Arusha, The Hague, 22 February 2019- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Judge Claudia Hoefer of Germany to the judicial roster of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), effective 21 February 2019.
Judge Hoefer served as a Legal Officer and Senior Legal Officer in the Chambers of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for more than 16 years. During her time at the ICTY, Judge Hoefer also served as Focal Point for Women, where she worked inter alia on promoting greater awareness of gender issues and a gender-sensitive working environment. Judge Hoefer is currently serving as Senior Civil Servant in the Ministry of Finance of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Previously, Judge Hoefer worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg, Germany.
Judge Hoefer was appointed following the resignation of Judge Christoph Flügge of Germany on 7 January 2019, and will serve the remainder of Judge Flügge’s term of office.
In accordance with its Statute, the Mechanism has a roster of 25 independent Judges who serve both branches of the Mechanism. Judge Hoefer’s Biography
On February 23rd, the Russian Federation and its armed forces celebrate the “Defender of the Motherland Day”, honouring all those who suffered and fell to defend their country. On February 21st, the Russian Embassy in The Hague celebrated this anniversary with a reception for the diplomatic community of The Hague.
In February 1918, more than one hundred years ago, during the Russian Civil War, the Red Guard troops faced and defeated the troops of the Kaiser of Germany. This event, which set the stage for the creation of the Red Army, is recalled nowadays to celebrate the yearly “Defender of the Motherland Day”, a Russian national holiday dedicated to all the members of the armed forces who suffered in order to defend their country.
The Embassy of Russia in the Netherlands decided to
celebrate this anniversary together with the diplomatic community of The Hague.
The Russian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, and the Embassy’s Defence
Attaché, Colonel Mikhail Klimuk, invited a number of guests including
Ambassadors and diplomats accredited in The Hague, welcoming them at the
entrance of the Embassy’s reception room.
After hearing the Russian and the Dutch national
anthems, the guests had the possibility to listen to the speech of H.E. Mr.
Shulgin. In his speech, the Ambassador paid tribute to all the men and women
who served in the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and who paid with
their health or lives for the security and the freedom of the country.
Recalling the origin of the anniversary, Ambassador Shulgin praised the
contribution of the Russian armed forces over the course of history, from their
achievements in defeating Nazism during World War II, to their numerous
peacekeeping and rescue mission operations over the last decades.
Coming to these days, “the armed forces are greatly contributing to the security of the country” by defending its interests both at home and abroad – the Ambassador said. He also noted that the armed forces are undertaking serious efforts to improve their organization and efficiency, constantly modernizing themselves in order to be able to serve the country appropriately in the present and in the future.
After the Ambassador’s speech, the guests enjoyed the
drinks and the large buffet full of typical Russian food, kindly provided by
the Embassy. While leaving the reception, the guests stopped by to thank
Ambassador Shulgin and Colonel Klimuk for their great hospitality.
Phan Thị Kim Phúc and The Duke of Kent. Photography by Oliver Killig
Monday, 11 February 2019, Dresden, Free State of Saxony: Phan Thị Kim Phúc better known globally as the “Napalm girl” received the Dresden Peace Prize from the hands of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, The Prince Edward of the United Kingdom of Great Britan and Northern Ireland.
US Photojournalist James Nachtwey, likely the most recognisable war photographer of our time, paid tribute to prizewinner Kim Phúc with an impressive encomium. He himself is a Dresden Prize laureate from 2012. Nick Ut’s photograph of the “Napalm Girl” in 1972 was indeed motivated him to become a photographer, because it showed him that photographs can make huge differences.
Nachtwey highlighted Kim Phúc contributions to the comprehension of peace rather well during his speech: ´If her life had become a living symbol of war, she made the decision to transform it into a living symbol of peace. She chose to let go of hatred – to understand that even though there can never be justice, she would find forgiveness in her heart and redeem tragedy with love.´
HRH The Duke of Kent was awarded the Dresden Prize in 2015 for his “contribution to British-German reconciliation”. This time around, he presented the award sculpture to Kim Phúc. In his allocution, he mentioned: Today, we are reminded of shocking image of war, the photograph of Phan Thị Kim Phúc. Her pain, her courage, forgiveness and compassion are a living symbol for us all.
James Nachtwey, Phan Thị Kim Phúc and The Duke of Kent. Photography by Oliver Killig.
The Dresden Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 2010 in the Semperoper. When the idea to initiate an international peace prize with the name ´Dresden-Preis´ (Dresden Peace Prize) was conceived, it was clear what it should represent: i) to learn from the city’s fate, ii) to intervene before everything is held for disposal, as it was done in the art city Dresden
Since 2010, the Dresden Peace Prize has been awarded annually in the Semperoper. Previous laureates are Nobel Peace Prize laureateMichail Gorbachev, pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, war photographer James Nachtwey, former Soviet officer Stanislav Petrov, former child soldier and present-time peace activist and musician Emmanuel Jal, HRH The Duke of Kent, as well as the forefather of all whistle-blowers Daniel Ellsberg, Domenico Lucano and Dr. Tommie Smith.
The situation in Venezuela remains tense ahead of February 23rd, the date set by opposition leader Juan Guaidó for allowing humanitarian aid into the country. The current tensions trace back to January 23rd, when Mr. Guaidó declared himself as President of the Republic ad interim, swiftly gaining the recognition of a number of foreign countries, notably the United States, followed by a number of American and European countries.
The United
States has assumed a leading role in the campaign against the government of
Nicolás Maduro. After January 23rd, the U.S. has stepped up its
economic measures against the current Venezuelan government, including through
new restrictions on the state-owned oil company PDVSA. The U.S. has also
harshened its rhetoric against Mr. Maduro and his government. In a speech in
Florida on Monday, President Trump has reiterated that, while peaceful regime
change remains the preferred path, “all options are on the table”. The U.S.
President openly called for the Venezuelan military to turn against Maduro, and
to allow the inflow of the humanitarian aid that is piling up along Venezuela’s
borders.
The issue
of the humanitarian aid remains a thorny one ahead of Saturday’s deadline. The
Venezuelan military will be involved first-hand at the border and its role will
be crucial in defining how the confrontation will evolve. While on the one hand
Mr. Trump has been calling for the military to disobey the current government,
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López assured that the military
and the government will not give in to the U.S. pressure. “They underestimate
us. We’re calling for carrying out our historic duty: to defend the country.”
Although
the U.S. and other American states such as Colombia have been taking the lead
in the international pressure campaign against Mr. Maduro’s government,
opposition leader Juan Guaidó stressed that the origin of all such initiatives resides
inside Venezuela, and that the Venezuelan people are those initiating the calls
for a political transition in the country.
In a joint operation, the German Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) Münster, the German Customs’ Investigation Office, the Dutch Specialised Prosecution Office for Fraud and Environmental Crime in Zwolle and the Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) dismantled an organised crime group (OCG) involved in international drug trafficking and money laundering.
The national investigations that culminated in the common action day were supported by Eurojust and Europol. A joint investigation team (JIT) was established in November 2018, which allowed the national authorities to quickly gather and safely exchange information and evidence. Eurojust provided financial support to the JIT and facilitated judicial and operational cooperation between the national authorities. Europol deployed a mobile office during the action and provided forensic support on the spot.
The national investigations into the OCG were initiated in September 2018. The OCG was composed of 13 members, including some of Afghan and Dutch origin. The suspects in the Netherlands prepared parcels or envelopes with drugs, which were mailed to Germany.
The perpetrators in Germany used various mailboxes and post offices to ship the packages on to recipients around the world. The orders were made online through the darknet, using cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin and paysafecards, given the anonymity it offers. Members of the OCG are also suspected of being involved in money laundering activities related to their profits.
Prior to today’s
action, amphetamines, MDMA, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy, with a total street
value of more than € 400 000, were seized. Today, 10 private
residences and business premises were searched at the German-Dutch border.
Large amounts of drugs, including 40 kg of amphetamine and 1 kg of
ecstasy pills, as well as mobile phones, computers, documents and € 10 000
in cash, were seized. Twelve suspects
were arrested, four under European Arrest Warrants.
Emilia Schuele, Bart de Boever and Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein during the Bulgari party with the motto #Starsinbulgari on February 7, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Bulgari)
Thursday, 7 February 2019, Secret Garden, Berlin: Curtain up for BVLGARI on the occasion of its annual party at the beginning of the film festival in Berlin. Apart from the brand ambassadorsPrincess Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Emilia Schüle, celebreties such as Toni Garrn, Daniel Brühl, Oliver Masucci, Lars Eidinger, Lena Gercke, Sonja Gerhardt and Ellen von Unwerthattended the event.
During the 69th Berlin Film Festival the Italian jewellery house hosted their – meanwhile traditional – exclusive party for the 6th time. According to the motto #STARSINBVLGARI the fascinating facettes of cinema were celebrated in the venue of the Secret Garden Berlin. Ever since, Bvlgari has had an eye for this fire, that fine difference, that in the flurry of the camera flashes reveals the greatest beauties to the world. You hear the cameras snap, the lips are pursed, a glance brushes aside, and the Bvlgari woman moves on sensually, with sophisticated glamour in every wink towards the photographers.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 07: Emilia Schuele and Oliver Masucci during the Bulgari party with the motto #Starsinbulgari on February 7, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Bulgari)
Linked to the film industry for many decades, Bvlgari jewellery has played a leading role in over 40 films, walked the red carpets at the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the major film festivals from Berlin to Cannes. Bvlgari embellished big names like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron and Julienne Moore, to name only a few, with precious and outstanding jewels.
Also at this year’s film festival in Berlin, the Roman jeweller sparkled to the bet with the photographer’s flashlights and celebrated a fabulous party, accompanied by the sounds of actor and DJ Lars Eidinger (Autistic Disco / !K7) and Bonnie (Musique Couture / InLoveWith).
BVLGARI Part of the LVMH Group, Bvlgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewellery shop and quickly established a reputation for Italian excellence with exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent jewellery creations.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 07: Rick Okon and Amy Mussul during the Bulgari party with the motto #Starsinbulgari on February 7, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Bulgari)
The Company’s international success has evolved into a global and diversified luxury purveyor of products and services ranging from fine jewels and watches to accessories and perfumes, with an unrivalled network of boutiques and hotels in the world’s most exclusive shopping areas.
Amongst the prominent participants this year were HSH Prinzessin Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Bulgari Brand Ambassador), Emilia Schüle (Bulgari Brand Ambassador), Toni Garrn, Leonard Freier, Daniel Brühl, Oliver Masucci, Ellen von Unwerth, Lars Eidinger, Lena Gercke, Sonja Gerhardt, Gizem Emre, Rick Okon, etc.
100 days before the ballot to the European Parliament taking place on 26 May 2019, Hessian Minister of Federal and European Affairs, Lucia Putrich, began a series of events under the motto “Lebe dein Europa”/Live your Europe.
Wiesbaden, State of Hesse: the elections being held under the motto “This time I’am voting/Diesmal wähle ich” are being promoted by the European Parliament Information Office in order to motivate citizens to vote. “The European Parliament is our democratic representation towards the European Union and shapes with its decisions our lives. Hence the European election is as important as the federal elections” according to Minister Lucia Puttrich. “We would like in Hesse to send a signal – through a high ballot participation as well as a clear declaration for a united, democratic Europe”.
In fact, Minister Puttrich is optimistic, for during the plebiscite in Hesse held on 28 October 2018, 82,4 per cent of Hessians voted in favour for the inclusion into the state’s constitution of a clause that declares the pursuit of a united Europe.
Minister Lucia Puttrich. Photography by Michael von Lingen.
Hessen is prominently pro-European: “Through the European Central Bank and other European top organisations, the international financial centre, the plentiful economic ties and rapid transport connections to all European capitals, is Hesse and in particularly Frankfurt, re-markedly European, and we profit from the European integration”.
On their part, the Hessian State Government has already launched its own campaign to encourage people to vote and be active before the elections on 26 May. As Minister Puttrich emphasises the “Europe is not anonymous institutions in distant Brussels but rather Europe is everyone of us”.
In 2014 lay the ballot participation by 48,1, that is, a remarkable increase since thirty-five years. In Hesse there was a participation increase of 4,3 to 42,2 percent.
On the picture, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, H.E. Mr Audun Halvorsen.
The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, met with the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, H.E. Mr Audun Halvorsen, during a visit to OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General and the State Secretary discussed progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), as well as the June 2018 decision by the States Parties to address the threat from chemical weapons use. With reference to that decision, and in accordance with the Programme and Budget decision of the OPCW for 2019, the State Secretary announced a voluntary contribution of €100,000 from Norway to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions.
He remarked: “Norway has always been a strong supporter of the work of the OPCW to keep the world free of chemical weapons. This is now more important than ever. This grant will contribute to the identification of the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Syria, and, hence, contribute to increased security and diminishing human suffering in Syria.”
The discussions further focused on the implications of the recent Fourth Review Conference for OPCW’s future activities, and the expansion of the Organisation’s laboratory capabilities through the construction of a Centre for Chemistry and Technology.
The Director-General thanked the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs for the contribution and expressed: “The work of the OPCW is sustained by the humanity’s desire to live in a world free of chemical weapons and underpinned by the support of State Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. I want to express my thanks to Norway for its long-standing and staunch commitment to verifiably eliminating chemical weapons.”
The delta bond between Bangladesh and the Netherlands was reassured in a seminar at the Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte in The Hague on 21 January 2019.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal, in his speech, expected that that the Netherlands, with its vast reservoir of knowledge and technology, huge pool of water and delta related business entities and knowledge institutions as well as enormous goodwill for Bangladesh, will come forward to support Bangladesh to implement the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.
Ambassador Belal appreciated Dutch innovation and creativity in securing their country from the scourge of floods despite large part of its being below the mean sea level and underscored that the Dutch ingeniosity in delta management would be critical in implementing Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 as well like its technical assistance to Bangladesh in formulating the plan.
The Ambassador recalled the historic visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Netherlands in November 2015 and the twin-ministerial visit from the Netherlands to Bangladesh in June 2015 towards forging institutional cooperation between the two delta countries and the Dutch assurance for the implementation of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to make our delta safe and productive for the people.
Ambassador Belal also urged Dutch support for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and be a partner of development through implementation of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, which is premised on greater attention to the grassroots through its in-built bottom-up approach.
Prof. Dr. Jaap de Heer,
Prof. Dr. Jaap de Heer, Team Leader and Director of the Consortium assigned to prepare the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, made a keynote presentation in the seminar. He elaborated on the genesis of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and explained the key features of the plan and implementation challenges. Appreciating the Government of Bangladesh for undertaking a long-term plan for sustainable deltaic Bangladesh, Professor Jaap de Heer underscored the need to mobilize required fund and appropriate institutions to implement the plan.
As the delta management in Bangladesh will largely depend upon cooperation with the Himalayan basin countries due to Bangladesh’s many trans-boundary rivers, Professor Jaap de Heer also emphasized the need to have broader regional cooperation in the water sector across the basin states.
The Ambassador and Professor Jaap de Heer responded to the questions asked by the distinguished members of the Asian Table. The program was conducted by Secretary of the Asian Table Mr. Ronald Staallekker. Amongst the audience, there were former ambassadors, civil servants, politicians, consultants in different fields with experience in Asia in general and Bangladesh in particular.
The Littéraire Sociëteit De
Witte in The Hague is an elite institution known for its selective
but very professionally rendered events for its members.
By Anton Lutter.
On the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, ambassador to the Netherlands hosted a reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in The Hague.
The ambassador – who represents his country since 2017 – reiterated the importance of the longstanding friendship between the Netherlands and the State of Qatar. Since 2006 Qatar has an embassy in The Hague one year after the Netherlands opened its embassy in Doha, which resulted amongst others in multiple trade missions and official visits.
In July of this year the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, signed a memorandum of understanding with Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Stef Blok on the establishment of political consultations on issues of mutual interest. Only a few months earlier the Dutch’ new embassy premises were inaugurated in the presence of Mrs. Joke Brandt, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and her Qatari counterpart Dr. Ahmad Hassan al-Hammadi.
The reception at Crown Plaza was a showcase of traditional Qatari cuisine, which was hugely appreciated by the attending diplomats, businesspeople and other guests.
