H. E. Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh, former Deputy Mayor of The Hague, the Guest of Honor, H.E. Mr. Carlos J. Arguello Gomez, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Dr. Dilruba Nasrin spouse of the Bangladesh Ambassador and H.E. Sheik Mohammed Bellal, Ambassador of Bangladesh.

28 August 2019, The Hague: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was remembered in the Netherlands by foreign diplomats and dignitaries as they attended the first ever art exhibition on Bangabandhu titled ‘Bangabandhu : In Remembrance’on 28 August 2019 at the Embassy of Bangladesh, The Hague. A sizable crowd of Diplomats and dignitaries attended the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition.

Ambassadors of the Republic of India, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of the Sudan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Republic of Nicaragua, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of the Philippines, Malaysia, Republic of Kosovo, Republic of Georgia and Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See as well as representatives from the Embassy of United States, Spain, Russian Federation, Panama and Austria were present in the inauguration ceremony.

Chairperson of the Board of Trust Fund Victims H.E. Mr. Felippe Micheleni, and other TFV Board Members and representatives from International Organizations were also in attendance.

Former Deputy Mayor of The Hague H. E Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh and H.E. Mr. Carlos J. Arguello Gomez, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands were the Guest of Honor of the ceremony and joined the Ambassador of Bangladesh H.E.  Sheikh Mohammed Belal in inaugurating the art exhibition ceremonially. 

A total of thirty art works of artists from Bangladesh, including art works of celebrated artists Mr. Quayyum Chowdhury, Rafiqun Nabi, Sarbori Roy Choudhury, Murtaja Baseer, Abdus Sattar and Jamal Ahmedetc being exhibited by the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague in cooperation with Buriganga Arts and Crafts, Dhaka. 

More than 100 guests, comprising members of diplomatic corps, local media, students, expatriate Bangladesh community gathered in the opening ceremony.

Ambassador of India to the Netherlands HE Mr. Venu Rajamony stated Bangabandhu as the greatest Bengali of all time and shared his own memory of “Joy Bangla” moment in his life when he heard, in his own ear, the news of Bangladesh’s independence on 16 December 1971 when he was a boy of eleven years.

Terming Bangabandhu’s assassination as history’s one of the darkest chapter, he recalled the days of Bangabandhu’s two remaining daughters in India after the assassination of Bangabandhu. Recalling his time with former President of India Hon’ble Pranab Mukerjee, with whom he have had the privilege of serving as his Press Secretary, Ambassador Rajamony shared how respectfully Bangabandhu is recalled in the whole of India and indeed in the world.

He praised the peace loving people of Bangladesh and urged everybody to draw inspirations from history’s one of the greatest leader – Bangabandhu .AmbassadorRajamony became emotional when he tried to share his experience of his visit to Bangabandhu Museum in Bangladesh years ago. 

Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh, former Deputy Mayor of The Hague in his speechdrew reference from former Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Bangabandhu. Mr. Baldewsingh shared Fidel Castro’s famous quote “I have not seen the Himalayas. But I have seen Sheikh Mujib. In personality and in courage, this man is the Himalayas. I have thus had the experience of witnessing the Himalayas.” with the audience. Mayor Rabin presented himself as a witness to Bangabandhu’s unmatched love for his people while recalling his recent visit to Bangladesh.

Mr. Rabin went to state that although Fidel Castro’s “Himalayas” like Bangabandhu was there, in the state power, only for short time but left an indelible record of serving people with unmatched love and passion. Mr. Rabin, showing a portrait of Bangladeshi National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam which was among the exhibits in the exhibition, recited Nazrul’s poem“Sammya” in depicting the philosophy of unity and harmony cherished by Bangabandhu throughout his life. 

The Guest of Honor, H.E. Mr. Carlos J. Arguello Gomez, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and H. E. Rabin Baldewsingh, former Deputy Mayor of The Hague congratulated Bangladesh Embassy for organizing such a wonderful art exhibition in the Netherlands to bring life and ideals of  the founding father of Bangladesh- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Mr. Gomez expressed his gratitude for giving him the opportunity to know the “Himalayas of Bangladesh” and thanked Ambassador Belal profusely for giving him the opportunity to know more about a personality like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He agreed with Ambassador Belal that in this time of populism plagued world, leaders like Bangabandhu would have been the right antidote.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal while welcoming the international guests to the first ever art exhibition on Bangabandhu in the Netherlands paid tributes to the best Bangalee of all time, the architect of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Ambassador Belal gave a brief introduction to Bangabandhu colourful political life and narrated how Bangabandhu sacrificed his whole life for the welfare of his people. Giving reference to world’s greatest leaders, Ambassador Belal stated that Bangabandhu was as unique in his unequivocal love for his people as history is going to  get ever. I

f there were any flaws in his character, it was that of his unbound love for his people.Indeed, his people, in return, gave Bangabandhu, what Ambassador Belal termed as ‘childhood of immortality’, as their love for Bangabandhu only growing in esteem and revence as they know more and more about Bangabandhu. Ambassador Belal noted that the canvas of Bangabandhu’s life is too big to grasp in a brief setting like this or in an exhibition or two. He went to state that “childhood of immortality” that people of Bangladesh bestowed on Bangabandhu is a perpetual inspiration for all to continue their quest to know more about him through in-depth research and studies.

Ambassador Belal added that, Bangabandhu’s love, dedication and vision for the country were second to none and the untimely demise of Bangabandhu not only made our development journey challenging but also created a scarcity of leadership in the political system of Bangladesh. However, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh found its lost hope and a way to turn around. Ambassador Belal also briefly shared milestones of Bangladesh’s development journey under the leadership of Bangabandhu worthy daughter Sheikh and narrated how she turned Bangladesh truly a role model for development to the world.

Former Dutch Ambassador to Dhaka H.E. Mr. Garben de Jong narrated his own memories during his tenure in Dhaka and informed that he saw spontaneous love and affection of mass people towards their great leader Bangabandhu. He reminisced his visit to Foreign Ministry in Dhaka where had the chance of observing so many beautiful paintings on Bangabandhu. 

Mr. Sulayman, Curator of Buriganga Arts and Crafts, Dhaka presented how contemporary arts are being evolved in Bangladesh and how our contemporary artists are adding new dimensions in this ancient form of art.He thanked the Embassy for taking such an innovative initiative for showing respect towards our father of the nation – Bangabandhu.

Earlier in the day, an art camp for children was arranged involving children of Bangladeshi diaspora. In the camp, conducted by visiting artists Dr. Gopal Chandra Trivedi and Mr. Shafiqul Islam, children put their thought and imagination on Bangabandhu in an innovative and creative display of talent.Both the programs were conducted by Dr. Dilruba Nasrin – spouse of Ambassador Belal.

The exhibition will continue till 30 August 2019. A large number of visitors are expected to visit the three-day long art exhibition.

Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa, presiding on the delivery of the judgment of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court on 2 September 2019 at the seat of the Court in The Hague, Netherlands ©ICC-CPI

ICC Appeals Chamber rejects the Prosecutor’s appeal

On 2 September 2019, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”), Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa presiding, delivered its judgment and rejected the appeal of the Prosecutor against the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I on the “Application for Judicial Review by the Government of the Union of the Comoros”‘ of 15 November 2018. The Appeals Chamber’s judgment was taken by majority, with Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza issuing partly dissenting opinions.

By way of background, on 14 May 2013, a referral was received by the Office of the Prosecutor from the authorities of the Union of the Comoros, a State Party to the Rome Statute, in relation to an attack on 31 May 2010 by the Israeli Defence Forces on the Humanitarian Aid Flotilla bound for the Gaza strip. On 6 November 2014, the Prosecutor issued her decision not to investigate the attack. On 16 July 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber I, by majority, requested  the Prosecutor to reconsider the 6 November 2014 decision not to investigate the attack. Subsequently, on 29 November 2017 the Prosecutor filed her decision, which she considered to be final, reaffirming her previous decision not to investigate the attack. On 15 November 2018, Pre-Trial Chamber I directed the Prosecutor to reconsider her decision of 6 November 2014 not to investigate the attack in light of the specific directions of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s 16 July 2015 Decision. The Prosecutor then appealed this decision.

The Appeals Chamber Judgment today confirms the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision of 15 November 2018 to the effect that the Prosecutor must reconsider her decision on the Comoros’ referral, by 2 December 2019, in light of the specific directions of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s 16 July 2015 Decision and the directions of the Appeals Chamber in its judgment. The Appeals Chamber nevertheless maintained, Judge Eboe-Osuji and Judge Ibáñez dissenting, that the ‘ultimate decision’ as to whether or not to initiate an investigation is that of the Prosecutor.

Legal reasoning

The Appeals Chamber considered that Pre-Trial Chamber I did not err in reviewing  whether a decision of the Prosecutor that she considered to be ‘final’ subsequently to a first request for reconsideration, does actually amounts to a proper ‘final decision’. The scope of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s review in such a case is limited to establishing whether or not the Prosecutor carried out the reconsideration in accordance with the Pre-Trial Chamber’s request.

The Appeals Chamber also noted that the Prosecutor is required to demonstrate how she addressed the relevant issues in light of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s directions. It also indicated that where questions of law arise, the only authoritative interpretation of the relevant law is that adopted by the judges of the Court. Also, the Prosecutor must comply, if directed by the Pre-Trial Chamber, to take into account certain available information when determining whether there is a sufficient factual basis to initiate an investigation.

However, the Majority of the Appeals Chamber found, Judge Eboe-Osuji and Judge Ibáñez dissenting, that it is not for the Pre-Trial Chamber to direct the Prosecutor as to how to assess this information and which factual findings she should reach. The Appeals Chamber found that the Prosecutor failed to follow the Pre-Trial Chamber’s legal interpretations and thus the Pre-Trial Chamber did not err when it decided to direct the Prosecutor to carry out a new reconsideration of her decision not to investigate.

From satisfied Eurojust ‘client’ to eager new French National Member

Baudoin Thouvenot became the new National Member for France at Eurojust on 1 September, replacing Frédéric Baab. Mr Thouvenot is a career investigative judge.

He was 12 years old when he decided on his future professional path, and he never changed course. His first appointment as an investigative judge was with the Court of Dunkerque in 1991, followed by several posts in the jurisdictions of the Court of Paris.

His last appointment was as Dean of the Investigative Judges for the Court of Paris. For 10 of his 15 years as an investigative judge for the Court of Paris, Mr Thouvenot was associated with the JIRS of Paris (Interregional specialised jurisdiction, dealing with organised crime).

In that role, he began attending Eurojust coordination meetings starting in 2003, and became familiar with its work. Mr Thouvenot became a convinced ‘client’ of Eurojust over the years, pleasantly surprised and satisfied with what could be achieved in a case, even after a one-day coordination meeting. He said, ‘Eurojust is a practical and efficient means for judicial cooperation’.

In 2006, Mr Thouvenot became involved in a three-part documentary film project on ‘Judicial Europe’, focusing on cases concerning trafficked women, and demonstrating judicial cooperation in action, based on his own expertise and experiences.

Mr Thouvenot sees his mandate as French National Member at Eurojust as a logical step in his career. He said, ‘I am eager to enrich my knowledge by learning about the different judicial systems and feel strongly that, in terms of judicial cooperation, there are no “small countries”; there are only magistrates fighting crime across borders. I am looking forward to working hand-in-hand with all my colleagues and imparting a strong European spirit in the College’.

Photo © Eurojust.

Latin American Embassies to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Perú and Uruguay, will launch the  Latin American Film Fest – Delft 2019, which will be held from September 19^th to 29^th, 2019, at Filmhuis Lumen, in the City of Delft.

During the two weeks, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional selection of Latin American movies.