The seventeenth session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened today at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, The Netherlands. From 5 to 12 December 2018, States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty, observer States, invited States, international and regional organizations and representatives from civil society will discuss key challenges facing the Statute, as it is turning 20 this year. States Parties will also make important decisions and adopt resolutions on key issues pertaining to the functioning of the Court and the Trust Fund for Victims, including in relation to their respective budgets, and on cooperation. “At this landmark anniversary that naturally leads us to introspection, review and reflection, we must move beyond making aspirational, grandiose statements in international fora such as this one, beyond adopting resolutions and declarations, to more concrete action”, said H.E. O-Gon Kwon, President of the Assembly of States Parties. “The Court is indeed moving forward, but it can successfully do so only with the support of this family, the Rome Statute family. The time for action is now. ” Addressing the Assembly for the first time as ICC President, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji called for continued support: “it is right and necessary for States Parties acting alone and collectively to defend the Court at all times. In doing so, they create the space the Court needs to operate with independence.” Noting the incalculable cost of atrocities that cause immense devastation and pain that can last for generations, and that “at $1.7 trillion, the world’s annual military spending is roughly ten thousand times larger than the budget of the ICC”, President Eboe-Osuji also emphasised that “investment in justice, such as is administered in this Court, is an investment in the peaceful and stable future we want for our shared humanity.” ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda provided an overview of the activities of her Office in the past year, from further ‘institutional’ enhancements to preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecutions, highlighting successes and challenges faced.  Notwithstanding these inherent challenges, the Prosecutor reaffirmed her principled and unyielding commitment and that of her Office to advance the independent and impartial mandate of the Office of the Prosecutor under the Rome Statute. “Together with my dedicated staff, we have been consistently focused on our mission: the effective investigation and prosecution of the Rome Statute crimes so as to fight impunity and contribute to the prevention of such crimes, with the hopes of ultimately responding to the suffering of victims and affected communities”, she stated. “We will continue to do so with unshaken resolve, commitment and utmost integrity, undeterred in the face of formidable challenges”, the Prosecutor added.

H.E. Mr Motoo Noguchi, the departing Board Chair of the Trust Fund for Victims, stated: “First, the importance of assistance mandate [of the Fund] remains unchanged even if the reparations mandate has started in full operation. Second, it is important to make the reparations proceedings simple and fast so that the reparations proceedings won’t be a physical and mental burden for victims or unnecessarily raise their expectations.”

H.E. M. Soraya Alvarez Ambassador of Cuba, during her welcome remarks, we can see besides her the Ambassador of Poland, H.E. Mr. Marcin Czepelak and Mr. Anton Lutter. By Anton Lutter. The ambassador of Cuba H.E. Soraya Alvarez, hosted a reception – 19^thnov – at het residence welcoming the Deputy First Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA), Dr. Fernando González Bermúdez. Born in 1946 he studied medicine at the University of Havana and obtaining a PhD in 1975, specializing in embryology. Since July 2004 he was appointed in the above office. Earlier he has held the high position in the field of science: deputy director of the Agricultural Health National Center (1976-1978), director of the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba (1979-1983), director general and founder of the National Center for the Production of Laboratory (CENPALAB) (1982-2004) which belong to the sphere of Biotechnology.

In the last few years, he has focused his work on the environment. He has led the Macroproject for the scientific investigation and technological innovation on the dangers and vulnerabilities of the coastal line in the Program of Management of Climatic Change approved by the Council of Ministers. He has taken part in many international events either as head of delegation or as a member to the Conference of the States Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Next to that Dr. González Bermúdez, was a member of the National Assembly of People’s Power (legislative parliament of Cuba) between 1998 and 2013. Dr. Gonzales Bermudez participated in the general debate of the Fourth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention taking place from November 22 to November 30, 2018 at The Hague, which is the seat of the OPCW. In his statement, the Deputy First Minister reiterated the position of principle of Cuba in favor of general and total disarmament under the strict and effective monitoring of the international community, prohibition and elimination of all mass destruction weapons included. Dr. Fernando González Bermúdez said that the destruction of chemical weapons in all categories has remained one of the main objectives of the Organization and that it should be completed by the Possessor State as soon as possible and in accordance with the Verification Annex.

He also spoke of the promotion of the economic and technological development of the States Parties, particularly of those least developed and called to implement the Article XI of the Convention in a full, effective and non-discriminatory manner. In this point of the intervention, he denounced the unilateral policy of the blockade imposed by the Government of the United States against Cuba, noticing it being a violation of what is established in the abovementioned article of the Convention. Dr. González Bermúdezalso underlined two national documents circulated by Cuba in the framework of the Conference: one about the damages caused by the blockade to the chemical Industry in Cuba during the last five years and another one about the main activities developed by our country in the implementation of the Convention. Being in The Netherlands the Cuban Deputy First Minister took the opportunity in visiting the bilateral working program which included meetings and exchanging views with his Dutch counterparts for the promotion of the main elements of Tarea Vida (Task Life).  

On the picture, H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda, Ambassador of the Philippines. By Elena Ratnikova. On December 1st a panel of discussion relating to “Violence against women” took place in The Hague. The meeting was organized by the Embassy of the Philippines, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Manila. The main topic of the event was: “VAW-free community starts with me”. The Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Jaime Victor B. Ledda greeted the audience, and expressed his personal attitude to the problem of discrimination. He shared the knowledge of international experience helping women to fight for their rights. The Ambassador mentioned also the problem of cyber-bullying. Under the laws of the Philippines, five percent of the budget should be used for projects against violence. The panel discussion had three guest speakers:

• Rea Abada-Chongson – Senior Legal Advisor on Gender, Specialist on Gender and Law. She explained the problems of sexual violence, women’s equality, and gave a brief presentation with the facts about discrimination and crimes against women. The speaker noted that during the process of research, it is necessary to provide the safety and security of people victims of violence or discrimination.

• Maria Patricia Cervantes-Poco – Lecturer, Ateneo School of Law. She presented the most important legal documents that regulate the rights of women in the Philippines.

 

• Marisa Monteiro Borsboom – Lawyer and Member, European Lawyers Bar. She spoke about her own experience of growing up in a religious community in Portugal, where the rights of women and girls were not always respected. “It’s not always possible for a woman to understand clearly the feelings of another woman, it is necessary to have empathy first”, – said Marisa.

The speaker gave advices on what we should do in our daily life. A woman often does not wish to protect herself and to declare her rights. Both the victim and the aggressor should receive psychological support. “If a woman lives in another country then they do not always have friends or the support from their relatives or expat community speaking the same language”, says Mrs Monteiro. Non-European citizens need even more support. It is necessary to organize educational programs and answer the question: What do you expect from another country? Some organizations can be of great help. The non-profit organization AriseNL was designed for English-Dutch speaking female expats in the Netherlands. The discussion was moderated by Neil B. Nucup, Founding President of the UP Diliman Chapter of MOVE, Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere. A question-and-answers took place for the audience finalizing with a lunch provided by the Embassy of the Philippines.  

By Roy Lie Atjam. On Friday 30th November 2018, the Romanian Ambassador H.E. Ms. Brândușa Predescu along with the Romanian Cultural Institute Brussels, hosted a festive reception for international guests, including Ambassadors, Dutch partners and civil society, to fete the Romanian National Day in The Hague. Close to 300 guests attended the celebration, which started with a live rendition of the Dutch and Romanian national anthems. Furthermore, the Alex Simu Quintet made up of: Alex Simu clarinist, poly-instrumentalist George Dumitriu, bassist Mattia Magatelli, drummer and cellist KristijanKrajncan and pianist Franz von Chossy, put on a dazzling extraordinary jazz concert. The quintet played pieces from their album Echoes of Bucharest. The group is on a European tour. To find out what Echoes of Bucharest stands for, you are cordially invited to listen and discover the purpose for which it was written. Ambassador BrândușaPredescu was elated, she welcomes her guests with a very warm speech. People from various walks of life including ambassadors, politicians, government officials, and business community representatives also attended the event. Ambassador Predescu paid homage to those that have fallen during the great war as well as to those that have contributed to the establishment of the Republic of Romania a century ago. Ambassador BrândușaPredescu described the evening as one with emotions. She was particularly pleased with the presence of the Dutch nationals on whom the President of Romania has bestowed distinction of merit. Among them, former Dutch Prime-Minister Mr. Balkenende. The awarding of a medal of distinction to Mr Ben Jager was also part of the festive program. By all means, the Romania centenary celebrations in The Hague has been a blissful experience.

                            On the picture the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Magzhan Ilyassov and spouse Mrs. Akmaral Aydarbekova. Photography by Richard Nicolaas van Vliet. By Roy Lie Atjam. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Magzhsan Ilyassov hosted a concert at Diligentia Theatre on traditional nomad music to celebrate Kazakhstan National Day. After welcoming his guests, Ambassador  Ilyassov, clad in a distinctive Kazakh outfit gave a historical overview of his country.

The concert featured an acclaimed Kazakhstan ensemble “ The Magic of Nomads”. The band plays traditional Kazakh music, including a throat singer, fused with modern jazz arrangements, this produces a peculiar sound. Some of the traditional instruments used by the band were dombra, zhetygen, kobyz.

The concert commenced with a potpourri of Kazakh tunes, followed: BulBulZaman, Yapir-ay, Atatolgau and various other number from their rich repertoire. Interesting to mention that in 2008 The Magic of Nomads recorded their first album entitled, Bulbul Zaman in the UK. A reception and photo exhibition “Undiscovered Kazakhstan” concluded the 2018 celebration of Kazakhstan National Day.