H.E. Ambassador Mr. Hamid Ali Rao and Mr.Karomiddin Gadoev, Charge d’Affaires a.i of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.   By A. Rangarajan. A colourful Navruz reception was hosted at the OPCW premises on Thursday, 23rd March 2017. Navruz, signifies the “Festival of Spring, Renewal and Peace in Uzbekistan”. It also marks the beginning of the new year. The reception was jointly hosted by The Charge d’Affaires a.i of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Karomiddin Gadoev and the Deputy Director-General of OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Hamid Ali Rao. Speaking first and welcoming the audience, Mr. Rao drew attention of the audience to the fact that India, his country, was home to several traditions and all festivals were celebrated with much gaiety and Navruz was one of them. Mr. Hamid Ali Rao described the work of OPCW as something more than disarmament- it was a commitment to peace. He asked all countries, on the occasion of Navruz renewal, to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He further added, “As Navruz transcends borders, interests, and religious divides,our common commitment to peace must prevail, and unite us in our common humanity”. Mr Rao recalled his younger days when he looked forward to the Navruz feast. For additional Robert Huiberts’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157679818624131

Greeting the audience peace next, Mr. Gadoev found it befitting that the reception was held in the OPCW as on the occasion of Navruz, he was happy to point to the importance of peace and the work of OPCW in removing chemical weapons from the face of the earth. He also pointed out that in a short span of time Uzbekistan was set on the road to prosperity and development. Mr. Gadoev pointed to the fact that in 2009 Navruz was included into the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World. The UN acknowledges that this feast promotes the values of peace and solidarity, reconciliation and good-neighbourhood. In February 2010 the 64th session of the UN General Assembly declared 21 March as “International Day of Navruz”, he added. While sharing the essence of Navruz is compassion, Mr. Gadoev said, “During the Navruz days any offence and quarrels are forgotten, and all the residents of our country – the old and the young –assemble around a plentiful table and with open souls strive to share the bliss of the holiday with their close ones and friends, wish everybody a good health, happiness and prosperity.The deep significance and essence of the holiday of Navruz is to underline the importance of living in harmony and friendship, show respect to each other and to elder people, render assistance to sick, lonely persons and orphans, without exception to all who is in need of care.”

  The brief speeches were followed by music and dance from Uzbekistan. Artistes performed their dances with much grace and rhythm and the audience seemed enthralled. The Uzbek musical instruments like the Doiera (drum), Tor (the stringed lute) and the Qayroq (castanets) made distinct folk music that were pleasing to the ears. Guests present were then treated to a sumptuous dinner buffet, drawing from Uzbek cuisine. The Pulav and the stuffed breads were part of an authentic spread which transported people, at least gastronomically to the Uzbek countryside.

More music and merry dancing by artistes and guests in traditional clothing brought a pleasant evening to a close.

Pictured, H.E. Mr. Adam M.J. Sadiq, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal , Ambassador of Bangladesh, Ms Abir Ali, Chargé d’affair of Lebanon,  H.E. Andrea Gustovic Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia , H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo, , H.E. Mr. Ahmad Nazri Yusof, Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India,  H.E. Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Konstantine Surguladze, Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia and Roy Lie A Tjam, Diplomat Magazine.   By Joe Ray. Senior diplomats from more than a dozen countries gathered at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague on 9 March for a special Meet and Greet organised by Diplomat Magazine. For additional Robert Huibert’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157681730054915

Among the attendees were the heads of mission of Bangladesh, Croatia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka and Venezuela, along with representatives from the Russian and US embassies and selected international organisations including the OPCW and ICMP.

Diplomat Magazine’s famed Meet and Greets are usually arranged in conjunction with a Hague- or Brussels-based embassy, giving the country’s representatives an opportunity to promote their food, culture, and trade and tourist links with the Netherlands. On this occasion, however, it was decided that the time was right for a special diplomats-only edition without the formal participation of any one embassy.

Diplomat Magazine’s mission has always been to offer an inclusive platform for the diplomatic corps in The Hague. At a time of political uncertainty in the Netherlands and beyond, the magazine is delighted to be able to continue offering this unique service to the diverse and vibrant diplomatic community in the International City of Peace and Justice.

As one ambassador remarked after the event: “There was a very friendly vibe, the music was fantastic and I had the opportunity to get together with a few friends. Everyone had a good time. Let me know when the next one is!”

Arusha, 21 March 2017 -The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (“MICT” or “Mechanism”) received a delegation of Judges’ Assistants from the Judiciary of the United Republic of Tanzania at the Mechanism’s Arusha Branch premises on Friday, 17 March 2017. The visit was part of a 3-day training programme on the drafting of legal documents and legal research facilitated by JEYAX Development and Training, a non-governmental institution.  Representatives of the Mechanism’s President, Prosecutor and Registrar welcomed the Judges’ Assistants and briefed the delegation on the mandates and functions of the Mechanism and the roles and responsibilities of their respective organs, in order to give the participants a full understanding of the work of the Mechanism mandated by the UN Security Council. The visit also gave the attendees the opportunity to pose diverse questions and discuss an array of issues, including the modalities of transfer of cases to national jurisdictions, the protection of witnesses and challenges faced in this context, management and preservation of archives over the long term, and enforcement of sentences. Ms. Jemima Njeri Kariri of JEYAX Development and Training expressed gratitude for the delegation’s opportunity to engage with the Mechanism and applauded the work carried out by the MICT. She also encouraged further knowledge-sharing programmes between the MICT and other judiciaries to enhance and promote the understanding and application of International Criminal Law in the region. The Judges’ Assistants concluded their visit with a tour of the Mechanism’s premises in Arusha.      

Pictured Alan Stephens, Director of Research of the Clemens Nathan Research Centre, London. By A. Rangarajan. The sixth Shabtai Rosenne Memorial lecture was held at the Peace Palace Academy Building on the 20^th of March 2017. The Lecture was delivered by Dr. Tal Becker, Legal adviser, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was followed by a panel discussion with eminent luminaries taking part in it. H.E. Judge Julia Sebutinde, H.E Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis and Professor Malcolm N. Shaw QC were on the panel. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678278193404 H.E. Judge Julia Sebutinde is a sitting Judge of the International court of Justice since 2012, H.E Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis has been the Greek-Cypriot community representative and negotiator since 2013 on the Cyprus problem and Professor Malcom N. Shaw QC is a practicing Barrister of international repute on various aspects of International Law. This was followed by the release of the 5^th edition of the Rosenne’s Law and Practice of the International Court: 1920-2015. The first copies of the 4 volume edition were presented to the President of the ICJ H.E. Judge Ronny Abraham by Professor Malcolm N. Shaw QC. All speakers paid rich tributes to late Professor Shabtai Rosenne for his contribution to the theory and practice International Law. Rosenne was not only a distinguished lawyer, he was an able diplomat as well.

The Proceedings were opened by Jeroen Vervliet, Director of the Peace Palace library and were chaired by Alan Stephens, Director of Research of the Clemens Nathan Research Centre, London. H.E. Ambassador Aviv Shir-On, the Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands, gave the closing words of the evening.

The well attended lecture had several dignitaries present in the audience. Daniel and Sippy from the Rosenne family, President of the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals- President Theodor Meron, Judges of the International Court of Justice – Vice-President H.E. Judge Ahmed Yusuf & H.E. Judge Pete Tomka, H.E. Judge Fausto Pocar- from the International Court for the Former Yugoslavia, Head of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy for International Law- Prof. Yves Daudet, Secretary General of the PCA- Hugo Siblesz and Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court- Mr. James Stewart were present. Ambassadors from Chile, Cyprus, Canada, Cameroon and the Philippines were in the audience as well.    

On the picture Ugandan Ambassador Mirjam Blaak greeting Ambassador Dillum Haymandoyal (Mauritius to the EU, ACP Group and Benelux countries) and spouse. 13 March 2017, Residence of Mauritius in Brussels:  HE Ambassador Dillum Haymandoyal hosted a reception commemorating the 49th anniversary of independence of his country, and 25th anniversary as a republic. 

Independence Day, is marked yearly on 12 March  highlighting the 1968’s adoption of a constitution in Mauritius as well as the end of British colonial rule. Officially the country became at the time a Commonwealth realm sharing HM Queen Elizabeth II as “Queen of Mauritius” until 1992, when a republic was proclaimed. The country itself is named after German-Dutch prince, Maurits of Nassau (Moritz von Nassau), Governor of the Dutch Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Gelre, Overijssel, Groningen and Drenthe. In Latin his name was Mauritius, hence the name of the islands colonised by the Dutch in 1598. 

During his short allocution Ambassador Haymandoyal thanked the presence of his Ethiopian counterpart, HE Teshome Toga Chanaka, Chairman of the African, Caribbean and South Pacific (ACP) Group of States’ Committee of Ambassadors. Ambassador Haymandoyal brought attention to his country’s golden jubilee of independence to be celebrated in 2018. 

For further information: Missions of Mauritius to the EU, the OPCW, the ACP Group and the Benelux countries: http://www1.govmu.org/portal/sites/mfamission/brussels/index.htm Government of Mauritius: http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/A-series-of-activities-organised-to-mark-National-Day-Celebrations.aspx