By Judge Theodor Meron, President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals.
The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals is an institution that finds itself, in many ways, at a critical juncture in the evolution of international criminal justice.
As the successor to the first international criminal courts of the modern eraâthe International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and for the former Yugoslaviaâthe Mechanism is responsible for carrying out key residual functions inherited from its predecessors, such as the protection of vulnerable witnesses and the enforcement of sentences of those convicted by the ICTR or the ICTY. It is, in many ways, the guardian of the important legacies of these two pioneering Tribunals in Arusha and The Hague, and the embodiment of the international communityâs abiding commitment to accountability and the rule of law, a commitment reflected in the establishment of the ICTR and the ICTY nearly a quarter century ago.
At the same time, the Mechanism is an active court in its own right, with two major appeal cases currently pending, a trial about to commence, and on-going proceedings related to requests for review and other relief. It must find a harmonized, one-institution approach to its operations spanning two continents, an approach that draws in an equitable manner on the traditions and practices of its predecessors while remaining capable of addressing the variable operational needs and constraints at its branches in Africa and Europe.
And it is very much at the vanguard of a new generation of institutions and initiatives aimed at harnessing innovations and identifying best practices with the goal of making international criminal justice more efficient, more cost-effective, and thereby more sustainable in the long-term. Indeed, thanks to the direction given to it by the UN Security Council to be small and efficient, the Mechanism is, in many ways, bound to question existing orthodoxies as to how international criminal courts can and should carry out their work and to seek out new, improved ways of accomplishing its workâso long as it does so without jeopardizing respect for the principle of normative continuity or the rights of those individuals for whom and to whom it is responsible.
The Mechanismâs Statute, for instance, provides for Judges to serve on a roster, to work only when needed and to carry out their functions remotely from their homes and offices in countries around the world unless they are called to one of the seats of the Mechanismâs branches. The Statute also provides for Judges to be paid by days of work (as is the case for the Judges ad hoc of the International Court of Justice), expands the competence of single Judges, and provides for certain matters to be addressed by three-Judge appeal panels. All of this reflects a new approach as compared to the ICTR and the ICTYâand is but one of myriad ways in which the Mechanism, as a matter of institutional design and through evolving practice, exemplifies an effort to address a chorus of criticisms of international criminal justice that has grown in recent years.
The rising tide of these criticismsâcriticisms of the cost of international criminal courtsâ operations and of the duration and selective nature of their proceedingsâraises serious concerns with which all of us who care about this still developing field must grapple. Indeed, if such criticisms are left unaddressed, we risk seeing the important advances made in the fight to end impunity over the past twenty-five years fall away. As a result, it is imperative that our approach to ensuring accountability for violations of international law continue to evolve, that we encourage creative thinking and learn from past mistakes, and that we share these lessons broadly so as to maximize their benefit.
But there is only so much that international courts like the Mechanism can achieve on their own. Our successâas an institution and as a model for a new kind of international courtâdepends to a great extent on the support of States. Such support can take many forms: sharing ideas and suggestions for innovation; collaborating on and supporting information-sharing activities; providing vital services as a Host State; ensuring the protection of witnesses; enforcing sentences of convicted individuals; cooperating with court orders; facilitating the relocation of individuals who were acquitted or released following service of sentence; and contributing to the on-going efforts to arrest the eight remaining fugitives indicted by the ICTR, three of whom are expected to be tried by the Mechanism.
The support and cooperation of States are all the more vital given the unique structure of the Mechanism, with its operations spanning two continents and its Judges working from countries around the world, as demonstrated by the deeply troubling situation involving Mechanism Judge Aydin Sefa Akay of Turkey. The arrest of Judge Akay in Turkey in September 2016, and his continued detention there notwithstanding the formal assertion of his diplomatic immunity by the United Nations and a judicial order directing his release, has serious implications not just for the Judge himself and for the Mechanism case to which he was assigned at the time of his arrest, but also for the Mechanismâs ability to carry out its core judicial functions in accordance with the remote-judging model established by the Security Council.
Moreover, for all that the Mechanism can and will achieve as it moves forward, it inevitably will remain just one small piece of a much larger puzzle. Alone, it can never address the deeply destructive problem of the selective application of the law. The only way for the fight to end impunity for international crimes to succeed in the long term, and for the problem of selectivityâwhich is anathema to the rule of lawâto be addressed, is for States to take action: to strengthen their own capacity to try cases involving international crimes; to contribute to the strengthening of that capacity in other States; to resist political manoeuvring aimed at shielding selected individuals from accountability; and to explore all possible avenues to ensure accountability, such as through regional courts. By taking such steps now, at this critical moment in the evolution of international justice, States will benefit from the momentum developed in the past twenty-five years in The Hague and elsewhereâand, together with the Mechanism, they will help to ensure that the ground-breaking advances made in accountability over the course of the last quarter century will benefit generations to come.
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The author: Judge and past President of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; former Judge of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; Charles L. Denison Professor Emeritus and Judicial Fellow, New York University School of Law; Visiting Professor, University of Oxford, since 2014.
By Jhr. Alexander W. Beelaerts van Blokland LL.M.
The Hague is well known as the international city that hosts not only about one hundred embassies but also very many international tribunals and Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOâs) like the International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the International Criminal Court (ICC), OPCW, Yougoslavia Tribunal, Iran-US Claims Tribunal, the Lebanon Tribunal, the Kosovo Tribunal etcetera.
Less well known is that over a hundred (!) of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOâs) are settled in The Hague as well.  They are the results of private initiatives and act independently from governments. The NGOâs are active in many fields. They are very divers, in their aim as well as in their size. Most NGOâs in The Hague are active in one of the fields The Hagues is well known for: law, peace, security but also water and sustainability. Especially for the very many small NGOâs the city of The Hague opened some years ago two buildings where these organisations can open their office (at Laan van Meerdervoort 70 and at Zeestraat 100).
One of the new NGOâs that The Hague welcomes is Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI). The headquaters of MBBI are nearby Washington D.C. in the USA, but MBBI decided to open an office in The Hague as well. MBBI will settle at Laan van Meerdervoort 70.
MBBIâs device is: people building peace. The only lasting peace is the one built by the disputants themselves. MBBI works to bring mediation and peace skills to communities around the globe so they can, in turn, build a more peace âableâ world. To this end, MBBI organizes initiatives to address three essential objectives: capacity building, promoting mediation through advocacy and delivering consultancy services.
MBBI builds local capacities of peace and promotes mediation worldwide. MBBI does that by enhancing local capacity upon invitation, advocating for mediation in all arenas and providing consultancy services that promote peaceful conflict solution. MBBI is member of and connected to many international institutions and organisations (ECOSOC, UNFCCC etc.).
MBBI is hosting its 8th Conference in The Hague in the Peace Palace 4 â 6 October 2017, also celebrating its 10th anniversary. You are welcome.
See www.mediatorsbeyondborders.org.
About the author:Jhr. Alexander W. Beelaerts van Blokland LL.M. is Justice (Judge) in the (Dutch) Court of Appeal and Special Advisor International Affairs, appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen of The Hague. a.beelaerts@planet.nl
Dr. Chen Shih-chung, Minister of Health and Welfare, Republic of China (Taiwan).
Disease knows no borders. Only by working together, leaving no one out, can we adequately address the challenges of emerging infectious diseases, which have been made all the more complex by the effects of globalization on our health environment. As influenza viruses are constantly evolving and circulating in humans, as well as a number of animal species, the specter of a potential influenza pandemic haunts us constantly.
Outbreaks of avian influenza and novel influenza have repeatedly threatened global health security in the past few years. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) has continuously urged nations to invest more in the development and implementation of various pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions against pandemic influenza.
Taiwan was devastated by the 2003 SARS outbreak. Many of our frontline healthcare workers became infected while caring for patients, and unfortunately, some perished, including a nurse, then in her third trimester of pregnancy. Several hospitals were closed, more than 151,000 people were quarantined at home, a travel advisory was issued, and schools closed. We paid a heavy price to learn that disease indeed respects no national borders and to recognize the importance of international collaboration in tackling the threat posed by infectious disease.
At that time, Taiwan not being a WHO member, we did not receive timely information on the SARS virus and related disease control information. We were dependent on the expertise generously shared by the US CDC on how to control the outbreak. It was not until the SARS outbreak spread to Heping Hospital that the WHO finally dispatched experts to Taiwan. This was the first such assistance the organization had provided us in 31 years. SARS was a reminder to the WHO and the international community that they could not afford to leave Taiwan out in the cold, and led them to ponder ways of bridging this gap in the global health network.
In the post-SARS period, our public health officials and experts were invited to participate in WHO SARS conferences. Following the issuance of the WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response guidance document, Taiwan established a national stockpile of influenza antiviral drugs in 2003, formulated a national influenza pandemic preparedness and response plan in 2005, and created a prepandemic stockpile of A/H5N1 vaccine for human use in 2007. In addition, we set up a three-tier preparedness plan that includes efforts by the central government, local governments, and healthcare institutions to maintain a 30-day stockpile of personal protective equipment. We also established a communicable disease control network, designating six pandemic response hospitals across Taiwan.
Since 2005, we have been invited to attend certain WHO technical meetings on influenza, where we are able to exchange experiences with experts from around the world. Also, Taiwan was included in the framework of the WHOâs International Health Regulations (2005) in 2009, establishing a direct liaison with WHO headquarters so we could report major public health events directly to the WHO. Thanks to having these direct communication channels, Taiwan was able to effectively implement various control measures during the H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009.
We practiced real-time surveillance, promptly notified the WHO, and shared genetic information on the H1N1 influenza virus with the international community. Further, we were able to obtain the vaccine strain to domestically produce a vaccine and reached a national vaccination coverage rate of over 70 percent, effectively reducing H1N1-associated mortality and preventing the further spread of the virus domestically and abroad.
Taiwan confirmed the worldâs first human case of H6N1 avian influenza in 2013 and promptly shared genetic information on the virus with the international community. Earlier this year, we identified a human H7N9 case imported from China. Genetic data showed that the virus was highly pathogenic for poultry and had a mutation associated with resistance to commonly used antivirals. Besides reporting the case information and the test results to the WHO through the National IHR focal point, we submitted sequencing data to GISAID within three days of identifying the case and voluntarily shared the virus strain with WHO-collaborating influenza centers in the United States and Japan within a month. The sequencing data can serve as reference for the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System to select seasonal influenza vaccine strains. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan was glad to be able to share its experience, provide recommendations on the clinical management of H7N9, and offer other information that can serve as important reference for WHO antiviral stockpile guidelines.
Beside the continued occurrence of H5N2 avian influenza outbreaks in Taiwan, the highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza virus, with a mortality rate of 70 percent, and which has infected 17 people in mainland China, was found among poultry in Taiwan earlier this year. Although no human case of H5N6 has been found in Taiwan, due to our proximity to China and relevant migratory bird routes, we will continue to closely monitor avian influenza virus activity in an effort to prevent poultry-to-human transmission of the virus.
It is regrettable that political obstruction has resulted in Taiwanâs often being refused attendance at technical meetings of the WHO. This situation has created grave difficulties in Taiwanâs efforts to collaborate with the international community on disease prevention. We are profoundly disappointed that the WHO has failed to abide by its Constitution and has ignored widespread support in the international community for Taiwanâs participation in the WHA, instead bowing to political pressure from a certain member by excluding Taiwan from that body. The WHO is a professional, international health organization. It is obliged to abide by the principles espoused in its Constitution, particularly the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health for all people, regardless of race, religion, political belief, or economic or social condition. This right to health is the foundation underpinning the WHOâs previous invitations to Taiwan to participate in the WHA and, on an equal basis, in WHO activities and technical meetings.
We urge the WHO and related parties to acknowledge Taiwanâs longstanding contributions to the international community in the areas of public health, disease prevention, and the human right to health, as well as the healthcare partnerships it has forged with WHO member states. Taiwan is capable of and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the WHO to deal with the challenges of disease control. The WHO should recognize the legitimacy and importance of Taiwanâs participation in the WHO and its Assembly. To bridge the gap in the global disease prevention network, Taiwan needs the WHO, but the WHO also needs Taiwan.
By Tom Chou, Representative, Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands.
An outbreak of a highly contagious disease, such as MERS, Ebola or Zika, if not being dealt with promptly, can easily spread over the world. Therefore, no country should be left behind the security net of global health.
Taiwan has provided over US$ 6 billion in international and humanitarian aid efforts since 1996. It has benefited millions of people directly or indirectly in more than 80 countries.
Since 2009, Taiwan has been invited by the WHO to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer. With this new capacity, Taiwan has contributed further to the world community by sharing its valuable medical experience and advanced health technology.
Representative Tom Chou.
In the meantime, it has also benefited greatly in receiving timely information from the WHO that is critical in fighting new outbreaks of serious epidemics in other parts of the world.
Moreover, Taiwan administers the Taipei Flight Information Region, which sees over 60 million incoming and outgoing passengers, including Dutch visitors, a year. Taiwanâs participation to the WHA makes the world a safer place for all.
However, Taiwan has not yet received invitation to attend the WHA which will be held in late May of this year. The support of the international community to its continuing participation in the WHA is very important for the wellbeing of Taiwan and the world.
To mark the third International Day of Yoga, the Embassy of India, The Hague and The Gandhi Centre, the Cultural Wing of the Embassy will be organizing an event in the Atrium, City Hall of The Hague on Sunday, June 18, 2017.
The event is open to the public, free of charge, and will also be attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Dutch, Surinami-Hindustani and Indian diaspora communities. Last year, around 650 people shared the beautiful experience of a guided group yoga session held in the tranquility of The Hague City Hall Atrium.
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined 45,000 of his countrymen and women in a yoga session hosted at Capitol Complex in Chandigarh on the second International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21. Similar sessions were held in 177 other countries which attracted both beginners as well as experienced practitioners of yoga, making the first International Day of Yoga a global success.
Mr. Amit Khanna, the Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre, the Cultural Wing of the Embassy of India in The Hague.
As part of the event, a group yoga session will be held, which will be led by Mr. Amit Khanna, the Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre, the Cultural Wing of the Embassy of India, The Hague.
Mr. Khanna has been a Yoga expert, instructor, and therapist at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy) in India.
He has provided yoga training and therapy to more than 20,000 people in India and abroad. His guidance during the group yoga session of the International Day of Yoga 2016 in The Hague made it an unforgettable experience for both beginners as well as experienced practitioners of yoga.
Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind. The United Nations recognized the universal appeal of yoga through its Resolution 69/131 which was moved by India, and co-sponsored by a record 177 countries including the Netherlands and was passed unanimously. The word âyogaâ which derives from Sanskrit means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
International Yoga Day 2016, The Hague City Hall.
21 June was declared as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 2014. The declaration came after the call for the adoption of the same by Indian Prime Minister during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014 wherein he stated: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. ”Â
The Secretary General to the United Nations stated that through the Adoption of the UN Resolution on the International Day of Yoga, âThe General Assembly has recognized the holistic benefits of this timeless practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the United Nationsâ.
He further stated: âYoga offers a simple, accessible and inclusive means to promote physical and spiritual health and well-being. It promotes respect for oneâs fellow human beings and for the planet we share. And yoga does not discriminate; to varying degrees, all people can practice, regardless of their relative strength, age or ability.â
Pianist Beka Gochiashvili and Ambassador Konstantine Surguladze.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
A double celebration: 26 years of reestablishment of independence and 25 years of bilateral diplomatic relations with the Netherlands
An Invitation by H.E. Mr. Konstantine Surguladze Ambassador of Georgia to attend a piano concert and reception on the occasion of Georgia’s National Day and the celebration of 25 years of cordial bilateral diplomatic relations between the Republic of Georgia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157682568778890Ambassador Konstantine Surguladze and his family.
The piano concert was by a renowned Georgian jazz pianist Beka Gochiashvili who currently resides in the USA.
Ambassador Surguladze, outfitted in an authentic Georgian attire the Chokha, stole the show. By putting on a chokha one is saying âI am a Georgianâ Beka Gochiashvili played his well-known number Shumba, which he had dedicated to the victims of the enormous floods back in Tbilisi back in 2015.
Mr. Marko Korac, OPCW and H.E. Mikalai Barysevich Ambassador fo Belarus.
Enjoying the concert and braving the high temperature(27) was a large group of members of the Diplomatic community, Dutch entrepreneurs, Government representatives along with the Georgian diaspora. Ambassador Konstantine Surguladze in his welcome remarks, praised the long-standing good relationship with the Netherlands and commended the hardworking and proud Georgian people.
An exquisite Georgian buffet concluded an afternoon of Georgian hospitality at the Royal Theater in the Hague on 29 May 2017.
Mr. and spouse Ekatherina Dugladze.
H.E. ElĆŒbieta Lanc, Vice-Marshall of Mazovia and HE Ambassador Artur Orzechowski.Thursday, 4 May 2017, Brussels City Hall:  HE Ambassador Artur Orzechowski, Head of Mission accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium in collaboration with the Voivodeship of Marzovia as represented by Vice-Marshall ElĆŒbieta Lanc, presided over a very successful celebration of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791. The latter was after the US American one, the oldest in the world as a written supreme law as well as the first one of its kind in Europe. Highlight of the reception, and of particularly interest for the numerous guests was a replica of the aforementioned constitution which was on display at the Gothic Hall of the City Hall. It was on loan from the Council of Europe with seat in Strasbourg, and was brought to Brussels exclusively for the event hosted by the Polish Embassy to Belgium. Guests included members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from the Belgian Foreign Office, Belgian politicians, EU authorities as well as mayors of cities liberated after World War II by the Lions of Maczek. Throughout the event a musical background was provided by The Strings Quartet, which played classical (e.g., Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi) and popular music (e.g., Queen, E.Piaf). A Polish vodka bar served cocktails to the guests which enjoyed them together with the rich buffet of Polish specialties. For further information:http://www.bruksela.msz.gov.pl/fr/actualits/l_hotel_de_ville_de_bruxelles_au_coeur_des_celebrations_de_la_fete_nationale_polonaiseshttp://www.mazovia.pl/en/international-cooperation/the-representative-office-of-mazovia-voivodeship-in-brussels/ ——-Pictures by T. Cibulla (Embassy of the Republic of Poland to the Kingdom of Belgium)Â
The boutique incorporates Roman marble-inspired designs onto the high-profile shopping locale, to interplay between old and new, between ancient tradition and contemporary design. Drawing on Bulgariâs Mediterranean origins, Marinoâs design concept emphasised Italian classicism while respectfully interpreting it within local Czech architecture.
Bulgari, master of gemstones, finds endless inspiration in its homelandâs rich history, expressing its tireless creativity with a colourful Italian soul. Reinterpreting the majestic symbols of the Eternal City into exquisite editions of jewellery, watches, accessories and perfumes, its bold yet elegant spirit is guarded in the new Prague boutique, as it brings Italy to the Czech Republic.
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About Bvlgari:
Part of the LVMH Group, Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewellery shop and quickly established a reputation for Italian excellence with exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent jewellery creations. The Companyâs international success has evolved into a global and diversified luxury purveyor of products and services ranging from fine jewels and watches to accessories and perfumes, with an unrivalled network of boutiques and hotels in the worldâs most exclusive shopping areas.
For more information on Bulgari, visit www.bulgari.com
Guests included members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from the Belgian Foreign Office, Belgian politicians, EU authorities as well as mayors of cities liberated after World War II by the Lions of Maczek. Throughout the event a musical background was provided by The Strings Quartet, which played classical (e.g., Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi) and popular music (e.g., Queen, E.Piaf). A Polish vodka bar served cocktails to the guests which enjoyed them together with the rich buffet of Polish specialties.Â
For further information:
http://www.bruksela.msz.gov.pl/fr/actualits/l_hotel_de_ville_de_bruxelles_au_coeur_des_celebrations_de_la_fete_nationale_polonaises
http://www.mazovia.pl/en/international-cooperation/the-representative-office-of-mazovia-voivodeship-in-brussels/
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Pictures by T. Cibulla (Embassy of the Republic of Poland to the Kingdom of Belgium)
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Description of Oud Essential
âAn Oud Distinguished by Freshnessâ
 A rare and refined raw ingredient with a hint of spice that evokes the red gold of the caravanserais. A saffron note and geranium meet to compose the top note of this woody and leathery accord. Cedar and very green rose deeply combine, exuding an unprecedented fresh and warm fragrance. A sense of enchantment is then created by a leather note paired with the strength of gaiac wood. Finally, the smooth and dry amber accord reveals a precious facet of this fragrance, which is strong, sensual and sacred in one.
After amethyst for Ambre Ăternel and black for Santal Royal, Oud Essentiel shines in a refined green bottle adorned with a luminous label reminiscent of the wooden lattices of the Middle East, set off with an elegant green and golden ribbon.
About Guerlain
Since 1828, Guerlain has explored, innovated and perfected their fragrances, skincare products and makeup. Guerlain are daring creators, producing mythical creations with timeless know-how. A âCulture of Beautyâ is its signature. During the II French Empire, Guerlain was a purveyor to the Imperial Court under NapolĂ©on III.
Each day Guerlain makes women, all women, feel more beautiful and appreciate their inner and outer beauty. The promise of joyful, radiant beauty is an ethos epitomized by an extraordinary place: Maison Guerlain at 68, Champs-Elysées, Paris, France.
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About Gallery 21
Gallery 21, located in the heart of the fashionable Adliya district in the Kingdom of Bahrain, provides the perfect excuse to indulge in art, food and urban leisure. Experience the excitement of the 2,600 square meter architectural marvel, a haven for both locals and visitors, with three dining options, an Art gallery and florist, there is something for every palate.
Guests can experience Gallery CafĂ©, open daily offering a spectrum on freshly baked pastries and international favorites, alongside the renowned, high energy, Chino-Latino restaurant Asia de Cuba, set to be a pinnacle in Bahrainâs dining scene; Gallery 21 is also home to Genwa, its stunning lounge and cigar lounge, as well as the rooftop bar. Â
Let the endless appeal of Gallery 21 awaken your senses the moment you arrive at its doorstep.
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Pictures by Gallery 21Â
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