Arusha, 7 April 2017– As people around the world pause today to remember and commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) expresses its sorrow and sympathy for the victims, survivors and the Rwandan people.
In just 100 days, hundreds of thousands of innocents were senselessly murdered, tortured, raped and forced to flee their homes. These atrocities were directed by a government that sought to destroy its citizens. The perpetrators, who should have protected the people, instead attacked and victimized the most vulnerable.
Remembering and honoring the victims is not simply about the past, but the present and future. Today, genocide denial, in all its forms and manifestations, must be confronted and rejected. Education is urgently needed to show the dangers in ideologies of discrimination, division and hate that can lead to genocide.For the present and future, it is also essential that justice for the Rwandan Genocide continues. All those suspected of individual criminal responsibility for crimes committed during the Rwandan Genocide must be fairly prosecuted and judged. While the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda secured 61 convictions, including senior political and military leaders, eight fugitives indicted by the ICTR and MICT still remain at large, while Rwandan authorities are seeking the arrests of hundreds more.It is now the responsibility of the MICT OTP to see that those eight fugitives are brought to justice, while supporting the efforts of our Rwandan colleagues to locate other suspected genocidaires remaining at large.Speaking about the importance of the search for the remaining eight MICT fugitives, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz today commented: My Office is committed to locating, arresting and bringing the fugitives to justice. Felicien Kabuga, Protais Mpiranya, Augustin Bizimana and the other fugitives must stand before a court of law and be judged for the crimes committed. So long as these fugitives remain at large, the victims and survivors will not have the justice they seek and deserve.The challenges are significant. I call on all States in the region and the international community to fully support our efforts and provide all necessary assistance. I particularly welcome the strong support and full cooperation offered by Rwandan authorities. Working together, we can deny these fugitives safe haven and shut down their support networks.
“Welcome to Loosduinen” walking tour and lecture, The Hague Bridge special event at the city district Loosduinen.
The Hague Bridge organised last week a walking tour through Ockenburg Estate ending at Kijkduin beach resort. Saskia Bruines, the Alderman of Loosduinen , friendly welcomed the group followed right after by a beautiful walk from Ockenburg.
For additional Robert Huiberts’ pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678938624334Lecture by Willem Post on the dynamics of Kijkduin and the 13th century legendary Wonder of Margaretha of Henneberg.
In Kijkduin a lecture about the history of the former village Loosduinen and the 13th century legendary Wonder of Margaretha of Henneberg was held by Willem Post.
Willem Post and ‘Margaretha of Henneberg’.
About The Hague Bridge
The Hague Bridge is a programme of the Municipality of The Hague. The Hague Bridge organises events to bring together locals and internationals, promote The Hague as the International City of Peace & Justice, and encourage city pride among the residents of The Hague.
Start walking tour from Ockenburg Estate to Kijkduin
This event is organised together with Den Haag Greeters, Hanneke Bessling (Licht op Loosduinen) and the Arie Molenkamp Stichting. The lecture is linked to the musical “The Wonder of Margaretha and the Birth of The Hague”, which will take place on 12, 13, 19 and 20 May in the Abdijkerk of Loosduinen (Dutch only). More information about this production can be found on http://lichtoploosduinen.nl/theater/.
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Pictures by Robert Robert Huiberts.
In the middle of the busy city of The Hague, the 17th century ‘hof’ is a haven of peace. The almshouses are arranged around a courtyard garden with citrus and pear trees. Rarely open to the public you can come to enjoy the blossoming fruit treas.
In our new greenhouse the citrus fruit trees are starting to blossom. It smells delicious! Our volunteers will explain the new produce that is coming up in the vegetable garden.
During this afternoon you can have coffee, tea or other refreshments on our covered terrace. All the proceeds will go to the maintenance of our garden.
Spring in the Hof Van Wouw on Wednesday April 12th.
From 1400-1600 hrs in the garden of the Hesperides, Hof van Wouw
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Back-to-back activities were held in one day, to bid farewell to the Ambassador of Kenya, H.E Rose Makena Muchiri. It all started with a luncheon hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday 30 March 2017.
For pictures during the lunch, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157679021096853
Thereafter, a Ceremony of Merit was hosted by Diplomat Magazine to honor the distinguished, Ambassador Muchiri. These were concluded with a farewell reception organized by the Embassy of Kenya in the Netherlands.
Ambassador of Kenya’s Ceremony of Merit and Farewell reception, by Leo van der Velde AD Dutch Diplomatic News.For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157682178062856H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, during his brilliant and touching speech.
At the luncheon, the acting Director for Sub-Saharan Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Robert-Jan Slegert, thanked parting Ambassador Muchiri for her remarkable contribution as well as her leadership in the bilateral relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Kenya, which has yielded strong economic ties.
As for the multilateral relations, Ambassador Muchiri also performed very well even though the odds were sometimes stacked against her. Slegert dwelt on the phenomena of a Dutch approach: combining Aid and Trade and Working together for effective private sector development.
It is in fact adapting to a new economic reality in which the private sector has a crucial role to play. Kenya gladly grabbed this idea and Ambassador Muchiri enthusiastically put in efforts to make it a success.
H.E. Mrs. Irene F. M. Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania, H.E. Mrs Rose Makena Murichi, Ambassdor of Kenya, , H.E. Ms. Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Ms. Andrea Gustović-Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia, H.E. Ms. Dziunik Aghajanian, Ambassador of Armenia, H.E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile, H.E. Mrs. Ilze Ruse, Ambassador of Latvia, H.E. Ms. Mirjam Blaak Sow, Ambassador of Uganda, H.E. Bruse Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa, H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki , Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Dimitris Iliopoulos, Ambassador of the EU, H. E. Elyes Ghariani, Ambassador of Tunisia, Ms. Doris Brese, Charge d’Affaires ai of Ghana.
For instance, Kenya grows flowers that make up 38% of the Dutch flower market. Apart from the Ambassadors, also present at the luncheon was the technical director of the Friesian, Mr. Martin de Jong who recounted his encouraging positive experience of doing business in Kenya.
At the Ceremony of Merit organized by Diplomat Magazine, H.E. Rose M. Muchiri was presented with a Certificate of Merit as a token of appreciation. The certificate of merit is Diplomat Magazine’s official recognition to parting ambassadors in appreciation for their outstanding contribution in enhancing the bilateral ties between their countries and the kingdom of the Netherlands; not forgetting gratitude for their support to the Diplomatic Community and Diplomat Magazine.
H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia , H.E. Mr. Per Holmström, Ambassador of Sweden and H.E. Ms. Mirjam Blaak Sow, Ambassador of Uganda.
The guest speaker at the ceremony was H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda, who recognized the Ambassador Muchiri for the mark she will be leaving behind as a valued personal friend. Karabaranga expressed his appreciation for the way in which Ambassador Muchiri led the ASfrica Group at the OPCW.
The last component of the Kenyan-style valediction was a tremendous reception hosted by the Kenyan Diplomatic Mission in the Netherlands. A large turnout, consisting of fellow ambassadors from as far as Brussels, all came to the Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague to say asante (thanks) to their parting colleague and friend. Among the guests were also judges from the various international tribunals, the president of OPCW, civil servants, and many others.
Pictured ICC Judge Sanji Monangeng , H.E. Ambassador Rose Makena Murichi, ICC Judge Joyce Aluoch , Judge Rachel Irura from Special Tribunal for Lebanon, standing Behind Judge Aluoch are Judged Daniel Nsereko from Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Judge Peter Kovacs from ICC.
H.E. Rose M. Muchiri will be returning to her beloved country, Kenya, to take up a position in a UN entity in Nairobi. We wish Ambassador Muchiri all the best in the new phase of her diplomatic career.
Ambassador Murichi receiving flowers from Ms Catherine van der Loos, from Diplomat Magazine.
ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi and Argentinian President H.E. Mauricio Macri.
On 28 March 2017, H.E. Mauricio Macri, President of the Argentine Republic, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) to meet with the President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, and the Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
President Fernández expressed the Court’s gratitude to President Macri for his visit, stating: “As a permanent court of last resort, the ICC plays a key role in global efforts to fight impunity for the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and ensure justice for victims, including through reparations for the harm suffered. At a time when the Court is achieving important results in its judicial work but also facing many challenges, the support of Argentina and all other States Parties is extremely important for the continued efforts to strengthen global justice and the rule of law.”
President Macri reaffirmed “Argentina’s strong commitment to the ICC aiming to protect the victims of the most serious crimes of international concern”. He added that “Argentina advocates for strengthening the mandate of the Court and the universality and integrity of the Rome Statute”. President Macri also confirmed that “Argentina is committed to promote international law and justice in order to achieve a most peaceful world in the 21st Century”.
The visit of President Macri to the ICC highlights Argentina’s support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole.
6 April 2017, De Nieuwe Regentes, The HagueBorn in Valencia in 1962 Sambeat has become one of Spain’s great jazz musicians and has been recognized internationally. He has received for example the North Sea Jazz’s Bird Award in 2003. Sambeat has collaborated with renowned artists such as Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lee Konitz and Joe Chambers. Throughout his career he has tried to link jazz and flamenco as can be seen, for example, in the Flamenco Big Band album he made together with Miguel Poveda and Javier Colina.
The Dutch Rembrandt Frerichs Trio consists of pianist Rembrandt Frerichs, bassist Tony Overdewater and percussionist Vinsent Planjer. They have been performing on concert stages in the Netherlands, Europe and the Middle East for over 12. Rembrandt’s seventh album A Long Story Short was presented in the Royal Concert Hall in Amsterdam in 2014.
The concert will take place at 08.15 pm in De Nieuwe Regentes, an old swimming pool located in The Hague that has been reconverted into a theatre in 1996.
More information can be found at the website of De Nieuwe Regentes and Perico Sambeat.
On 3 April 2017, the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) has launched an interactive free SMS platform designed to give victims, the communities affected by the crimes alleged in the case of Mr Dominic Ongwen, and the general population of Uganda, the opportunity to follow the proceedings before the Court. “The mobile technology and SMS platform enhances and complements the work of the multidisciplinary Registry’s team in the country having the potential to reach a wide population with adequate and timely information. An open dialogue and deep understanding of the judicial developments before the ICC are key to ensure effectiveness of the victims’ rights and of the ICC proceedings,” said Mr Herman Von Hebel, the Registrar of the Court. The introduction in Uganda of this platform developed in cooperation with the Canadian NGO “Peace Geeks’’ deepens the dialogue between Ugandan population and the representatives of the ICC who started the outreach initiatives since 2006. The platform will enable subscribers to receive and respond in three languages, Acholi, Ateso and English to regular public information at no cost. As an international rather than national or local court, the ICC is not on the doorstep of those most affected by the cases it hears. The Court therefore strives to bridge the distance between the Court and these communities and to make its proceedings accessible to them. In addition to communities affected by alleged crimes, the Court engages with local media as well as legal and academic communities. The Court also works with local intermediaries, particularly civil society groups such as NGOs, who support its activities in the field and strengthen the Court’s capacity to engage with communities affected by crimes.
Juan Patricio Navarro, Director of ProEcuador in the Netherlands announced the 6th edition of Macrorrueda from 6 to 7 June 2017 in the city of Guayaquil. Macrorrueda 2017 it will gather more than +500 local exporters interacting with 170 buyers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, supermarkets, hypermarkets and retailers from 31 countries.
‘Join us and have the opportunity to meet exporters/producers of exotic fruits, Andean superfoods, banana, textile, apparel, metalworking, tourism, coffee, pharmaceutical, crafts, fishery, aquaculture, flowers, processed foods, automotive, services, cocoa and cacao-processed products, plastics, and more.’ He said.
To see the event´s brochure, click the link below or visit our website www.proecuadorb2b.com.echttps://issuu.com/pro-ecuador/docs/brochure_macrorrueda_ecuador_2017
Tuesday 4 – Wednesday 5 April: Brussels Conference “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region”
The European Union will host, in Brussels, on 4-5 April, the “Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region”, co-chaired with the United Nations and with the governments of Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar and the United Kingdom.
The conference, which will be held at ministerial level, will bring together over 70 countries, international organisations and civil society.
The conference will seek to: assess where the international community stands collectively in fulfilling commitments made at the London conference in February 2016, reconfirm existing pledges and identify additional support to Syrian inside Syria and in the neighbouring countries, as well as to the respective host communities; boost support for a lasting political resolution to the Syrian conflict through an inclusive and Syrian-led political transition process under the UN auspice, and consider the prospects for post-agreement assistance once a genuinely inclusive political transition is firmly underway.
The Brussels Conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region builds on the London Conference on Supporting Syria and the region of 4 February 2016. One year ago, the international community convened in London under the leadership of the United Kingdom, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and the United Nations, reaffirming its solidarity with millions of vulnerable people living in Syria and Syrian refugees and affected host communities in the region, and building on the commitments made at the three previous pledging conferences in Kuwait from 2013-15.
At the London Conference, the donor community pledged significant financial support for humanitarian assistance and protection in Syria, as well as civilian stabilisation measures to strengthen resilience in host communities. It also reiterated that there can only be a political solution to the crisis, within the existing agreed UN framework and based on the Geneva Communiqué and UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The London Conference concluded with commitments from both the international community and Syria’s neighbours to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of those affected by the crisis, including further support for education and livelihood opportunities for Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.
The event:
Thematic sessions will be held at the Residence Palace building on the 4th, from 8:30 until 19h. Proceedings on the 5th will take place at the Europa building, from 7:30 to 18h30.
The full programme is available on the Conference website.
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Syria, photography by EC.
On 3 April 2017, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, concluded an official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government. During her visit, President Fernández met with Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and thanked him for Japan’s commitment to the rule of law and its strong support of the International Criminal Court.
President Fernández also met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi, Vice Minister of Justice Hiromu Kurokawa and Prosecutor General Katsuyuki Nishikawa, and gave a lecture at the University of Tokyo, where she engaged in dialogue with experts on international law.
During her meetings with government officials, the ICC President reiterated the Court’s gratitude for Japan’s political and financial support as well as its contribution to the judicial and institutional development of the ICC. The President noted the high number of non-States Parties remaining in the Asia-Pacific region, and thanked Japan for its commitment to enhance awareness in the region of the ICC’s work, and to encourage ratification of the Rome Statute.
After this visit, the President will travel to the Republic of Korea to participate in the ICC’s eighth high-level regional Seminar on cooperation on the theme “The ICC and Asia: the joint quest for justice, accountability and prevention”, aimed at enhancing dialogue and cooperation as well as encouraging greater participation of Asian States in the ICC.
Japan deposited its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute on 17 July 2007. Out of the 124 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 19 are Asia-Pacific States.
