President’s Statement on the Occasion of the Day of International Criminal JusticeArusha, The Hague, 17 July 2018– Today, Judge Theodor Meron, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, issued the following statement to mark the Day of International Criminal Justice:
“The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda were true pioneers. The first international criminal courts of the modern era, the creation of these Tribunals in the early 1990s reflected the emergence of a new commitment by the international community to ending impunity for serious violations of international law. But while the Tribunals were undeniably ground breaking institutions in their own right, the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998 reflected an even more profound paradigm shift. Not only did the Rome Statute lead to the establishment of the world’s first permanent international criminal court; it also made clear that the quest for justice and accountability for serious violations of international law is not, and should not be, confined to one city or one court alone. Indeed, the framework set forth in the Rome Statute envisages that justice and accountability for the worst crimes imaginable can and should be sought not just in The Hague but in countries and courtrooms around the world. It recognizes that ending impunity is a universal imperative and that national engagement is of paramount importance if that goal is to be realized. And it reaffirms, at base, that it is through cooperation and complementarity that the principles of our common humanity can and shall be upheld. It was a great privilege for me to take part in the negotiations in Rome twenty years ago, and it has been an even greater pleasure to see all that has been achieved in the course of the last two decades. To be sure, the Rome system faces challenges and there is always—as is true with any major institution or complex, multifaceted organization still in the relatively early stages of its development—room for improvement. But we cannot allow perceived imperfections in the Rome system or in international criminal justice more generally to detract from our appreciation of what has already been achieved. And we cannot permit cynicism or scepticism to cause us to lose sight of the sense of purpose that animated the Rome Statute’s adoption and that is no less true today as we mark the twentieth anniversary of that momentous occasion. Today, we do not celebrate a single court or even a singular international convention. Today, we reaffirm our shared determination to put an end to unimaginable violence committed in contravention of international law, and we reassert our intention to seek—through application of the law and of the highest legal principles that form our common heritage—a more just, more secure, and more peaceful world. That is the global compact that we celebrate today as we mark the Day of International Criminal Justice.”
On the picture The Honorable Ms. Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam.
Thursday, 12 July 2018, Amsterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands: New mayor Femke Halsema was sworn in at a ceremony at the Council Chamber in Amsterdam City Hall.
Mayor Halsema succeeded thus Eberhard van der Laan, who served as mayor of Amsterdam from 2010 until his demise in October 2017. Mayor Halsema has held several positions in public administration and was a chairperson in the Dutch House of Representatives and political leader of GroenLinks (the Dutch Green party). She is the first woman to hold the mayoral office.
For further information:
The International Organisation for Migration will host in October the conference Diaspora in Action Migration and Development. The conference will explore best practices, challenges, opportunities, impact of diaspora interventions, the way forward, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship.
The Ambassador of Burundi, H.E. Ms. Vestine Nahimana with burundais and friends of Burundi.By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, 14 July 2018, H.E. Ms. Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi in the Netherlands delivered a discourse on the occasion of her country’56th Independence Day.
This is what Her Excellency had to say in French:
Tugire Amahoro N’intahe Yo Kwikukira.Nous sommes ici rassemblés pour célébrer le 56ème anniversaire de l’Indépendance de notre chère Patrie. Le thème retenu pour cette année est : « Renforçons l’Indépendance acquise du Burundi par l’unité et le travail, source du développement ».Au nom du Gouvernement du Burundi et en mon nom propre, j’ai un réel plaisir de vous accueillir dans cette salle et je vous souhaite une bonne fête d’indépendance. Comme souligné par S.E Pierre Nkurunziza, Président de la République du Burundi, uwukómōreweahimbarwakurushauwugabanye. Voilà la raison de cette fête que nous célébrons chaque année.La lutte pour l’Indépendance a vu la perte de plusieurs vies de nos vaillants Héros. Le prince Louis Rwagasore, Pierre Ngendandumwe et leur compagnons de lutte ont payé le sacrifice ultime pour que aujourd’hui, moi, vous et tous les Burundais soient libres et indépendants. Restaurant ainsi la dignité bafouée des Burundais et inscrivant notre chère Patrie dans le concert des Nations.Cependant, l’Indépendance n’a pas été appréciée par tout le monde. De la politique coloniale de diviser pour régner, est née une animosité entre burundais. Des conflits ethniques éclateront surtout dans les années 61, 65, 72, 88, 93 et même après, emportant encore des vies innocentes. Il est plus que nécessaire donc que tout Burundais se sente investi de la mission de veiller à garder cet Indépendance chèrement acquise.Depuis 1962, le Burundi a connu des avancées malgré les défis qui se présentaient devant lui. Les Burundais ont élus leurs dirigeants, toutes les Institutions fonctionnent normalement. Cette célébration intervient, alors que nous venons d’adopter notre Constitution grâce aux efforts de la population et sans l’aide de l’Occident parmi lesquels nos anciens colonisateurs. C’est donc tout un symbole car nous sommes petit à petit en train de nous affranchir de la tutelle et cela cadre bien avec le thème de cette année.La politique du Gouvernement du Burundi centrée sur l’Unité et le Travail nous interpelle tous. Nous avons vu que sans l’unité, notre pays est tombé à mainte reprises dans les affres de la division ethnique et dans la guerre. Notre pays a été meurtri mais grâce à Dieu nous nous sommes relevés. Nous avons vu également que sans unité, le travail ne peut aboutir à des résultats tangibles. Nous vous invitons donc à toujours prêcher cette unité qui permet le travail, source de développement durable.La diaspora est un acteur important dans le développement d’un pays, mais force est de constater que certains d’entre nous avons malheureusement oublié d’où nous venons. Nous vous exhortons à avoir l’amour de la patrie qui vous a vu naître. Travaillons dans l’unité pour qu’ensemble nous puissions développer notre chère Patrie. Souvenons-nous de cet adage kirundi qui dit que « Iwabow’umuntunihoheza » et que « Amaherezo y’inzira ni mu nzu ». J’exhorte donc tous les membres de la diaspora ici présents, à travailler d’arrache-pied pour l’unité entre tous les Burundais vivants au royaume des Pays-Bas. Je vous encourage à apporter votre pierre angulaire pour l’édification de cette nation qui vous a vus naitre. Ainsi, nous auront renforcé notre Indépendance par l’Unité et le Travail qui sont source de Développement durable. C’est dans cette perspective que je fais appel aux amis du Burundi qui se sont joints à nous pour célébrer notre Indépendance, de jouer leur rôle de partenaire fidèle afin de nous accompagner dans notre détermination de renforcer notre Indépendance sur tous les plans. Je profite de cette occasion pour saluer leur présence ici et exprimer mes sincères remerciements. Qu’ils se sentent parmi les leurs.Avant de terminer, permettez-moi d’adresser mes vifs remerciements à l’endroit de l’équipe de la diaspora qui a organisé cette belle journée riche en couleurs. Qu’ils trouvent dans la réussite de cette fête, les honneurs d’avoir servi la Patrie et toute la communauté burundaise des Pays-Bas. Je remercie également le Gouvernement du Burundi qui ne cesse de nous interpeler à penser au pays et l’honorer autant que possible. Je vous souhaite à tous une belle fête de l’Indépendance et encore une fois, ensemble, « Renforçons l’Indépendance acquise du Burundi par l’Unité et le Travail, source du Développement »
H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi , Ambassador of Iraq in the Netherlands welcoming the participants.By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the Netherlands along with the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC/TPB) has organized a two days international conference/workshop for Iraqi Judges on the accountability of ISIL/ Dae’sh crimes in Iraq.
The venue was the Embassy of Iraq in The Hague on 11-12 July 2018. The workshop brought together a delegation of senior Iraqi judges, the Chief Justice(CJ) dealing with terrorist cases involving ISIL / Dae’sh in Iraq as well as experts from the international criminal tribunals in The Hague. Senior United Nations representatives also made their contributions.
The objective of the workshop was for the Iraqi delegation to learn from the International tribunals and experts how to collect evidence, to prosecute, and cooperate internationally.
The conference opened with Keynote speakers:
The first was Mr. Jan Kubis followed by Mr. Mauro Miedico, he thanked Japan for their support;
Ms. Christina Albertin, she stressed the misuse of the internet and changing methods of attack; Mr. Muhammad Rafluddin Shah, mentioned the recent anti-terrorism week and opportunities offered at this conference to exchange information.
Among the attendees we can see besides Ambassador Al-Alawi, the Ambassador of Tunisia H.E. Elyes Ghariani.
All speakers are high-level UN representatives. The last to deliver his keynote speech was H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi , Ambassador of Iraq in the Netherlands. He invited the audience to join him in observing a one minute silence to commemorate all who have lost their lives and their loved ones.
The Ambassador went on to observe, contrary to what a major US newspaper once wrote, the war was not the end of the state of Iraq.
Iraqi towns and cities were liberated in a short space of time. The Ambassador further pointed out that terrorism is a global scourge, it affects all.
In the Iraqi context reconstruction is an important factor, the same goes for the implementation of a new juridical system.
The Embassy of Iraqi is proud to host the two days conference. The world has to be informed. The youth should later not accuse us of sitting idly by and not having done enough.
Iraq’ Chief Justice (CJ) Mr. Faeq Zeldan recounts, Mossul was a famous hub for terrorist. He elaborated on the modus operandi in bringing perpetrators to justice. More than 13,000 terrorists have been brought to justice so far. The CJ laments the loss of about 68 judges due to the effects of war.
According to Dr Karim A. Khan QC, politics are at the center and edges of the international law. Courts should see to it that victims don’t lose confidence in them. Khan referred to the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone as an example in this regard.
Ms. Catherine Marchi-Uhel, Head of the Intern. Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM) Yes, we have no UN mandate, however, we share our expertise and methodology.
Mr. Gregory Townsend, predicts the court might take a generation or so. He argues, the Q&A interrogation format is maybe not an appropriate tool. One only gets answers to the questions posed.
International Conference for Iraqi Judges in The Hague.
A narrative approach might be preferred. Making use of experts he said is a long process. Townsend cited a recent successful example in Guatemala. Townsend continued making use of computer evidence is a challenge; compatibility of systems is often a problem.
Mr. Xavier Laroche, Forensic Investigator, office of the prosecutor ICC gave a dazzling one hour expose on collecting data. He made use of videos and short films.
Mr. Nigel Verrill on witness protection. Witness Protection, in Iraq cases, is domestically structured. Witness protection is an American invention, formally established in 1984. Relocation is a challenge.
International relocation of protected witnesses is a science in itself. It requires the sending country to supply a psychological report of the individual. Reciprocity is common in international relocation of protected witnesses.
Ms. Gabriela Gonzalez Rivas, victim’s expectations should be kept at a realistic level.
Mr. Mikel Delagrange. His focus was on reparation, compensation, rehabilitation. What happens in the event of no conviction? Victims’ satisfaction is as important as a conviction. Public funds should be made available for compensation.
Mr. Jan Kubis.Mr. David Kennedy, detainee’s health should not be overlooked.
Mr. Paddy Craig, there should be a culture of treating detainees with respect. Be aware of the fact that among the detainees there are former presidents, vice president and other former high ranking officials. Often these are persons with a certain charisma, charm, they clever in manipulating others.
Respect the right of detainees irrespective of their race, creed or political background.
Justice to all, Justice delayed is Justice denied.
There were also other speakers who furnished the Iraqi delegation with valuable information.
Mr. ZouhairRacheha gave a summary of the two day conference.
The Rt. Hon. Judge Raed Hamid Muslehof Niniveh closed the conference. Judge Raed expressed his gratitude vice a vice the technical and scientific experts. A special word of thanks went to the Ambassador of Iraq, as well as to Japan, the Netherlands and many others.
The Iraqi delegation will be leaving the Netherlands with ample information that may come handy in the near future.
Ambassadors and Diplomats of Canada, Lebanon, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, UK, graced the conference with their presence.
OPCW Director-General Meets with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security in Brussels
THE HAGUE, Netherlands— 10 July 2018 —The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, met yesterday with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security, H.E. Ms Federica Mogherini in Brussels, Belgium.
The Director-General briefed the High Representative on OPCW’s activities in Syria, efforts to address chemical terrorism and implementation of OPCW projects made possible by the support of the European Union (EU). He thanked her for the EU’s substantial financial contributions to the core activities of the OPCW and its operations in Syria. High Representative Mogherini expressed appreciation for Ambassador Üzümcü’s 8-year leadership at the helm of the Organisation. She also underlined the EU’s continuous support of the effective implementation and universalisation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The Director-General and the High Representative both agreed that the CWC regime has been seriously threatened since 2012 by the repeated use of chemical weapons in Syria, Iraq, Malaysia and the UK. High Representative Mogherini reiterated the support of the EU to the decision of the Special Conference of CWC States Parties, adopted on 27 June, as a crucial step towards preserving and upholding the global norm against the use of chemical weapons. She confirmed that the EU stands ready to support the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW and to cooperate with all States Parties to the CWC, with a view to the implementation of this decision.
Ambassador Üzümcü expressed his deep appreciation for the EU’s on-going support for the works of the Technical Secretariat and the goals of the Convention.
OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzücmü, meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine, H.E. Dr. Riad Al-Maliki, at OPCW Headquarters.
State of Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Visits OPCW
THE HAGUE, Netherlands— 16 July 2018 —The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzücmü, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine, H.E. Dr Riad Al-Maliki, during a visit today to OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General and Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed OPCW’s progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), with a special focus on the activities related to international cooperation, national implementation as well as assistance and protection.
With the recent accession of the State of Palestine to the CWC, the Director-General expressed his hope for the full and timely domestic implementation of the provisions of the Convention.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Riad Al-Maliki, remarked that “A world free from weapons of mass destruction is not an ideal, it is a necessity. Such weapons are incompatible with international law, notably international humanitarian law, given their indiscriminate and cruel nature, and their long term impact on populations. The State of Palestine is determined to contribute to securing such a world, jointly through the OPWC”.
On 3 July, a joint action day in France, Bulgaria and Germany resulted in searches of more than 20 locations and the arrest of 10 pimps.The pimps had been operating since 2015, promising young Bulgarian women legal employment in France. The women were transported first to Germany and then to Strasbourg and Annecy, where they were forced into prostitution. The women were compelled to give their earnings to the pimps, who kept the women under close watch.Eurojust held two coordination meetings, which led to the signing of a joint investigation team (JIT) agreement between France and Bulgaria. Eurojust also provided funding for the JIT.The joint action day was carried out by authorities from JIRS Nancy, the Bulgarian Prosecutor General and the Prosecutor’s Office of Oryahovo. The pimps were arrested in France, Bulgaria and Germany, charged with pimping, trafficking in human beings, organised crime and money laundering.At the time of the arrests, several prostitutes were put in contact with support groups and organisations to help them return safely to their country.
The world-renowned general Julius Caesar may have been rather less heroic than we imagine, in terms of victories as well as physique. Caesar was largely bald and had a deformed skull, resulting from difficulties during his birth.
As for military campaigns, he suffered his greatest defeat in the Low Countries, possibly near the Dutch city of Maastricht, according to new research suggesting that he fought a substantial proportion of the Gallic Wars in the northern part of Gaul. These findings emerged from the research conducted by the archaeologist and author Tom Buijtendorp on Caesar’s activities in the Low Countries, in response to the mounting pile of clues for his presence here.
Buijtendorp’s research was recently published in the book Caesar in de Lage Landen (Caesar in the Low Countries). His findings about Caesar’s countenance in combination with one of the oldest portraits of Caesar from the collection of the Dutch national museum of antiquities (the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden), were the basis for an alternative ’new’ face. The reconstruction of this face is currently on show in the museum. www.rmo.nl
The face of Julius Caesar
Recently, on 22 June 2018, a lifelike interpretation of the general’s ‘new’ face was presented at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, in which the asymmetric shape of the skull and the receding hairline differ significantly from the traditional images. According to Buijtendorp, Caesar’s head displays clear signs of a difficult birth – a new fact in Caesar’s biography.
The specific skull abnormality enabled Buijtendorp to identify the so called Tusculum bust (Museo Archeologico, Turin) as the most authentic portrait of Caesar, which differs markedly from the marble posthumous busts that are most commonly displayed, and fits well with Caesars contemporary coin portrait.
Subsequently archaeologist and physical anthropologist Maja d’Hollosy was asked to make an alternative, more lifelike ‘Caesar of the Low Countries’, so to speak, based on one of the Caesar portraits from the collection in Leiden. Sources as the Tusculum bust and the coin portrait were used to add the missing features. Furthermore Buijtendorp’s research gave instructions about skin and eye colour, and hair.
The result is a mix between the three sources, with the museum bust as base. Since a 100 percent reliable sources were lacking, a major aim was to make Caesar more alive, not creating the ultimate Ceasar bust. According to Buijtendorp, this reconstruction of Caesar’s portrait reminds us that the traditional image of Caesar is unrealistic, but also shows the remaining uncertainties about details like the eyes: ‘Though the new version likewise does not represent an absolute truth, it does provide a more credible alternative to the existing picture, rejecting the symmetric head of hair image we got used to’.
La diaspora est un acteur important dans le développement d’un pays, mais force est de constater que certains d’entre nous avons malheureusement oublié d’où nous venons. Nous vous exhortons à avoir l’amour de la patrie qui vous a vu naître. Travaillons dans l’unité pour qu’ensemble nous puissions développer notre chère Patrie. Souvenons-nous de cet adage kirundi qui dit que « Iwabow’umuntunihoheza » et que « Amaherezo y’inzira ni mu nzu ».
J’exhorte donc tous les membres de la diaspora ici présents, à travailler d’arrache-pied pour l’unité entre tous les Burundais vivants au royaume des Pays-Bas. Je vous encourage à apporter votre pierre angulaire pour l’édification de cette nation qui vous a vus naitre. Ainsi, nous auront renforcé notre Indépendance par l’Unité et le Travail qui sont source de Développement durable. C’est dans cette perspective que je fais appel aux amis du Burundi qui se sont joints à nous pour célébrer notre Indépendance, de jouer leur rôle de partenaire fidèle afin de nous accompagner dans notre détermination de renforcer notre Indépendance sur tous les plans. Je profite de cette occasion pour saluer leur présence ici et exprimer mes sincères remerciements. Qu’ils se sentent parmi les leurs.
Avant de terminer, permettez-moi d’adresser mes vifs remerciements à l’endroit de l’équipe de la diaspora qui a organisé cette belle journée riche en couleurs. Qu’ils trouvent dans la réussite de cette fête, les honneurs d’avoir servi la Patrie et toute la communauté burundaise des Pays-Bas. Je remercie également le Gouvernement du Burundi qui ne cesse de nous interpeler à penser au pays et l’honorer autant que possible. Je vous souhaite à tous une belle fête de l’Indépendance et encore une fois, ensemble, « Renforçons l’Indépendance acquise du Burundi par l’Unité et le Travail, source du Développement » 
La diaspora est un acteur important dans le développement d’un pays, mais force est de constater que certains d’entre nous avons malheureusement oublié d’où nous venons. Nous vous exhortons à avoir l’amour de la patrie qui vous a vu naître. Travaillons dans l’unité pour qu’ensemble nous puissions développer notre chère Patrie. Souvenons-nous de cet adage kirundi qui dit que « Iwabow’umuntunihoheza » et que « Amaherezo y’inzira ni mu nzu ».
J’exhorte donc tous les membres de la diaspora ici présents, à travailler d’arrache-pied pour l’unité entre tous les Burundais vivants au royaume des Pays-Bas. Je vous encourage à apporter votre pierre angulaire pour l’édification de cette nation qui vous a vus naitre. Ainsi, nous auront renforcé notre Indépendance par l’Unité et le Travail qui sont source de Développement durable. C’est dans cette perspective que je fais appel aux amis du Burundi qui se sont joints à nous pour célébrer notre Indépendance, de jouer leur rôle de partenaire fidèle afin de nous accompagner dans notre détermination de renforcer notre Indépendance sur tous les plans. Je profite de cette occasion pour saluer leur présence ici et exprimer mes sincères remerciements. Qu’ils se sentent parmi les leurs.
Avant de terminer, permettez-moi d’adresser mes vifs remerciements à l’endroit de l’équipe de la diaspora qui a organisé cette belle journée riche en couleurs. Qu’ils trouvent dans la réussite de cette fête, les honneurs d’avoir servi la Patrie et toute la communauté burundaise des Pays-Bas. Je remercie également le Gouvernement du Burundi qui ne cesse de nous interpeler à penser au pays et l’honorer autant que possible. Je vous souhaite à tous une belle fête de l’Indépendance et encore une fois, ensemble, « Renforçons l’Indépendance acquise du Burundi par l’Unité et le Travail, source du Développement » 
The objective of the workshop was for the Iraqi delegation to learn from the International tribunals and experts how to collect evidence, to prosecute, and cooperate internationally.
The conference opened with Keynote speakers:
The first was Mr. Jan Kubis followed by Mr. Mauro Miedico, he thanked Japan for their support;
Ms. Christina Albertin, she stressed the misuse of the internet and changing methods of attack; Mr. Muhammad Rafluddin Shah, mentioned the recent anti-terrorism week and opportunities offered at this conference to exchange information.
The objective of the workshop was for the Iraqi delegation to learn from the International tribunals and experts how to collect evidence, to prosecute, and cooperate internationally.
The conference opened with Keynote speakers:
The first was Mr. Jan Kubis followed by Mr. Mauro Miedico, he thanked Japan for their support;
Ms. Christina Albertin, she stressed the misuse of the internet and changing methods of attack; Mr. Muhammad Rafluddin Shah, mentioned the recent anti-terrorism week and opportunities offered at this conference to exchange information.
