By Tereza Neuwirthova. On Thursday, December 6 2018, The Embassy of Spain in the Netherlands hosted a conference to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the Spanish Constitution that was enacted in 1978. After arrival, the guests were greeted at the Spanish embassy by Her Excellency the ambassador Ms. María Jesús Alonso Jiménez, and were offered a glass of champagne. Among the guests were representatives from various institutions and organisations that cooperate and interact with the Spanish community in the Netherlands, as well as numerous ambassadors representing mainly the countries of Latin America. Her Excellency Ms. Ambassador Ms. María Jesús Alonso Jiménez initiated the event by presenting the guest lecturer, professor Don Francisco Bastida from the University of Oviedo. Mr. Bastida, who specialises in Constitutional Law, held an extraordinary speech about the 1978 constitution, the assets it provided for Spain, and the challenges that Spain faces in the present times. The adoption of the constitution in 1978 marked the end to a period of economic instability by ending the transition of Spain from a dictatorship regime to a democracy. The constitution established the country of Spain upon the main values of a social and democratic state such as liberty, justice, equality and political pluralism. Moreover, it set up parliamentary monarchy as the political form of the state. Among the principles coined in the constitution were also decentralisation of the territory, the rule of law, representative democracy, and the guarantee of freedoms of speech and expression. Thanks to the constitution of 1978, the modern Spain is an advanced European country that is integrated and fully committed in the European Union. It’s prosperity, great political stability, and democracy with political plurality make Spain an important and influential player in world politics. Professor Mr. Bastida concluded his speech by mentioning the independence of the regions of Catalonia and Basque Country, and low but present levels of political corruption as the ongoing threats for the welfare of Spain that it has enjoyed since the ratification of the constitution in 1978. Thereafter, Her Excellency Ambassador Alonso, started a fruitful discussion on the main topics of the evening. During the fervent debate, subjects such as the possibility of reforms and amendments to Spanish constitution of 1978, and the current issues and challenges that Spain has to deal with were taken up. Many of the guests contributed by expressing their opinions and remarks, or asking Prof. Bastida various intellectual questions. Once the discussion was finished by  Ambassador Alonso’s last remarks, the guests were greeted to an adjacent room of the embassy where traditional Spanish delicacies were served. The guests enthusiastically continued in the discussions as they were enjoying traditional sweet and savoury specialties as well as excellent Spanish wines and other drinks. Great company together with relaxed atmosphere of this event marked yet another pleasurable evening at the Spanish embassy.         video: https://www.constitucion40.com

Left to right:  ICC Registrar Peter Lewis, Cabo Verde First Lady H.E. Lígia Dias Fonseca, Cabo Verde President H.E. Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca, ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda ©ICC-CPI. On 11 December 2018, H.E. Mr. Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) to meet with the President of the Court, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, the Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, and the Registrar Peter Lewis. The President was decorated with the title of ‘Distinguished Honorary Fellow of the International Criminal Court’. ICC President Eboe-Osuji stated: “At the UN General Assembly of 2017, the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde said that support for the ICC is an obligation that the present generation owes to future ones. As the Head of State of Cabo Verde, His Excellency Dr. Fonseca is the very personification of that policy. He is a jurist in his own right and a poet. But most of all, he is a statesman of exemplary credentials on rule of law. He is a very staunch supporter of the ICC and we are greatly honoured that he found time to visit the Court.”

H.E. President Fonseca reaffirmed his support for the ICC and stated: “I express the commitment of my country, of the Cabo-Verdeans, with the values and the principles supporting the creation of the ICC. We are with the ICC because we are convinced of the relevant values of the struggle against serious crimes.” President Fonseca added that “Cabo Verde as a democracy and a State based on the rule of law is always with justice, respect of international law, democracy and liberties.” The President of the Republic of Cabo Verde was accompanied by the First Lady, H.E. Ms. Lígia Dias Fonseca, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities and Minister of Defense H.E. Mr. Luís Filipe Tavares, and the Minister of Interior H.E. Mr. Paulo Rocha. The visit of President Fonseca to the ICC highlights Cabo Verde’s support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole. Cabo Verde signed the Rome Statute on 28 December 2000 and ratified it on 10 October 2011.

Arusha, La Haye, le 11 decembre 2018 – Le Juge Theodor Meron, Président du Mécanisme international appelé à exercer les fonctions résiduelles des Tribunaux pénaux (le « Mécanisme ») a, dans le dernier rapport qu’il a présenté aujourd’hui devant le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU (le « Conseil de sécurité ») en tant que Président du Mécanisme, souligné les avancées les plus notables dans les travaux du Mécanisme. Dans son allocution, le Président Meron a évoqué les défis budgétaires et opérationnels rencontrés par le Mécanisme au cours des six derniers mois, soulignant que, malgré ces défis, d’importants progrès avaient été réalisés dans l’achèvement du mandat du Mécanisme. Mettant en avant les efforts continus déployés par le Mécanisme pour veiller à ce que les fonctions résiduelles-clés soient exercées avec un professionnalisme à toute épreuve, le Président Meron a rendu un hommage tout particulier à Olufemi Elias, Greffier, pour « sa direction avisée, son intégrité absolue et l’excellente façon dont il a conduit notre institution pendant cette période difficile ». Parlant de caps importants, le Président Meron a mis en avant l’adoption récente du Règlement sur la détention, régissant les questions liées à la détention tant à Arusha qu’à La Haye, ainsi que l’adoption de modifications du Règlement de procédure et de preuve, autant de mesures illustrant « l’attention soutenue avec laquelle le Mécanisme s’emploie à trouver des moyens d’améliorer ses méthodes et ses travaux et à servir de modèle aux tribunaux dans d’autres juridictions ». Le Président a également informé le Conseil de sécurité de l’achèvement sans heurts et du bon déroulement de la première audience judiciaire qui s’est tenue en septembre dans la toute nouvelle salle d’audience conçue spécialement pour la division d’Arusha, dans l’affaire d’outrage concernant Maximilien Turinabo et consorts ; et il a remercié le Gouvernement du Rwanda pour sa précieuse coopération dans l’arrestation et le transfèrement des accusés dans cette affaire. Le Président Meron a en outre informé le Conseil de sécurité des mesures importantes qui avaient été prises pour assurer une transition sans heurts au nouveau Président du Mécanisme, le Juge Carmel Agius, en janvier. En réfléchissant à ses fonctions de Président du Mécanisme pendant près de sept années, le Président a mis en évidence certaines des réalisations les plus remarquables, tout en remerciant en particulier Mme Gabrielle McIntyre, Chef de Cabinet et Conseiller juridique principal du Mécanisme, et tous les fonctionnaires pour leur dévouement pour faire du Mécanisme « un modèle de ce que peut et doit être une institution judiciaire pénale internationale ». Le Président Meron a ensuite évoqué certains de ses regrets, précisant qu’il déplorait profondément qu’une autre solution, plus adéquate, n’ait été trouvée pour résoudre la situation du Juge Aydin Sefa Akay. Le Président a fait observer à cet égard que : « [à] l’heure où le monde est le témoin d’une évolution très inquiétante, comme des atteintes à l’indépendance de la justice et l’affaiblissement de l’état de droit, nous, à l’Organisation des Nations Unies, ne pouvons tout simplement pas nous permettre de n’être rien de moins qu’exemplaires dans la façon dont nous répondons nous-mêmes aux atteintes à l’indépendance de la justice et aux agissements qui violent les immunités conférées par l’ONU ». En dépit de ses regrets, le Président Meron a déclaré qu’il était extrêmement fier de ce que le Mécanisme avait réalisé ces sept dernières années, faisant remarquer que c’est au cours de son mandat de président que le Règlement de procédure et de preuve avait été adopté, que les juges avaient prêté serment et que les deux divisions avaient ouvert leurs portes pour la première fois. Les juges ont adopté un code inédit de déontologie et procédé à la modification de ce code pour établir un processus disciplinaire, ce qui « montre bien l’importance que nous accordons à l’établissement des responsabilités dans tous les aspects d[u] travail [des juges]». Au cours de son mandat du Président, la responsabilité des activités judiciaires et des fonctions résiduelles non judiciaires a été transférée du TPIR et du TPIY et a été assumée sans heurts par le Mécanisme et « dans le respect des normes les plus strictes », et le Mécanisme a pris les mesures nécessaires pour fonctionner de manière autonome. Le Président Meron a fait remarquer que, en effet, le Mécanisme « a[vait] montré que le nouveau modèle par lequel les juges travaillent à distance p[ouvai]t fonctionner de manière efficace et économique — en pleine conformité avec les exigences d’une bonne administration de la justice ». Le Président a en outre rappelé que le Mécanisme a construit de nouveaux locaux minimalistes à Arusha, grâce à la générosité exceptionnelle du Gouvernement de la République-Unie de Tanzanie, et qu’il a instauré d’importantes traditions dans ces nouveaux locaux, en accueillant un colloque judiciaire pour les juges nationaux, régionaux et internationaux et des visites d’un large éventail de responsables désireux de tirer des enseignements des pratiques du Mécanisme, ainsi qu’en constituant et en rendant accessible l’une des principales bibliothèques de droit de la région. Le Président Meron a également rappelé les réalisations importantes de la division de La Haye, notamment la création d’un nouveau centre d’information sur le TPIY à Sarajevo et les signes encourageants donnés par la République de Croatie et la République de Serbie concernant la création de centres d’information sur leur territoire. Le Président a fait observer que, pendant ce temps, ses collègues et lui-même avaient « placé au cœur des priorités la mise en place d’une institution exemplaire des Nations Unies ». Le Président Meron a rappelé que le personnel remarquable du Mécanisme, provenant de quelque 70 pays, avait dépassé à maintes reprises les objectifs du Secrétaire général en matière de parité des sexes. Il a loué le personnel du Mécanisme et déclaré que, grâce à « leur professionnalisme et à leur ingéniosité, à leur imagination et à leur résilience, ces fonctionnaires [avaie]nt joué un rôle inestimable pour faire du Mécanisme ce qu’il est aujourd’hui ». Pour conclure, le Président a rappelé que les Nations Unies avaient été créées en réponse aux horreurs de l’Holocauste et à la nécessité mondiale qui s’en est suivie de « réaffirmer l[a] foi dans les droits fondamentaux de l’homme, dans la dignité humaine et dans la valeur de la justice et de l’état de droit ». Il a ajouté que les tribunaux ad hoc et le Mécanisme, qui en est le prolongement, continuent de symboliser ces valeurs fondamentales. ——— Photo par ICTY

                            The Palestinian Head of Mission, H.E. Ms.  Rawan Sulaiman with Ms. Anissa Rabbani, a Palestinian lady in national dress. By Sofie Victoria T. Hagen. On Thursday the 29^th of November, diplomats, ambassadors, as well as members of the Palestinian people and their allies, gathered in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Hague for a ceremony hosted by The Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands. The occasion was the UN International day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and it is clear that the importance of this occasion was not lost on the attendees.

The event started off with an introduction to Palestinian culture, namely Palestinian music, by “The Trio Nur”, to the delight of the guests. “The Trio Nur”, first performed independently, and then were joined by two Dutch musicians on the violin and contrabass. Subsequently, the Palestinian Head of Mission, H.E. Ms.  Rawan Sulaiman, held a moving speech conveyed both in English, as well as her native tongue, Palestinian Arabic. In her speech, Ambassador Sulaiman emphasized her appreciation for the growing support she has seen from the Dutch people throughout her two years as Ambassador in The Netherlands. Additionally, she shed light on the harsh reality of the current situation the Palestinian people face, saying “The UN designated this special day as a constant reminder that the Palestine question remains unresolved, and that the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination, are yet to be attained”. Furthermore, she underlined the importance of marking this day, as it “serves as recognition that Palestinians are not alone, and have not been forgotten”. Moreover, the Ambassador’s words in context with the location of the evening’s event was not lost on the attendees. The Ambassador quoted President Mahmoud Abbas, saying “We await the day when we may together celebrate the freedom of our people in the independent state of Palestine”, as well as, in the words of the poet Mahmoud Darwish, “To be Palestinian is to be inflicted with incurable hope.”

The event ended with the guest’s admiration of the paintings the church had been decorated with prior to the event, all carefully executed by the Palestinian artists Maha Abu Shibab, Tarek AlAssad, and Nabeel Shoublak, who all have found themselves in refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria. Traditional Palestinian food was also served, provided by Darwish food, and was enjoyed by all attendees. The artworks and food both reminded the guests of the Ambassador’s words: “Culture is a very powerful tool, through which we can spread awareness, and come together as peoples of the world, in support of freedom, justice, and peace. Through culture and music, we build bridges, dialogue, and tolerance.”      

By Roy Lie Atjam. The Hague, Friday 7 December 2018, the Kenyan Ambassador in the Netherlands H.E. Mr. Lawrence Lenayapa. CBS, hosted a festive reception for international guests, Head of Missions, Dutch partners, civil society and Kenyan nationals, at the Hotel Crowne Plaza to celebrate Jamhuri Day 2018 in advance. Not even the rain could stop the 250 or so guests from attended the mid-day reception which included Kenyan dishes, music and live performances of the Kenyan- and Dutch national anthems rendered by Kenyan singer and entertainer Ms. Wendy Kimani.

An extract of Ambassador LENAYAPA’s Jamhuri Day remarks is hereto attached. “I am pleased to welcome you all to Kenya’s 55^th National Day celebrations, “Jamhuri Day”, which is celebrated on 12^th December of every year. This is a day of great significance to Kenyans because as we gained our Independence, there was promised hope and aspiration for the country; that we shall take our rightful place in the community of States and contribute to the development of mankind. Being my first National day celebrations in the Netherlands, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the Dutch Government authorities, the diplomatic corps as well as the International Organisations and the entire business fraternity for the warm welcome accorded to me and my family since our arrival in August.

As we reflect as a Nation on this important occasion, we appreciate the fast-changing global environment that may be defined by increased uncertainty and lack of adherence to the norms that have driven international relations. Conscious of the need for Nations to step up and take up leadership at a global stage, Kenya has not shied away from this task at the regional, continental and even global stage. Kenya has been called upon to provide, not just thought leadership, but demonstrative influence across many issues including peace, security and governance, environmental sustainability and the blue economy, technology and innovation.

Last month, Kenya hosted the high level Global Blue Economy Conference. The very important Conference afforded the opportunity to conduct advanced discussions on the two important pillars of the Blue Economy. These are: sustainability, climate change and controlling pollution on the one hand; and production, accelerated economic growth, jobs and poverty alleviation on the other. The deliberations from this important meeting concluded on the possibility of States being able to deliver real solutions and better results for people and the planet towards building an ocean economy.

  My presence in the Netherlands comes at an exciting time particularly for our relations which continue to get stronger both at the multilateral and bilateral levels. At the bilateral level, the relations which date back to 1964 is particularly evident from the business actually taking place between the two countries. Kenya seeks to further maximise on the opportunities available through the Aid-to-Trade policy of the Netherlands by actively seeking out Dutch investors for direct investments or to work through public private partnerships (PPP). Opportunities for investment abound particularly on the Government’s Big Four Agenda, namely Food security, Universal Healthcare, decent Housing and Manufacturing. These agenda speak to the human security, that is, ensuring that we do not leave any of our people, especially the vulnerable and weak behind.   It also seeks to guarantee the freedom from indignity and vulnerability caused by the lack of the basic needs and services: food, shelter, good health, jobs and empowerment. As such there are various projects available for implementation towards this cause. As Kenya remains open for business, investors can take advantage of the country’s fully liberalised economy. The country ranked 61 on the 2017/18 World Bank ease of doing business index, which was up 19 places from 2016/17. This can be attributed largely to the focus on the growth and increased competitiveness of domestic companies, and the attraction of local and foreign investors to invest capital and expertise into the economy. It is worth noting too that the realisation of our aspirations for growth is tied to stability within Kenya and our region. This is the reason why Kenya remains focused on the pursuit of peace and security in our region, particularly through multilateral fora. As part of this engagement, Kenya is seeking a seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2021-2022 at the elections to be held during the 74^th Session of United Nations General Assembly, in New York, in 2020. Kenya has twice served as a Non-Permanent member of the UNSC in 1973-1974 and 1997–1998. Before I conclude, I take the opportunity to welcome each of you in this room to consider Kenya as your next tourism destination. Kenya is a melting pot with an endless array of activities with a variety of holidays available, including: beach, Wildlife Safari, Culture, Landscapes, Adventure, Sports, Heritage and many others. Most of all however, you will experience the warm and friendly Kenyan people. I would like to thank our partners who have gone a long way in ensuring this event is a success, including Starbucks, who are here to let you taste some Kenyan coffee; Decofresh, Sian Roses and United Selections who have provided the fresh cut Kenyan Roses, (please ensure you leave with a bouquet); and Ms. Anne Parkimain, who has prepared the Kenyan cuisine that we will shortly invite you to enjoy. I would also like to thank all members of my staff at the Embassy, who have given me the best support since my arrival . I value the warmth, alliance and hard work displayed by everyone. With these few remarks, I would like to convey my best wishes to you all during this festive season and a prosperous New Year! I thank you all for your kind attention and I invite you to a toast. ———————— Photography is a courtesy of the Embassy of Kenya.     https://photos.app.goo.gl/wasMkAVGgc3R1L8J9                            

Blockade, Bangladesh documentary. Among the audience H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh. 26 November 2018, The Hague: Only a week before the month of Victory, Embassy of Bangladesh in the Hague organized screening of a liberation war documentary on 25 November 2018. A full house attended the screening of ‘Blockade’ based on true story. ‘Blockade’ documentary is the story of nonviolent protest to stop the shipment of arms from the US to Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Blockade tells the story of how a group of American and Bengali activists protested against the U.S. government’s military and economic support for Pakistan during the war by staging a non-violent blockade of Pakistani ships in East Coast ports. Drawing upon rare archival images of the protests and direct interviews with key activists, Blockade offers a powerful reminder of the lengths that ordinary people around the world went to in order to stop the genocide in Bangladesh. Encouraged by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic 7^th March speech, when people of Bangladesh orchestrated their protests, the Western media gradually came to know of the horror unleash by the Pakistani forces. Bangladeshi IT expert, based in New Jersey, Mr. Arif Yousuf directed and produced the documentary. This documentary is the winner of 2017 The World’s Independent Film Festival (TWIFF) award, San Francisco, California in the category of documentary. The film follows the story of the Philadelphia resident peace activists Richard K. Taylor, Phyllis Taylor, Sally Willoughby; UPenn Professors Dr. Klaus Krippendorff, Dr. Charles Khan and Bengali expatriates then living in Philadelphia area Dr. Sultana Alam, Dr. Monayem Chowdhury, Mozharul Hoque et al. Their non-violent activism eventually forced some of those ships to return empty. Amidst the denial of the US government, they come up with an idea to create public/media awareness by a symbolic blockade with canoes and dinghies in front of the oceangoing ships that were being used for supplying arms to Pakistan. The groups successfully organize non-violent protests and generate a huge national media interest on the matter. The activists then go on to influence other groups and make a substantial impact on public opinion in US and overseas. Through interviews, archival TV footage and photographs, the film weaves in historical accounts of the genocide in Bangladesh, the misguided US foreign policy towards Pakistan at that time, and the common man’s protest against injustice.

After screening the documentary of 85 minutes, director Mr. Arif Yousuf was connected with the audience via Skype, he shared his experiences of making the documentary and mentioned that it took more than 8 years to make this documentary film. He is also interested in making few more documentary films not only on incidents of liberation war but also on ongoing development spree of Bangladesh. The enthusiastic audience inquired about further details of the film and expressed their interest to make arrangement of screening this documentary in other pertinent gatherings and if required they would support in making of such documentary films. The local journalists stated that they would promote the documentary film ‘Blockade’ in their channel and facilitate in taking part in relevant film festivals. H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal congratulated the director for his successful making of the documentary and thanked him for sharing his film with the Embassy for screening. On the eve of the month of victory, Ambassador Belal paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Martyrs and Freedom Fighters of 1971. Referring to how Bangladesh Prime Minister,  know as ‘Mother of Humanity’, recalled Bangladesh people own sufferings during Pakistan preoccupation, when Bangladesh  opened the door for displaced people of Myanmar i.e. over a million Rohingya in Bangladesh. He urged Bangladesh nationals to come forward from their respective position to promote Bangladesh’s achievement to the international community. The audience expressed their satisfaction for organizing the screening of documentary film which surely enhanced their knowledge about Bangladesh liberation war. ————— Photography by the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague.

Major General John Wood (US Air Force), Air Commodore Jez Attridge (UK RAF) and Major General Luc de Rancourt (French Air Force). By Guido Lanfranchi At the end of October, the Air Forces of the United States, United Kingdom, and France conducted the Trilateral Air Force Exercise “Point Blank” in the United Kingdom. The exercise, the first of its kind with France on board, focused on interoperability among different assets and high state of readiness. About 50 aircraft involved, including the F-35B from the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the French Air Force’s Rafale, and the US Air Force’s F-15, and two key words: interoperability and readiness. This was the Trilateral Air Force Exercise in a nutshell, as described by Major General John Wood (US Air Force), Air Commodore Jez Attridge (UK RAF) and Major General Luc de Rancourt (French Air Force), during a press conference on the eve of the exercise. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France have been historic allies, including in the military domain, and “the links between our three Air Forces are very tight” – Maj. Gen. de Rancourt said. While bilateral exercises are not anything new within the framework of NATO, the 2018 edition of Point Blank featured for the first time the presence of the French – Maj. Gen. Wood noted with satisfaction – as well as the integration of 5^th generation platforms.

The exercise allowed to test the integration of 4^th generation and 5^th generation platforms, bringing forward the work started in previous exercises. As Air Comm. Attridge put it, the two platforms should complement each other, leveraging their respective strengths to support each other’s capabilities. The overall focuses of the exercise – Maj Gen. Wood outlined – were air interdiction, offensive counter-air, personnel recovery and dissimilar air combat maneuvering. In a quickly changing world, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France continue to strengthen their cooperation in the military domain, with two major aims: being able to work together, and to do it fast. Visual material at: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PointBlank        

By Roy Lie Atjam. The Hague, Marriott Hotel 23 November 2018- Mrs. Joy Uwanziga who lives and works in The Hague as an expatriate (you might know her as the Consular Affairs Assistant of the Embassy of Rwanda) has launched her second book entitled ‘The Incredible Ways Of Parenting You Always Wanted To Know’. Her well-received first book, “Manners In Rwanda “ is about basic Knowledge of Rwandan Culture, Customs, and Kinyarwanda Language. The book has been among the first 100 bestsellers on Amazon (Africa Department) since 2015, three months after its publication till now.

In fact, the incredible ways of parenting is a self-help guide/handbook to parents, guardians and readers of the world. The book is a product of her extensive research and her personal experience as a mother. T he book allows readers to learn from the experts and to equip themselves with the scenarios that can be harrowing for new parents or to the ones who need further learning support. Guest of honour at the book launching was Professor Jan Pronk.

Prof. Pronk addressed the gathering. So did book reviewer Ms. Johanne Bade, Susan Chaffin and book reviewer Ms. Michelle Oliel. The animated evening was in the capable hands of MC Mr. Richard Hilly. There was live music by pianist Hans Steijger and dance performances.

A group of Ambassadors graced the event by their presence. Furthermore, the Rwandan diaspora was well represented as were many friends of Joy Uwanziga as well as friends of Rwanda. MC Richard Hilly ‘s closing remark was followed by music, food, drinks and Networking.

Purchase your copy at, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-incredible-ways-of-parenting-joy-nzamwita-uwanziga/1129481819?ean=9780999591574