 importers and foreign producers to highlight organic, biodynamic, and natural wines from Europe and beyond.
Since 9/11, the United States (US) has relied on unmanned drone strikes to counter so-called terrorism in Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan, Libya and Afghanistan. Initiated under George W. Bush and continued during Barack Obama’s presidency, these strikes were touted as precise and minimally disruptive. However, reality is the opposite.
Between 2004 and 2018, there were about 439 US drone strikes in Pakistan, causing approximately 4026 deaths, including 969 civilians and 207 children, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. ‘These figures expose the US claims of precision and underscore the lack of transparency in the drone programme. These drone strikes violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and breached several international laws. Despite the devastating impact of these strikes on Pakistani civilians and sovereignty, Pakistan has no viable legal forum to seek reparations or challenge these actions.
This insight explores the violations of international law by US drone strikes, the systemic challenges Pakistan faces in seeking legal recourse, and the potential avenues available for victims to pursue justice and reparations.
Under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, states are prohibited from using force against another state’s territorial integrity or political independence. The US drone strikes in Pakistan are a clear violation of this principle. However, the US has argued that Pakistan’s earlier perceived tacit approval of these operations negates claims of sovereignty violations. Yet, these claims of tacit approval are not substantiated and remain speculative, further diluting their credibility. ’
‘Victims can leverage national courts and legal systems to bridge these gaps, while affected states may unite to establish a joint forum to address these violations.
Moreover, the US invokes the doctrine of self-defence against nonstate actors to justify these operations. However, this claim fails to meet the stringent criteria of Article 51 of the UN Charter, which requires an armed attack of sufficient scale and urgency. Furthermore, if the justification is based on preemptive self-defence, even then, as per the Caroline incident, the threat has to be “instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means, and no moment for deliberation,” which was not the case in the present scenario. Therefore, the justifications of the US are not grounded in law.
Even if the legality of the strikes under jus ad bellum was arguable, their execution violates international humanitarian law (IHL) principles. Signature and double-tap strikes fail to distinguish between combatants and civilians as these strikes target individuals whose behaviour is like any terrorist. The approach has been criticised as it can target any military-aged man and violates the principles of distinction and proportionality under the IHL.
However, addressing these violations is fraught with significant legal challenges. Pakistan and the US have neither consented to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice nor signed the Rome Statute. Moreover, the formation of the UN Security Council (UNSC) complicates matters, as the US will likely block any resolution condemning US actions as a permanent member.
This accountability void extends beyond Pakistan. In Yemen, 453 drone strikes between 2002 and 2018 caused approximately 225 civilian casualties. Somalia experienced 261 strikes, causing approximately 143 civilian casualties. In Libya, drone operations escalated during and after NATO’s 2011 intervention, causing unintended civilian harm. Afghanistan witnessed thousands of strikes in its territory. While many were carried out with the consent of the government, civilian casualties from these strikes remain a significant issue.However, despite the formidable challenges, there are avenues for victims of US drone strikes in Pakistan to pursue justice and reparations. While jurisdiction and political hurdles often block direct legal action against the US, victims can still explore alternative strategies to seek accountability.
One promising option is leveraging domestic courts in Pakistan to compel the government to act on behalf of its citizens. Building on the precedent set by the Al Noor Khan case in the Peshawar High Court in 2013, where the court ruled that US drone strikes violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and international law, victims can file further constitutional petitions. These efforts can press the Pakistani government to implement reparative measures. Additionally, domestic litigation can challenge the government to engage actively with the US on its citizens’ behalf.
Victims can collaborate with human rights organisations to document and advocate for their cases on the international stage. These organisations have a history of raising awareness and putting pressure on the US to address civilian harm caused by drone operations. For example, in Ahmed Salem bin Ali Jaber v. United States in US courts in 2015, Yemeni victims, through advocacy and legal support, brought international attention to a drone strike that killed civilians, including a local imam. Although the case was dismissed in US courts due to the political question doctrine, it demonstrated the potential of international advocacy to highlight such injustices.
Furthermore, victims can seek reparations through diplomatic and non-judicial mechanisms. There is precedence for the US offering financial compensation in certain cases. For instance, in 2015, the US publicly acknowledged and compensated the families of two hostages—an American and an Italian—who were killed in a drone strike in Pakistan. While the US has not acknowledged civilian harm caused by drone strikes as warranting reparations, historical examples from other contexts reinforce the principle of state accountability. For instance, Libya paid US$170 million to victims of the 1989 UTA Flight 772 bombing and US$2.7 billion for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Though the circumstances differ, this case illustrates that reparations can serve as a mechanism to address grievances and promote accountability.
The legal and institutional gaps in addressing the repercussions of US drone strikes are undeniable. From Pakistan to Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan, affected nations and their citizens face immense challenges in seeking justice for civilian harm and sovereignty violations. Victims can leverage national courts and legal systems to bridge these gaps, while affected states may unite to establish a joint forum to address these violations. Such collective action is not merely about seeking justice and reparations but about creating a framework for accountability and safeguarding civilian rights. As drone warfare continues to expand, these measures are essential to uphold international law, prevent future violations, and ensure that the voices of the harmed are neither ignored nor forgotten.
About the author:
Maham Ayaz
Maham Ayaz is a Research Associate at the Center of Excellence for International Law (CEIL)) ISSRA, NDU. specializing in Public International Law. Her current work focuses on the legal aspects of transboundary water disputes, including the Indus Waters Treaty,contributing to research on complex international issues.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Netherlands, H.E. Vladimir Tarabrin, hosted a concert to commemorate the 185th anniversary of the renowned Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The event featured an outstanding performance by opera singer Elena Bazhenova, a soloist with an illustrious career in the Pyatnitsky State Choir, the State Ensemble Russian Song, the Russian Spiritual Theater Glas, and the Central Navy Band of Russia. She has also performed as a soloist with the Presidential Orchestra of Russia. Accompanying her on the piano was the talented pianist Marion Pauw-Holleman.
Russian opera singer, Elena Bazhenova
The program showcased a selection of eight short songs by Tchaikovsky. The concert was attended by a distinguished gathering of diplomats, members of Dutch society, and Russian nationals from the diaspora. Among the diplomatic guests were H.E. Mr. Vusimuzi Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa; H.E. Mr. Andrei Yeudachenka, Ambassador of Belarus; H.E. Mr. Jian Tan, Ambassador of China; and H.E. Mr. Hector Constant Rosales, Ambassador of Venezuela for multilateral organizations.
“Today is an absolutely friendly, non-political concert. Spring is coming, and we decided to mark the season’s beginning with classical music. Similar concerts are being held in several countries, and we hope this will become a tradition. I am pleased to welcome ambassadors from friendly nations, diplomats, representatives of Dutch society, and our compatriots—Russian citizens who live and work in The Hague. We are honored to present a distinguished singer performing worldwide, along with an exceptional pianist,” stated Ambassador Tarabrin.
Since presenting his credentials to King Willem-Alexander on 31 January 2024, Ambassador Tarabrin has organized several remarkable concerts at the Russian Embassy, promoting cultural exchange through music. Following the concert, guests enjoyed a dinner featuring Russian gastronomy, providing an opportunity to discuss the evening’s performance.
Pianist Marion Pauw-Holleman and singer Elena Bazhenova, performing during the celebration of 185th Anniversary of Tchaikovsky.
The event follows a tradition of musical excellence at the Russian Embassy. Last summer, on 29 July, Ambassador Tarabrin introduced laureate young pianist Eva Gevorgyan from the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory and the Reina Sofía School of Music. She delivered an exquisite program featuring works by Schumann, Chopin, and Ravel, further highlighting the embassy’s commitment to promoting classical music and artistic talent on an international stage.
Should you decide to see only one museum exhibition this year, let it be “Sag mir wo die Blumen sind,” with works by Anselm Kiefer and Vincent van Gogh. Consider this magnificent exhibition even if you weren’t planning to go to a museum. Not only is it overwhelming by the size and impact of the works shown (some of which were specially made for this event), but it is also supremely topical.
It is actually a Kiefer exhibition, with a few works by Van Gogh to illustrate his influence on Kiefer’s development. After completing his formal education, Kiefer obtained a travel scholarship. He chose to follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps from Nuenen in Brabant to Arles in Provence, making numerous sketches on the way.
Like Van Gogh, Kiefer focuses on landscapes, grain, and straw. Unlike Van Gogh, his work conveys a profound anti-war sentiment. For Kiefer, landscape is history. It’s not merely that the subjects of his works are anti-war; Kiefer is subtler than that. Black crows hover over an eerie landscape; a single sheaf remains in an empty field, a dark wood lane leading nowhere. Kiefer doesn’t just use paint; he incorporates wood, straw, lead, and even gold leaf, all of which enhance his message.
The exhibition begins at the Van Gogh Museum and continues at the Stedelijk (Municipal) Museum. In the entrance hall, a massive screen, approximately 10 meters high, showcases changing works by Van Gogh. This somewhat prepares you, but not entirely, for the first room, which is filled with paintings by Anselm Kiefer as large as a London bus.
Fortunately, the hall is very spacious, as you’ll need serious distance to appreciate the impact of the artwork fully. Then get close and see how, like Van Gogh, Kiefer uses sweeping, seemingly wild brushstrokes. He lays the paint on thickly and uses whatever materials he has at hand. Text fragments of the song “Sag mir wo die Blumen sind,” an anti-war song first performed in 1962 by Marlene Dietrich, are incorporated in the works.
Upstairs is a room with the drawings Kiefer made on his early trip following Van Gogh. The influence is clearly visible, but as he wrote himself, he was more interested in the technique than in the feelings, the emotions behind them.
Then, off to the Stedelijk. As you ascend the majestic, wide stairs, you find yourself immersed in an enormous installation featuring dozens of garments on hangers crafted from lead or zinc. Are they pajamas, uniforms, or even concentration camp attire? Scattered around are heads of Greek philosophers, alongside an image of Kiefer himself lying on the ground. There are paintings of trees shedding their leaves, with some resting on the floor. Without blood or gore, this creates a powerful portrayal of the devastation of war.
Maritime tensions are escalating, particularly in the South China Sea, where the UK has raised concerns about China’s activities and their impact on global trade routes. Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties are causing significant disruptions in shipping.
These disruptions have affected multiple regions. Clarksons, a leading shipping services provider, experienced a sharp decline in shares due to tariff-related concerns. FedEx also suspended freight services to Saudi Arabia from key trading partners such as Brazil and China. Meanwhile, the ongoing Red Sea crisis—marked by Houthi attacks on commercial vessels—has forced ships to reroute, leading to higher insurance costs and affecting trade flows for Israel, Egypt, and surrounding regions.
Geopolitical tensions and trade policies are the primary drivers behind these shipping disruptions. In the Red Sea, Houthi forces have deliberately targeted ships, prompting costly detours and surging insurance premiums. For nations dependent on the Suez Canal, particularly in Europe, these shifts have serious economic consequences. Simultaneously, U.S.-imposed trade tariffs on countries like Canada and Mexico have led to further delays and economic strain. Conflicts and sanctions also create sudden shifts in shipping routes, amplifying uncertainty across global supply chains.
The ripple effects of these disruptions are far-reaching. Delays and increased costs impact essential industries such as energy, food, and electronics. The strain on major shipping lanes also puts additional pressure on alternative routes, ports, and global pricing structures, underscoring the vulnerability of international trade to geopolitical instability.
The Hague, Monday, 3 March 2025 – The Ambassador of Moldova, H.E. Mr. Veaceslav Dobinda, and his spouse, Mrs. Victoria Dobinda, proudly hosted an interactive reception to celebrate the cherished Moldovan tradition of Mărțișor, symbolizing the arrival of spring. This significant event took place at the Moldovan embassy.
Mărțișor holds profound cultural importance, with its origins tracing back to ancient Rome as a celebration of spring. This vibrant tradition is not only widely celebrated in Moldova but also in Romania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. Recognizing its historical and cultural value, UNESCO has rightfully designated Mărțișor as an intangible cultural heritage.
The Ambassador of Moldova, H.E. Mr. Veaceslav Dobinda, and his spouse, Mrs. Victoria Dobinda. ” Small country with a big heart” said the Ambassador.
The modern Marisor tradition clearly dictates that participants wear a small object on their chest, such as a brooch or lapel pin, throughout the first part of March. Many friends from Moldova actively joined the interactive morning event, where they enthusiastically prepared the red and white Martisor ornaments.
Victoria Dobinda confidently showcased her impressive collection of Marisor items, which she has meticulously accumulated over the years.
Ala Adamia, from Slovenia and Nela Colin from Bosnia & HerzegovinaCelebrating Mărțișor, Moldova spring, Embassy of Moldova in The Hague, Monday 3 March 2025.
The event concluded with a lavish and authentic Moldavian buffet that proudly featured a selection of Moldovan beverages, including champagne and ice-wine.
All attendees left the Moldovan Embassy energized and enriched by the experience, particularly through the vibrant celebration of Moldovan culture and the Marisor tradition.
To celebrate the 17th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, the Embassy of Kosovo in the Netherlands held a celebratory evening at the iconic Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague on February 17,2025.
This historic venue, which is also the final resting place of the esteemed philosopher Baruch Spinoza, serves as a symbol of tolerance and solidarity.
Mr. Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, during his speech. 17th Anniversary of Kosovo. Nieuwe Kerk , The Hague.
The day began with carillon music from the Grote Kerk, which filled the air with a selection of Kosovarian tunes, including the national anthem. H.E. Dr. Dren Doli, the Ambassador of Kosovo, warmly welcomed everyone in attendance. The guests were also honored to hear from Mr. Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of The Hague, who emphasized the city commitment to supporting the initiatives of the diplomatic community, highlighting The Hague status as a symbol of peace and justice. Additionally, the audience enjoyed the soulful music of the Rona Nishliu Quartet.
The evening was expertly guided by Mr. Francesco Cortese, the executive assistant at the Embassy, serving as the Master of Ceremonies. February 17th is a deeply significant day for the Kosovars as it represents the realization of a long-held dream – the dream of freedom. The history of Kosovo is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering hope. It reflects the journey of a people who have faced tremendous hardships yet have always held on to their aspirations for a brighter future.
Seventeen years ago, Kosovo’s people began a new chapter filled with hope and opportunity. Today, this commitment is reflected in Kosovo’s steadfast dedication to the values of democracy, human rights, and peace, as well as its aspiration for a European Union and NATO membership.
The Rona Nishliu Quartet showcasing a medley of traditional Albanian music.
The Rona Nishliu Quartet showcasing a medley of traditional Albanian music, seamlessly blending jazz and ethno arrangements of some of the most emblematic Albanian songs. Rona represented Albania at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, where she achieved an impressive fifth place, marking the best placement for Albania to date.
The music performance was followed by a reception featuring delicacies from the region traditional cuisine. The Embassy of Kosovo proudly extends its sincere gratitude to all attending ambassadors and diplomats, representatives from international organizations, officials from Dutch institutions, and members of the Kosovo diaspora living in the Netherlands.
“Your participation was vital in marking our 17th Independence Day, a remarkable evening, a true celebration.”
On 29 January 2025, H.E. Wang Xuefeng, Ambassador of China, extended warm New Year wishes and hosted a grand Chinese New Year celebration at Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen. The event brought together hundreds of diplomats, business leaders, and officials for an evening of cultural exchange and festivity.
The reception commenced at 16:30, providing guests with an opportunity to connect in a convivial atmosphere. The highlight of the evening was a spectacular cultural performance from 18:30 to 20:00, featuring a renowned art troupe from China, showcasing the rich traditions and artistic excellence of Chinese culture.
The Ambassador of China in Denmark, H.E. Wang Xuefeng.Embassy of China – China New Year of The Snake 29 02 2025. Photo Hasse Ferrold .
On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Lithuania – the 107th Anniversary of the Restoration of the State, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, H.E. Ms. Asta Radikaitė, invited guests to a concert featuring pianist Petras Geniušas and the Čiurlionis Quartet, followed by a reception on Thursday, 27 February 2025, in Holmens Kirke.
On February 28, 2025, H.E. Ms. Anesa Kundurovic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Kingdom of Denmark, hosted a celebration in Copenhagen to mark her country’s Independence Day. The event was attended by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Tourism, along with numerous guests from the diplomatic corps, business sector, and diaspora community.
Throughout her career, Ambassador Kundurovic has been engaged in diplomatic activities in more than 50 countries all over the world.
The Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Nepal, Hungary, Egypt, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Africa, Poland, Albania,The Philippines, Luxembourg, Turkey and Romania during the celebration of Bosnia & Herzegovina National Day in Copenhagen. Photo Hasse Ferrold
