In the picture: Sigmar Gabriel, Dr. Mustapha Adib (Lebanon’s Ambassador to Germany), Ambassador Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar and Sigmar Gabriel, Foreign Minister of Germany, jointly inaugurated last November “Der Diwan – The Arab Culture House” in Berlin.
The event serves as a major milestone for Qatar-German Year of Culture, and will also be a legacy of the year marked with numerous collaborative ventures and cultural exchanges.
Addressing the public at the opening Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said:”With the opening of the Arab Cultural House in Berlin today, we celebrate the long-standing friendship between Germany and Qatar. The Diwan will be a platform for lively cultural exchanges and development, and a testament of our commitment to building bridges with nations around the world”.
The attendees for the opening included government representatives and professionals from a variety of fields, who had the opportunity to learn about the unique history of the Diwan and its significance in the German-Qatar relationship.
HE Ambassador Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, Head of Mission of the State of Qatar to Germany added: “The Qatar Germany Year of Culture 2017 has seen many inspiring initiatives to build bridges between our cultures. Today, we celebrate the opening of the Arab Cultural House in Berlin, which offers a distinct space for German and Arabic culture and its relations to be strengthened.”Official Opening of The Diwan.
The new “Der Diwan” is an invaluable contribution to German heritage and the latest addition to Berlin’s diverse and vibrant cultural landscape. The Cultural House carries the significance of being Qatar’s first cultural center outside of Qatar and its opening in marks an exciting new chapter in the Qatari-German cultural relations.
Located in the Zehlendorf district of Berlin, the cultural house, formerly known as Villa Calé, was built between 1904 and 1907 by publisher Franz Calé and is considered to be one of the most beautiful villas in Berlin. The Diwan has a rich and colorful history, having previously been used for private housing, then hosting the Institute of Film and Image in Science and Education, before the State of Qatar purchased the building in 1997.
For further information:http://botschaft-katar.de/en/der-diwan-arab-culture-house-opens-doors-in-berlin/http://botschaft-katar.de/en/in-pictures-opening-of-der-diwan-the-arab-culture-house/
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Pictures by Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Germany.
‘Ramsey Nasr’s acting is superb‘ – Het Nieuwsblad ★★★★
The basis of The other voice is La voix humaine, Jean Cocteau’s farewell monologue in which a woman calls her ex-lover for the last time. The audience can only guess the answers of the absent ex, based on her reactions. Ramsey Nasr wondered what the man on the other side of the line had to say and wrote a text that fits perfectly into the original text by Cocteau: The other voice. Nasr performs this male reply under the direction of Ivo van Hove. The play will go on a tour of the Netherlands and Belgium on 19 January.
While Cocteau’s monologue mainly tells the story of one woman, The other voice dissects the entire relationship. It is the story of two people, addicted to each other, knowing they were never made for each other. While the man wants to move on and tries to be practical, the woman on the other side of the line appears to be going through something much more difficult. But it only seems that way. As the play progresses, it becomes clear that both partners have been damaged by this love story. The telephone conversation becomes a lifeline.
Mr. Gerhard Jarosch was appointed National Member for Austria at Eurojust for a four-year term, starting 1 January 2018. In accordance with Article 2(1) of the Eurojust Decision, the appointment was approved by the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union.From 1999 until 2003, Mr. Jarosch was a prosecutor in Eisenstadt, Austria, situated near the EU Schengen border with Hungary. There he dealt with a large variety of criminal cases. He became a prosecutor in Vienna in 2003, specialised in organised crime and terrorism cases and international legal cooperation. In 2008, Mr. Jarosch became a Senior Prosecutor. Since 2009, Mr. Jarosch was Deputy Chief Prosecutor in Vienna.Mr. Jarosch is the President of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), former President of the Austrian Association of Prosecutors and former President of the Austrian Prosecutors Personnel Representation.Following his appointment, Mr Jarosch said: ‘As the President of the IAP, I am already acquainted with many colleagues at Eurojust, which should make this appointment a smooth transition.’Mr. Jarosch replaces Ms. Gabriela Hornbeck as National Member for Austria.
A senior delegation of the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence from South Africa visited last week the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), to gain insight into the Organisation’s current and future priorities for upholding the international ban on chemical weapons.
The delegation led by the Whip of the Committee, Mr. James Skosana, met with OPCW’s Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, who presented the key developments in OPCW’s current work and outlined the vision for its future activities. He highlighted the Organisation’s growing role in strengthening the prevention of the re-emergence of chemical weapons and its continuous attention to building the capacity of States Parties from Africa.
The delegation also included: Ms. Zephroma Dlamini-Dubazana; Mr. Russel Cebekulu; Mr. Dennis Dumisani Gamede; Mr. Donald Mlindwa Gumede; Mr. Bantubonke Holomisa; Mr. Herman Groenewald; Mr. Sibusiso Christopher Mncwabe; Mr. Phello Parkies; Mr. Hendrik Schmidt; Mr. Dirk Stubbe; Ms. Tabiso Wana; and Mr. John Sefako.
The delegation was accompanied by Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the OPCW, Mr. Gaylord Ngcobo.
15 Marie Sklodowska-Curie PhD positions Well-being, Ecology, Gender and Community-Innovative Training Network (WEGO-ITN)On behalf of the WEGO-ITN, The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam is pleased to announce the recruitment of 15 Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) PhD positions (Early Stage Researchers).WEGO-ITN’s consortium is made up of scholar-activists working on feminist political ecology from ten institutions in five European Union countries: Germany, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom and eight institutions from six countries for training and secondments: Australia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Uruguay and USA.For more information, visit: https://www.iss.nl/en/research-15/research-programmes/projects/civil-society-and-market/research-projects/well-beinghttps://www.iss.nl/en/news/15-marie-sklodowska-curie-phd-positions
ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, condemns recent violence in Benghazi, Libya.
I am deeply concerned by reports that unidentified persons detonated two car bombs outside theBaya’at al-Radwan mosque in the Al-Salmani district of Benghazi, Libya on the evening of 23 January 2018, killing at least 34 people, including children, and wounding over 90 others.
I am equally appalled by photographs and video made public on 24 January 2018, that purportedly show Major Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli executing 10 persons in front of the Baya’at al-Radwan mosque, in what appears to constitute retaliation for the cowardly bombings of 23 January 2018.
These bombings and executions demand both condemnation and a meaningful response. My Office remains committed to doing its part, within its means, by investigating and prosecuting grave crimes in Libya falling under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”), in particular, the crimes of commanders and superiors, irrespective of the identity of the perpetrators or their affiliation.
I once again repeat my call to Libya to take all necessary steps possible to immediately arrest and surrender Mr al-Werfalli to the ICC. I also repeat my call on all States, including members of the United Nations Security Council, to support Libya in facilitating Mr al-Werfalli’s arrest and surrender to the Court.
I note that on 24 January 2018, the United Nations Mission in Libya expressed alarm at the “brutal and outrageous summary executions in Benghazi” and demanded the immediate handover of Mr al-Werfalli to the ICC. These calls must be heeded with concrete follow-up action. Only when perpetrators realise there will be serious consequences for their crimes can we hope to deter future crimes.
I am dismayed that Mr al-Werfalli appears to remain in a position of command, and allegedly continues to commit crimes with impunity, despite an official statement from the General Command of the Libyan National Army (“LNA”) in August 2017 that Mr al-Werfalli had been arrested and was under investigation by a military prosecutor. I once again call on General Khalifa Haftar, as commander of the LNA and superior of Mr al-Werfalli, to heed my previous call to the LNA to work with the Libyan authorities to enable the suspect’s immediate arrest and surrender to the ICC.
The appalling cycle of violence and impunity in Libya cannot be allowed to continue for the sake of the Libyan people and the security and stability of the country and the region.
Anyone with information relating to the bombings or the executions mentioned above, please contact the Office of the Prosecutor at the following email address: LBY@icc-cpi.int.
Philip Hammond, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Picture by EU.Wednesday, 10 January 2018, Berlin, Germany: UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond and Brexit Minister, David Davis, have made a direct appeal to German business leaders to aid them forging a Brexit securing the future of Britain’s financial services. Their visit culminated with an address of the Die Welt Economic Summit, where their appeal was uninhibited for the German economic and political élite, albeit no private meetings were held with any cabinet ministers this time around. The UK aims at holding negotiations from the position of complete harmonization in the UK, and hence that merely the scope for deviation must be elicited from the talks. They envisage a “bespoke agreement” vis-à-vis the EU. During the Die Welt summit, Minister Hammond told the audience that the UK would like close economic co-operation with the EU, but might be forced down the path that has been dubbed “the Singapore route”, of low taxes and light regulation, if it was rebuffed. They said they were seeking a bespoke deal with the EU described as “the most ambitious in the world” that should “cover the length and breadth of our economies including the service industries, and financial services”.Their trip comes just weeks after the EU warned that a deal involving the City of London was not on the table as long as the UK insisted on exiting the single market. Previous to their visit the two ministers co-wrote an article for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, wherein two ministers admitted that the UK cannot have the same relationship it has as a member. Nevertheless, they dispute that access to the Single Market for goods and services requires likewise membership of the Customs Union.Minister Davis, also headed to Munich on Thursday, 11 January, to meet senior industry bosses in an attempt to mobilise German business to lobby for a deal that maintains close economic ties. For further information:UK Chancellor of the Exchequer: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/chancellor-of-the-exchequerDie Welt Economic Summit: http://www.wirtschaftsgipfel.com/wgd_2018_herausforderung_zukunft/Her Britannic Majesty’s Embassy to Germany (Ambassador Sir Sebastian Wood): https://www.gov.uk/government/people/sebastian-wood
By The Hague Municipality.Sunday 4 February 2018, 11:00 – 17:00
Come and visit the Feel at Home Fair at The Hague’s City Hall, the biggest International Community event in the Netherlands! Some 150 exhibitions, performers, presenters and fundraisers will provide the special mix of information, animation and entertainment.
With a special theme of Sports, Leisure and Wellness, there will be demonstrations, try-outs and workshops, showcasing a wide range of sports and leisure activities. Health and wellness experts will help you keep fit in body and mind.
The Hague Region has an excellent infrastructure of clubs, associations and sports facilities to practice every sport imaginable: from beach sports to skiing, sailing to golf, gymnastics or dance to rugby or football, hockey or korfball. Companies, friends and family teams are invited to take part in friendly challenges and competitions.
The Hague International Centre
During the Feel at Home Fair you are welcome to visit The Hague International Centre.
Help with Formalities: registration, residence permit and Citizen Service Number.
Details regarding (International) schools for your children.
Advice on how to make a smooth transition as you settle in.
Discovering how to get around
During the Feel at Home Fair The Hague Information Centre will present several Information Sessions for New Arrivals on formalities such as registration, residence permit, parking permit and Citizen Service Number.
International Criminal Court Marks Opening of the Judicial Year 2018 On 18 January 2018, the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) marked the opening of its judicial year by organising a ceremony at the seat of the Court in The Hague, Netherlands. His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, President of Trinidad and Tobago attended the event, together with more than 50 senior judges representing the national jurisdictions of 25 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 8 regional or international courts, and the International Criminal Court. Members of the diplomatic corps, international organisations and civil society were also present.It was the first time that the ICC formally marked the opening of the judicial year, which also coincided with the launch of commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty. “In holding such a ceremony for the first time at the International Criminal Court, we underline the judicial nature of our institution, which is guided strictly by its legal framework, and we recall our undertaking to perform our duties honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously”, said ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi. “The ceremony provides an opportunity not only to foster understanding about the Court’s work but also to engage with judges of other jurisdictions in order to exchange views and experiences in our respective functions. (…) The future of the rule of law lies in dialogue and collaboration – not in isolation.” President Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi.H.E. Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona O.R.T.T., S.C., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, former ICC Judge and former High Court Judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago was the distinguished guest speaker of the event. “The International Criminal Court is the international guarantor and guardian of the rule of law, “ President Carmona declared. “Today, as the ICC commemorates the milestones of an inauguration and an opening ceremony, the resonating themes implicit in the Court’s very existence are accountability, transparency, independence, cooperation among Member States, Nation States and the universality of the Rome Statute.”The Ceremony was held after a fruitful judicial Seminar on complementarity and cooperation of national, regional and international Courts where participants discussed the interconnectedness of international, regional and national courts as part of a global justice system.
The Ambassador of Tanzania, Ms Irene Kasyanju, will resume her duties as Coordinator of Ladies Ambassador’s Group in the Netherlands after a successful mandate were she promote partnership, dialogue and solid networking among the 34 ladies ambassadors credited to the Netherlands including those with embassies located in Brussels.
The Ambassador of Guatemala, Her Excellency Marithza Ruiz de Vielman will take now the lead of the group.
Here below an extract of Ambassador Kasyanju’s au revoir letter:
My term as Coordinator of our Group has come to an end. H.E. Ambassador Marithza Ruiz de Vielman of Guatemala has been kind enough to accept this role and thus she will take over as our new Coordinator, representing Latin American Regional Group.
She further expressed that: “ It was a great opportunity for me to get to know you closer as well as to know many other ladies in various leadership positions who came to meet and speak to our group as guests of honor.Ladies Ambassador of The Hague, 2016.
Ambassador Kasyanju remarked on her letter: I’m particularly grateful to our African Group Dean, H. E. Ambassador Odette Melono who nominated me to take up this role only sixth months after reporting to the Netherlands! I am also grateful to Dr. Mayelinne De Lara of Diplomat Magazine for his great support and for taking our Group to greater heights. Let me take this opportunity to wish Ambassador Vielman all the best in her new responsibilities.”Ladies Ambassadors of The Hague, Nov 2017
The Ceremony was held after a fruitful judicial Seminar on complementarity and cooperation of national, regional and international Courts where participants discussed the interconnectedness of international, regional and national courts as part of a global justice system.
The Ceremony was held after a fruitful judicial Seminar on complementarity and cooperation of national, regional and international Courts where participants discussed the interconnectedness of international, regional and national courts as part of a global justice system.
Here below an extract of Ambassador Kasyanju’s au revoir letter:
My term as Coordinator of our Group has come to an end. H.E. Ambassador Marithza Ruiz de Vielman of Guatemala has been kind enough to accept this role and thus she will take over as our new Coordinator, representing Latin American Regional Group.
She further expressed that: “ It was a great opportunity for me to get to know you closer as well as to know many other ladies in various leadership positions who came to meet and speak to our group as guests of honor.
Here below an extract of Ambassador Kasyanju’s au revoir letter:
My term as Coordinator of our Group has come to an end. H.E. Ambassador Marithza Ruiz de Vielman of Guatemala has been kind enough to accept this role and thus she will take over as our new Coordinator, representing Latin American Regional Group.
She further expressed that: “ It was a great opportunity for me to get to know you closer as well as to know many other ladies in various leadership positions who came to meet and speak to our group as guests of honor.
