On the 8th of June, the law firm Burenhosted a seminar for embassies at the Crown Plaza in The Hague. Numerous heads of mission and representatives of embassies attended the session.
Founded in 1898, Buren is a well-established, internationally operating law firm with offices in The Hague, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Beijing and Shanghai. The firm has more than 70 attorneys, notaries and international tax advisors providing a full range of services to domestic and international clients who conduct business nationally and globally.
Located prominently in The Hague’s diplomatic quarter, Buren has established long-term relationships with a large number of diplomatic missions and international institutions. In order to cater the needs of its diplomatic clients and their referrals, Buren has established a dedicated Diplomat Desk. Staffed by professionals of different nationalities, speaking seven different languages, the Diplomat Desk acts as a one-stop-shop for any legal needs diplomatic clients and their referrals may have.
The objective of the seminar was to inform embassies on a number of common legal topics they may encounter.
The seminar was opened and led by Buren’s senior partner Mr. Steven van der Waal, who gave an introduction on Buren and provided some inside-information about working and living in the Netherlands.
The first speaker, Dr.Machiko Kanetake, focused on diplomatic law and more in particular on matters of jurisdiction and immunities. Dr. Kanetake is assistant-professor in diplomatic law at Utrecht University. Her presentation provided an overview of this field of law and an update on relevant case-law.
Mrs. Suzan van de Kam presented labour law issues that embassies may come across when hiring local staff. The presentation outlined the life-time of an employment relation, from recruitment through sick leaves, dismissal and pension.
Matters of Dutch real estate law were presented by Mr. Jonathan Gal, who focused on the acquisition of property and on rental agreements, as well as on typical features of Dutch contract law.
The presentations were followed by a number of questions from the audience, mostly relating to labour law and rental agreements. Buren informed to follow-up on this seminar after summer with more subject-concentrated gatherings. Overall seminars are organized on an annual basis. But the attendants were cordially invited to contact Buren for any specific legal questions they might have in the meantime.
The seminar was followed by an informal get-together, which enabled a further exchange of experiences and thoughts in the various fields of law.
H.E. Odette Melono, Ambassador of Cameroon to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Cameroonian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Her Excellency Mrs. Odette Melono recently hosted a Diplomatic reception in the Netherlands to commemorate Cameroon’s 45th National Day.
The reception took place on May 22, 2017 at the Marriott Hotel in The Hague. The guests list was made up of several international Ambassadors and Diplomats representing Diplomatic missions in the Netherlands; Dutch business personalities and representatives of NGO’s trading with Cameroon; Dutch Government officials; as well as a number of invited Cameroonians.
The reception which lasted from 17:00 – 19:00 pm was characterized by a word of welcome by H.E Mrs. Melono; meet and greet sessions and spiced with a rich buffet of a long list of typically Cameroonian dishes.
According to the Cameroonian Embassy, the presence of guests from other nations was an appreciated show of support for the nation of Cameroon.
In this light H.E Ambassador Odette Melono has expressed thanks to all individuals and representatives of diplomatic missions and organizations that came.
Among guests, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia H.E. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, H.E. Iffat Imran Gardezi, Ambassador of Pakistan and the Ambassador of The Sudan H.E. Rahma Salih Elobieb.
The reception marked Cameroon’s 45th edition of her National day which is celebrated on the 20th of May annually. It was celebrated with a beautiful Cake designed with all the official colours of Cameroon.
The Question of the Malvinas Islands: The international community renews its support for the resumption of negotiations on sovereignty
The General Assembly of the Organization of American States and the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization reiterated their call for the resumption of negotiations in order to find a peaceful solution to the Question of the Malvinas Islands.
Last 21 June, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted by acclamation a new Declaration on the Question of the Malvinas Islands. In this Declaration, the OAS reaffirmed that the Question of the Malvinas Islands is a matter of enduring hemispheric concern and reiterated the need for the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom to resume, as soon as possible, negotiations on the sovereignty dispute, in order to find a peaceful solution to this protracted controversy.
The OAS Member States also expressed their satisfaction at the reaffirmation of the will of the Argentine Government to continue exploring all possible avenues towards a peaceful settlement of the dispute and its constructive approach towards the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands.
Foreign Minister, Jorge Faurie headed the Argentine delegation and, in his address, reasserted Argentina’s claim for the full exercise of its legitimate sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, and reaffirmed the Argentine Government’s firm will to resume negotiations with the United Kingdom in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the dispute, respecting the way of life of the inhabitants of the Islands and in accordance with the Argentine Constitution and United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 2065 (XX).
Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands participate at the United Nations Public Service Forum
La Haya (jun. 23/17).The Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands participated at the United Nations Public Service Forum: “The Future is now- Accelerating Public Service Innovation for the 2030 Agenda”, and was present at the Awards ceremony held on 22 and 23 June in The Hague.
The aim of the United Nations Forum was to inform and inspire public servants from all around the world, as well as to offer real practical solutions that help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The United Nations Public Service Award is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of worldwide public institutions leads towards a more effective and responsible public administration.
During the ceremony, The “Contraloría General de Medellín” was awarded in the “Promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in the public service” category, and the Cundinamarca Government won in the “Innovation and excellence in delivering health services” category. Colombia was the only country from all participant states that received two awards, which recognized the innovative ideas of Colombian public servants.
H.E. Ambassador Juan José Quintana was present at the Awards ceremony and congratulated the Colombian delegation, composed by public servants from the Civil Service Administrative Office and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
On the picture Mr Mark Verheul, Chief of Protocol, City of The Hague.
Last Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16th of July, Musicon and Grote Markt presented the 8th edition of this internationally orientated music festival in Popdistrict, the musical heart of The Hague.
Every year the festival is a success, due to its formula of a laid back vibe combined with new musical discoveries from all corners of the world. Summertime Festival is free of charge and takes place on a vintage merry-go-round stage at the Grote Markt square. One of the perks: all music can be enjoyed from the terrace, but of course people got up and danced.
For wonderful Hester Disjstra’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157684249309444
The line up ranged from free jazz, fado & cumbia to classical music, dreamy indiepop, funk and cross-overs between styles. This year’s programme had some big names like the extra large jazz/funk band The New Cool Collective, multivocal rock songs by Bells of Youth and jazz impro icons Han Bennink and Guus Janssen.
People danced to the music of the red hot cumbia of Mamihlapinatapai and klezmer/balkan party band L’chaim. But the festival also showcased new classical talent from the Prinses Christina Concours and collaborations between popular artists from The Hague’s vibrant international jazz scene.
The Festival aims to reveal a beautiful but often hidden aspect of the city: the blooming community of international musicians.
To show this cultural abundance and to get the audience acquainted with these musicians, who have roots in numerous countries, is the ambition of the festival.
This results in a line up that is quite different from the usual pop and rock acts and makes Summertime a special treat.
Dutch government renews partnership with IRC in support of the Sustainable Development Goal for water and sanitation.THE HAGUE, 18 July 2017 – The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed its commitment to IRC and will contribute 4.8 million euros (US$ 5.45 million) to further finance IRC’s programmatic aims over the next five years.DGIS has agreed to continue its support to IRC for another five years. IRC fulfils an instrumental role in achieving the Dutch commitment to provide sustainable access to clean drinking water to 30 million people and sanitation and hygiene to 50 million people during the period 2015-2030. ” We consider IRC a global leader in supporting governments, organisations and community leaders in realising sustainable WASH services.” Karin Roelofs, Head Water Unit at DGIS.Over the past five years the Ministry supported IRC’s service delivery approach to ensure sustainable WASH services. In that period IRC developed a suite of tools to assess the sustainability of WASH programmes funded by the Ministry.The Dutch Government has set an ambitious target for 2030, as contained in its WASH Strategy 2016-30. It has committed to delivering (for at least 15 years but ideally indefinitely) sustainable, universal and equitable access to drinking water for 30 million people, and sanitation for 50 million people. IRC is a key partner in helping to achieve this goal.IRC will use the new funding from the Ministry to support its 14-year Strategic Framework covering the period 2017-30. This framework focuses on the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to WASH. Core to IRC’s new strategy is the developing of national and local systems, made up of infrastructure, people, institutions and finance. The activities supported by the Ministry include knowledge management, advocacy, communication and innovation work in its six focus countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, India and Uganda.The core of IRC’s contribution to the SDGs takes place through country and district programmes coordinated by national networks or partnership “hubs”. The Ministry’s contribution will specifically support this hub function, which is otherwise difficult or nearly impossible to fund from the market.Another difficult to fund activity that the Ministry supports is strengthening civil society through its innovative ‘Dialogue and Dissent’ programme. Within this programme, IRC leads the strategic partnership ‘Watershed – empowering citizens’, linking WASH and water resources.In 2018 IRC celebrates its 50th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1968, the Dutch government has supported IRC, initially as its main funder but increasingly as a strategic partner.
———-
Photo: Petra Brussee/IRC
Statement of the Office of the Prosecutor regarding recent visit of the Prosecutor to Doha, Qatar
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), H.E. Mrs Fatou Bensouda undertook a private visit to Doha, Qatar on the weekend of 8-9 of July 2017. Notwithstanding the fact that the ICC Office of the Prosecutor promptly provided ample clarifications to the media regarding the visit, the matter continues to generate public and media speculation.
In the interests of clarifying the public record, the Office of Prosecutor of the ICC confirms that the Prosecutor was recently in Doha on the weekend of 8th of July on a private visit. During her stay in Doha, the Prosecutor was approached and ultimately held courtesy meetings with Qatari officials at their request on Sunday, the 9th of July.
During the said meetings, the Prosecutor and the authorities discussed cooperation between the State of Qatar and her Office, and raising awareness about international criminal justice and international humanitarian law, generally. At no time did the Prosecutor express a position on the current situation in the sub-region. The Prosecutor does not comment on political matters or any other matter unrelated to her mandate whether in this or any other situation, as per her consistent practice and that of the Office.
As a general remark, the Prosecutor and her Office act independently and impartially in the exercise of the ICC’s prescribed mandate strictly as set by the Rome Statute.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.Professor John Dugard, is an International law scholar, teacher, and Judge. Just hours before the annual mega French National Day reception, His Excellency Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South-Africa, hosted the launching of the book The Pursuit of a Brave New World in International Law, Essays in honor of John Dugard at his residence on 14 July 2017.
After his welcome remarks, Ambassador Koloane introduced Professor Dire Tladi, a professor of International law at the University of Pretoria. Professor Dire Tladi is also co-editor of the book. The Honoree professor John Dugard subsequently delivered his remarks.
The Pursuit of a Brave New World in International Law, Essays in honor of John Dugard, the subject of the book is International Law. Defacto, the book is a testament to the enduring contributions John Dugard has made to international law and international human rights law.
Furthermore, the book presents critical perspectives on various inter-related themes in the areas of terrorism and international criminal justice. Contributors to the book are, Maurice Kamto, Tiyanjana Maluwa, Max du Plessis, Dire Tladi, Annemarieke Vermeer- Abdulqawi Yusuf, just to mention a few.
Among the guests present during the launching event were a group of Diplomats, (former) International Judges, Dutch officials Professor Dire Tladi, Tiyanjana Maluwa and others.
A cocktail concluded the event.
Matters of Dutch real estate law were presented by Mr. Jonathan Gal, who focused on the acquisition of property and on rental agreements, as well as on typical features of Dutch contract law.
The presentations were followed by a number of questions from the audience, mostly relating to labour law and rental agreements. Buren informed to follow-up on this seminar after summer with more subject-concentrated gatherings. Overall seminars are organized on an annual basis. But the attendants were cordially invited to contact Buren for any specific legal questions they might have in the meantime.
The seminar was followed by an informal get-together, which enabled a further exchange of experiences and thoughts in the various fields of law. 
The reception which lasted from 17:00 – 19:00 pm was characterized by a word of welcome by H.E Mrs. Melono; meet and greet sessions and spiced with a rich buffet of a long list of typically Cameroonian dishes.
According to the Cameroonian Embassy, the presence of guests from other nations was an appreciated show of support for the nation of Cameroon.
In this light H.E Ambassador Odette Melono has expressed thanks to all individuals and representatives of diplomatic missions and organizations that came.
The line up ranged from free jazz, fado & cumbia to classical music, dreamy indiepop, funk and cross-overs between styles. This year’s programme had some big names like the extra large jazz/funk band The New Cool Collective, multivocal rock songs by Bells of Youth and jazz impro icons Han Bennink and Guus Janssen.
People danced to the music of the red hot cumbia of Mamihlapinatapai and klezmer/balkan party band L’chaim. But the festival also showcased new classical talent from the Prinses Christina Concours and collaborations between popular artists from The Hague’s vibrant international jazz scene.
The Festival aims to reveal a beautiful but often hidden aspect of the city: the blooming community of international musicians.
To show this cultural abundance and to get the audience acquainted with these musicians, who have roots in numerous countries, is the ambition of the festival. 
This results in a line up that is quite different from the usual pop and rock acts and makes Summertime a special treat.
