The Registrar of the International Court of Justice, H.E. Mr. Philippe Couvreur, has decided to step down from his functions, with effect from 1 July 2019, after thirty-seven years of service to the Court.
THE HAGUE, 15 February 2019. H.E. Mr. Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice, has notified the Court of his decision to step down from his functions with effect from 1 July 2019. After thirty-seven years of dedicated service to the Court, including nearly twenty years as Registrar, Mr. Couvreur, who has reached the age of 67, has expressed the wish to bring forward the close of his third term of office, to take a well deserved rest and to consider new professional horizons.
The Court respects this wish and extends its most sincere appreciation for the invaluable contribution made by Mr. Couvreur to the work and functioning of the institution.
H.E. Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice.
Having joined the Court in 1982 as special assistant to the Registrar and Deputy-Registrar, Mr. Couvreur rose to the rank of Secretary, then First Secretary of the Court in the Department of Legal Matters, of which he became Principal Legal Secretary in 1995. He was elected Registrar of the Court on 10 February 2000, re-elected on 8 February 2007, and again on 3 February 2014 making him the longest-serving Registrar in the history of the Court.
During his three mandates, he has exercised his duties with consummate professionalism, skilfully discharging the multiple and wide-ranging responsibilities attached to the role of Registrar in particular, in terms of providing judicial, diplomatic and administrative support to the Court. Since he joined the Court, Mr. Couvreur has actively participated in the handling of no less than 90 contentious cases and advisory opinions.
The Court will pay tribute to Mr. Couvreur at a ceremony to be announced at a later date. Procedures are now being put in place to enable the Court to elect a new Registrar.
Words cannot express how grateful we are for his support, guidance and encouragement since our first issue. Diplomat Magazine celebrates his strong leadership, his long successful career and dedication every day of his life to reach excellence. On behalf of Diplomat Magazine, we wish H.E. Mr Philippe Couvreur a bright wonderful future.
The Ambassador of Venezuela to the International Organizations, H.E. Haifa Aissami Madah, H.E. Alireza Jahangiri and his spouse Maryam.
By Guido Lanfranchi.
Iranians at home and all around the world recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the Netherlands, the Iranian Embassy organized a reception in Wassenaar, where the Embassy’s staff celebrated this important anniversary together with the diplomatic community.
It was at the beginning of 1979 that the Iranian people decided to rise against the oppressive rule of the Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, and to establish in its place the Islamic Republic of Iran, under the guidance of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Forty years later, on the fortieth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iranians are celebrating both within Iran and all around the world.
In the
Netherlands, which is host to a community of around 40,000 Iranians, the
Iranian Embassy decided to celebrate this anniversary together with its
partners of the diplomatic community. Ambassador Dr. Alireza Jahangiri invited
Iran’s many friends to gather at Kasteel de Wittenburg, in Wassenar, where
everything was duly prepared to host this important celebration.
In the evening
of February 11th, 2019, the hosts started to arrive at the Kasteel.
Among them, a large number of Ambassadors and diplomats were present, together
with officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and different
international organizations based in The Hague. All the guests were welcomed in
a large reception room, where they could enjoy talks about Iran and a number of
other issues.
The formal celebration started with the speech of the Iranian Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri. The Ambassador recalled the significance of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, stressing that since the very beginning the Revolution “followed the principles of respect for the right of other nations, standing against oppression, aggression, corruption, tyranny, arrogance and external interference in the fate of nations.”
H.E. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran.
Since the
Islamic Revolution – Ambassador Jahangiri noted – Iran has been victim of
conspiracies and terrorism, and its people have faced all types of hardships,
including coups, wars and sanctions. Nevertheless – he rejoiced – the Islamic
Republic has always managed to resist such attempts of destabilization, and has
even achieved “tremendous success” in sciences and academia, all by relying
exclusively on its own capabilities.
Ambassador
Jahangiri underlined the key role played by Iran at the regional level, which
has deep historical roots. He stressed that, “neither in the past 40 years nor
before, Iran has never initiated an attack or invasion of its neighbors or
other countries and whenever asked for help, it has rushed to aid every
country.”
The Ambassador
also noted Iran’s attachment to “constructive dialogue and multilateral
engagement with other countries based on the principles of equality and
respect.” He praised the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons, stressing the importance of this organization for Iran, which
in its history has been a victim of chemical weapons.
Moreover, he
praised the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the deal reached by Iran and
the so-called P5+1 on Iran’s nuclear development, as “a good example of the
triumph of diplomacy, multilateralism and Iran’s dedication to its
commitments.” He stressed that, while Iran’s compliance has been repeatedly
certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United States has
disattended its obligations. As also Iran’s European partners have not managed
to fulfill their obligations, “the balance in the agreement is disappeared” –
Ambassador Jahangiri regretted. However, he also wished that the recent
initiatives by European countries, notably the establishment of INSTEX, could
help both sides in addressing the current imbalances.
The Ambassador also praised the bilateral relationship between Iran and the Netheralnds, which has witnessed an expansion in all its dimensions over the past years. He praised the mutual visits by high-ranking officials from both sides, hoping for an even tighter cooperation in the year to come, including in the domain of economic interaction.
H.E. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi Ambassador of Iraq and H.E. Alireza Jahangiri.
Finally, while thanking all those involved in the organization of the celebration, Ambassador Jahangiri announced that this National Day ceremony would be the last for him as the Iranian Ambassador to the Netherlands. In his concluding remarks, he expressed his gratitude to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the whole diplomatic community of the Netherlands, thanking everyone for their “wholehearted cooperation and friendship.”
While the Ambassador and the Embassy’s staff celebrated the Revolution’s anniversary in Wassenaar with the diplomatic community of the Netherlands, large celebrations also took place in Iran. In this occasion, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the Iranian people with an important speech: in his address, the Supreme Leader praised the vast achievements of the Islamic Republic during the last forty years, then announcing the country’s movement towards the “Second Phase of the Revolution.” The entire speech of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran can be found here: http://english.khamenei.ir/news/6415/The-Second-Phase-of-the-Revolution-Statement-addressed-to-the
In Wassenaar, after welcoming the Ambassador Jahangiri’s speech with an applause, the guests enjoyed an intermezzo of traditional Iranian music, followed by a large set of Persian dishes prepared for the occasion. At the moment of leaving the reception, all the guests greeted Ambassador Jahangiri and his wife Maryam, at times exchanging the last goodbyes ahead of the Ambassador’s departure.
The Hague, 8 February 2019- The Principals of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) yesterday held a briefing for the diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and international organizations.
During the briefing, which was attended by some 100 ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, President Carmel Agius, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Registrar Olufemi Elias provided an overview of the Mechanism’s activities.
The Principals of the Mechanism also thanked State representatives for their steadfast support to the Mechanism since its inception, and identified several areas where continued support from Member States remains essential. These include locating and arresting the eight fugitives indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR); the remaining transfer of those convicted by the ICTR or the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to an enforcement State; and, more generally, ensuring that the Mechanism has sufficient budgetary resources to undertake its work.
President Agius briefed the diplomatic corps on the three main priorities of his Presidency, namely to: (i) conclude the Mechanism’s residual judicial proceedings in an efficient and timely manner, without sacrificing due process or fundamental fair trial rights of the accused; (ii) enhance the Mechanism’s unique mandate through a unified work culture, better inter-branch coordination, and the harmonisation of practices and procedures at both the Arusha and The Hague branches; and (iii) foster a work environment that encourages high staff morale and performance.
The President also informed the diplomatic corps about the Mechanism’s ongoing judicial activities, as well as recent changes to the judicial roster. President Agius assured those present that he is determined to ensure that the Mechanism presents a sound and fiscally responsible budget request for 2020.
Prosecutor Brammertz discussed the key activities of his Office, namely the expeditious completion of trials and appeals, the search for the remaining ICTR fugitives and assistance to national jurisdictions. The Prosecutor noted that the workload for some residual functions appeared to be greater than initially planned, particularly review and contempt litigation at the Arusha branch, and the need from national authorities for continued support. The Prosecutor underscored his commitment that the Prosecution’s upcoming budget submission will be as lean and cost-efficient as possible, while taking into account unexpected judicial activities.
Registrar Elias outlined current priorities of the Mechanism’s Registry, including facilitating the efficient completion of the ongoing cases, providing protection and support to witnesses, assisting national judicial authorities and further improving accessibility of the public judicial records and archives. He further reflected on some of the operational challenges the Mechanism is currently facing, underscoring in this regard the paramount importance of continued support of the United Nations Member States in the successful completion of the Mechanism’s mandate.
The Mechanism will continue to regularly update the diplomatic corps, both in Arusha and in The Hague, about its work and activities.
ICC´s President Chile Eboe-Osuji. Photography by ICC.
On 5 February 2019, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted an event launching the hub of the International Gender Champions (IGC) initiative in The Hague, The Netherlands, organized by the Embassies of Canada and Switzerland to The Netherlands.
During the event, Gender Champions, aspiring Gender Champions, and other advocates of gender equality discussed how to put into action the commitment of decision-makers in The Hague to break down gender barriers. Led by H.E. Sabine Nӧlke, Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands, and H.E. Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Ambassador of Switzerland to The Netherlands, The Hague Hub aims to promote gender equality across organisations of all stripes in the city as well coordinating global efforts with other IGC Chapters in Geneva, New York, Vienna and Nairobi.
H.E. Sabine Nӧlke, Ambassador of Canada.
ICC officials President Chile Eboe-Osuji, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and Registrar Peter Lewis, in their individual capacity as heads of the three organs of the ICC, joined the IGC leadership network last year vowing to strengthen gender equality at the Court by taking concrete measures jointly and individually within their respective spheres of responsibility.
The event opened with remarks by ICC President Eboe-Osuji, ICC Registrar Lewis, and H.E. Sabine Nӧlke, Ambassador of Canada to The Netherlands. It featured a panel discussion with ICC Prosecutor Bensouda, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to The Netherlands, Caitlin Kraft-Buchman, Executive Director of Women@TheTable and co-founder of International Gender Champions, as well as Hans de Boer, Chairman of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW).
The panel was moderated by H.E. Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Ambassador of Switzerland to The Netherlands.
Caitlin Kraft-Buchman, Executive Director of Women@TheTable and co-founder of International Gender Champions, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh.
“We can – and must – make it our culture to include women into public offices in equal numbers as men,” stated ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji.
“Equality for women is progress for all. Achieving gender parity is a collective responsibility,” said ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at the event. “I’m delighted to join the President, the Registrar, and other colleagues in The Hague chapter of the International Gender Champion leadership network to contribute – with concrete initiatives – to our shared goals of breaking gender barriers,” she added.
For ICC Registrar Peter Lewis, “the International Gender Champions initiative is very much welcome, as it makes gender equality at workplace a matter of concrete and purposeful steps.”
14 February 2019, Holy See: Bishop of Rome, Franciscus I, appointed the Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell as the new “camerlengo”, that is, the prelate who runs the Holy See in the interregnum between the death or resignation of a pontiff, and the election of a new one.
Cardinal Farrell, 71, was in born in Ireland and is the highest-ranking United Stater at the papal household. He succeeded the French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, who passed away in July 2018. The camerlengo, or chamberlain, acts as a sort of regent during the Holy See’s vacancy, and matters related to the Vatican city-state during the period known as the sedevacante.
Wheras the position is steeped in tradition and rituals, he cannot make any major decisions and cannot change Church teachings. In the case of a papal death, the camerlengo is the person who officially confirms it, traditionally by tapping the pontiff’s head three times with a silver hammer and calling out his name. He then seals the papal residence and office. In 2013, Benedictus XVI became the first pontiff in six centuries to abdicate; then Cardinal Tauran began his duties the day the resignation took effect. Franciscus I, aged 81, appears to enjoy good health.
On 13 and 14 February, a third coordination meeting was held at Eurojust regarding investigations into alleged criminal activity connected to the law firm ‘MF’.
On the invitation of the German and Italian Desks at Eurojust, the Panamanian delegation met with the competent authorities of Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Europol also attended the meeting.
The ‘MF papers’ investigation represents an unprecedented case of large-scale international money laundering in which international judicial cooperation has been crucial.
Eurojust is playing a pivotal role in bringing together all the competent authorities of EU Member States and third States, facilitating the exchange of information and ensuring the coordination of investigations.
During the meeting, the Panamanian authorities informed the participants of the state of play of their national proceedings and their new legislation on tax evasion, which will enter into force at the beginning of March and will simplify judicial cooperation with foreign jurisdictions.
Prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General of Panama made the following statement:‘Panama is a country on its way to overcoming some obstacles identified by international observers, and is now making unprecedented efforts in the fight against organised crime. For these reasons, one of the main priorities of the Attorney General of Panama is to strengthen international cooperation, as we are doing with Eurojust and with the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors,over which we preside.’
The two Eurojust Vice-Presidents, Messrs Filippo Spiezia and Klaus Meyer-Cabri, made the following statement: ‘We recognise the spirit of great international cooperation showed by the Panamanian authorities since the first meeting in this “Mossack-Fonseca” case. The new legislation on tax fraud recently adopted in Panama can be considered a milestone in the fight against organised crime, because it leads to greater worldwide judicial cooperation. We congratulate the Office of the Attorney General of Panama for the excellent results achieved so far in their investigations and we are grateful for the comprehensive cooperation provided to EU authorities.’
H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy, Ambassador of Uruguay and Lic. Anahí Aguirre Toni, Second Secretary.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
On Wednesday 23 rd January 2019 the new Uruguayan Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E Laura Dupuy presented her Letters of Credence to HM The King Willem Alexander.
The formal ceremony, based on a firmly established tradition and protocol took place at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. It represents one the of most memorable moments in the mandate of an Ambassador. As the formal beginning of the ceremony, Ambassador was taken to the palace by official carriage. Following the tradition, Ambassador Laura Dupuy hosted a vin d’ honneur at her residence.
Ambassador Laura Dupuy, H.E. Fernando Bucheli form Ecuador, Lic. Anahí Aguirre Toni, Second Secretary , Uruguay and the Charge d´affairs of Venezuela. Mr. Wilhen Neomar Diaz Lara.
Many distinguished guests attended, including fellow Ambassadors and well-wishers. The Ambassador thank everyone for the warm welcome extended to her. She is looking forward to good collaboration with her peers and others. Dupuy particularly mentioned the collaboration with the IHE Delft. She continued, don’t think that I know everything she quip…..I don’t! However, Laura Dupuy is no novice to the Diplomatic community.
H.E. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General and spouse Patricia van Oordt, the Ambassador of Uruguay H.E. Laura Dupuy and the Second Secretary, Lic. Anahí Aguirre Toni.
Ambassador
Dupuis is a career diplomat, graduated in International Relations at the
Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, and with three years of legal
studies at the same University.
Dupuis
was President of the U.N. Human Rights Council 2011/2012, having been the first
woman to chair it, on behalf of GRULAC, while she was Permanent Representative
of Uruguay to the U.N.-Geneva 2009-2014.
Uruguay
and the Netherlands have official diplomatic relations since April 14, 1896.
Both
countries, the Netherlands and Uruguay have worked together in different
subjects, like co-organizing the World Conference on Human Rights of LGBTI
persons, in Montevideo, in July 2016, on non-violence, non-discrimination and
social inclusion, particularly in view of the U.N. Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). Ambassador Laura Dupuy co-chaired that
Conference with Ambassador Kees van Baar.
It must have been of utmost significance for Ambassador Dupuy to present her credentials to HM King Willem Alexander and henceforth serve the Republic of Uruguay in such an august office.
Mr. Erik de Baedts, Peace Palace Director, TU Delft Director, H.E. Mr. Elyes Ghariani, Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran and the Ambassador of Uruguay.
Ras Al Khaimah, one of the northern emirates of the UAE opened an international representative office in Prague, Czech Republic.
The RAK representation shall oversee the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s activities in central and eastern Europe. In fact, the latter markets have shown increased interest in the emirate over the past few years, with significant growth year-on-year.
For instance, in 2018 visitor numbers from the Czech Republic and Hungary were up by 18.4 per cent and 11.4 per cent respectively compared to the previous year.The increase in demand from these markets was further highlighted by the introduction of direct flights between RAK International Airport and several cities in Poland including Warsaw, Katowice, Poznan and Wroclaw, as well as direct flights to Prague in the Czech Republic.
Adding to Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority international representation offices in UK, Germany, Russia and the Nordics states, the Prague office shall support initiatives to drive further awareness of the emirate as a multi-faceted leisure destination to Central and East European travellers.
Ambassador Laurence Bay & Premier Michael Kretschmer – Picture by Sächsische Staatskanzlei.
Wednesday, 13 February 2019, Dresden, Free State of Saxony: Premier of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, received for a visite de courtoisie the Singaporean ambassador Laurence Bay, who is accredited to the German Federation since 28 September 2016.
Both dignitaries spoke about the economic and cultural ties between Saxony and Singapore, particularly in the field of microelectronics and Industry 4.0 as well as the upcoming trade and cooperation accords between the EU and Singapore.
Namely the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement (IPA), which shall replace 12 existing bilateral investment treaties between Singapore and various EU member states, encouraging investments and setting out rules giving investors protection. The other being the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which provides a framework to deepen cooperation in key political areas from transport to science and technology.
These latter covenants must be sanctioned by all parliamentary bodies within the EU, also regional ones such as the Saxon Assembly (Landtag).
Ambassador Laurence Bay arrived in Germany in 2016. He pursued studies in politics and statecraft and has been posted in Indonesia and Japan previously.
Once again the Austrian Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer of Austria has open the doors of her residence to host yet another musical evening. During this time the focus was on American-Austrian composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold and his opera “Die tote Stadt”
Caspar Wintermans author of the biography“Een jongen van brutalezwier”: Erich Wolfgang Korngold in the Netherlands 1910-1958″ delivered a lecture on Korngold and the opera “Die tote Stadt”
Mr. Nicolas Mansfield,directeur Nederlandse Reisopera, was the second speaker at the event. He stated: ¨we believe that opera performance can change your life. That is why we make operas that connect and connect people. We believe that in a time of polarization and negativity, culture gives hope and connection. ¨ The Dutch Reisopera is the largest travelling opera company in the Netherlands. For more than 60 years, it has been inspiring as many people as possible with opera productions.
Die tote Stadt is a psychologically disconcerting love drama with Hitchcock-like features, about Paul who, after the loss of his beloved Marie, slowly but surely gets entangled in a dream world of obsessions and delusions. The music of Erich Wolfgang Korngold makes a spectacular comeback.
Further, featuring on the program was Sergei Bolotny, violin, and Keiko Sakuma, piano, they graced the evening with their music by Korngold from the opera “Die tote Stadt” and from “Viel Lärmen aus Nichts”
H.E. Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer’s soiree on Erich Wolfgang Korngold and his opera has without any doubt been a dazzling success. Congratulations to Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer for taking the initiative to organize un avant gout of the opera “Die tote Stadt”.
