The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, visits Ghana: “We must continue to work together to combat impunity”. On Wednesday, 24 May 2017, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mrs Fatou Bensouda concluded a two-day visit to Accra, Republic of Ghana.  The visit highlights the Prosecutor’s ongoing commitment to intensify engagement and dialogue with African States and relevant stakeholders, including African civil society and academia.  Prosecutor Bensouda began her visit with a meeting with the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Mr Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.  The Prosecutor thanked President   Akufo-Addo for Ghana’s long-standing support for the Court, and underscored the critical importance of State cooperation. President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed Ghana’s support for the work of the Office of the Prosecutor and strong commitment to the ICC. During her visit, the Prosecutor also  met with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Ghana, H.E. Ms Gloria Akuffo, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, including the Director of Public Prosecutions and Solicitor General.  The visit also presented the Prosecutor with the opportunity to meet with Ambassadors from States Parties to the Rome Statute and civil society representatives, as well to engage with the media. During these meetings, Prosecutor Bensouda highlighted, in particular, the work of her Office in combating impunity for sexual and gender-based crimes as well as crimes against children. She recalled that in November 2016, her Office officially launched a Policy on Children to enable the Office to more robustly address atrocity crimes against and affecting children. “My Office devotes special attention to protecting women and children in time of war and conflict by ensuring that atrocity crimes against them are effectively investigated and prosecuted. The challenges are many – and we cannot address them alone. At the local, regional and international levels, we must coordinate our efforts to maximize impact.”  On Wednesday, 24 May 2017, the Prosecutor officially launched the African Centre on International Criminal Justice, housed at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (“GIMPA”) in Accra. An initiative conceived during the Prosecutor’s visit to Accra in 2016, the African Centre on International Criminal Justice aims to create a platform for collaboration and scholarship on international criminal justice, and in particular, aims to enhance understanding of the work of the ICC. The Prosecutor, in her role as guest of honour, stated, “I am really honoured to take part in launching and celebrating the establishment of the African Centre on International Criminal Justice. As I often say, Africa has not only played a key role in the establishment of the ICC, but also in its development and the evolution of international criminal justice more generally. The establishment of the African Centre on International Criminal Justice at GIMPA is yet another important contribution to that legacy.”   The Prosecutor congratulated GIMPA for this important initiative and achievement. Prosecutor Bensouda also noted in her remarks that 25th of May 2017 was Africa Day. This year, the designated theme of Africa Day is: “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth.” In this context, the Prosecutor delivered special remarks to the youth, calling on them to utilize and contribute to developing the African Centre for International Criminal Justice, in order to enhance knowledge about international criminal justice across the continent.   The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecution of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Office has been conducting investigations in: Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic (two separate investigations); Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Georgia. The Office is also conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Afghanistan, Colombia, Guinea, Iraq/UK, Palestine, Nigeria, Ukraine, Burundi, Gabon and the registered vessels of Comoros, Greece and Cambodia.    

                          On the picture H.E.  Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran, voting at the Embassy premises in The Hague. The twelfth Presidential elections were held in Iran last Friday 19 May, 2017. The Iranian Embassy in The Hague organised local pools where Iranian expats exercised their voting rights overseas.

This is the first presidential elections taken place after the country signed the Nuclear Agreement 2015 (so called JCPOA) with 5+1. Millions of Iranians have voted inside and outside Iran. According to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in The  Netherlands, the number of voters doubled in Holland in comparison to 2013 presidential election.  

Pools’ results in The Hague showed President Hassan Rouhani as a clear winner for a second four-year mandate from a direct Iranian vote. H.E.  Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran sent a message to his Iranian compatriot, thanking them for their high turnout in the election. He reiterated that the message of this election in Iran’s foreign policy is the determination of Iran in deepening of relations with European Countries including The Netherlands.      

On the picture H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands. By Roy Lie A Tjam. On the invitation of the Latin American Table at the New Literature Society De Witte, H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands has delivered an expose on Friday 19 May 2017. An audience consisting of Diplomats, business people and other professionals attended the event.

Ambassador Ilyassov had chosen the theme ‘Discover the heart of Eurasia’. Kazakhstan is indeed in the heart of Eurasia. Magzhan Ilyassov holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Public Administration (2013) and a BA from Kazakh State University of World Languages and International Relations (1996). He is married with three children. Before coming to The Hague Ambassador, Magzhan Ilyassov held the position of Adviser to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Head of the Foreign Policy Center of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan(2013 – 2016). His Diplomatic rank is that of Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the II Class.

As of May 11, 2016, Magzhan Ilyassov is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Kazakhstan, not a country one can pinpoint it on the map or know about its history and current economic prosperity. However, Ambassador Magzhan Ilyassov discourse has been instrumental in bringing about some changes. His discourse has been visiting and a very revealing one.

Magzhan Ilyassov is a poised person; he captured the attention of the entire audience. It is as if Ambassador Magzhan Ilyassov had taken his audience on an enlightening excursion to the heart of Eurasia, Kazakhstan.

The Republic of Kazakhstan, a story that needs to be told! Sonia Meijer, chair of the Latin American Table could look back on a successful evening, certainly, it has been one of the highlights of 2017.

  —– Photography by Marta Costa, for Diplomat Magazine.

Second EU Day against impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity  and war crimes 

Today, hosted by the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU in Brussels, the second EU Day against Impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes was held, co-organised by the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the EU Network for investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes (the Genocide Network). The event’s emphasis was on stepping up collective action and cooperation within the European Union when fighting impunity. In attendance were practitioners, representatives from international criminal courts and tribunals, Member States, European institutions, international organisations and NGOs, academics and lawyers. The opening speech was delivered by the Ambassador of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union, H.E. Marlene Bonnici, who said:’‘The universal respect for human rights and the rule of law must be the bedrock in the fight against impunity. At the same time, we must continue to raise international awareness of the importance of prosecuting those who commit genocide and crimes against humanity to the fullest extent possible.’ In the keynote speech of the President of Eurojust, Ms Michèle Coninsx, she said: ‘Experience shows that fighting impunity for the most heinous international crimes requires close cooperation between States to close impunity gaps and bring criminals to justice. Eurojust is proud to have been entrusted with hosting and supporting the Genocide Network since its start, back in 2004. The network has contributed to successful prosecutions of perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture.’ The other keynote speech was delivered by the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Ms Věra Jourová, who said: ‘We cannot let crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide go unpunished. We have to put an end to impunity. The contributions by Eurojust and the Genocide Network are crucial to facilitate cooperation within the EU to better prosecute such crimes. ——– Photo © Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU    

On the picture Mrs. Tsolmon Jadamba, Ambassador’s spouse and H.E. Ambassador Mr. Och Od. By Roy Lie A Tjam. The new Ambassador of Mongolia to the Netherlands. H.E. Mr.Od Och, presented his credentials on Wednesday 17 May 2017 to HM King Willem Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Ambassador Och describes the ceremony as impressive. Ambassador Och is, therefore, Mongolia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Belgium-Luxembourg, and the European Union.

However, the Mongolian Embassy is located in Brussels Belgium. Ambassador Och envisages paying regular visits to The Hague in order to acquit himself of his bilateral- and multilateral obligations. The Netherlands and Mongolia are this year celebrating 45 years of Diplomatic relations. Before coming to The Hague his latest assignment was that of Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations, 2012 – 2016. Mr.Od Och also served as an Advisor to Mongolia’s Prime Minister. He has held various positions both within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as at foreign missions.

Mr. Och holds a Master’s degree in law, with a major in international criminal justice, from Kyushu University, Japan. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Mr.Och is married with two children. H.E. Mr Od Och, as Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the OPCW, presented his credentials to the Director-General, H.E. Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü on 17 May 2017.

 

On the picture, Professor Hector Olasolo during his speech, Peace Palace, The Hague. On Wednesday 31st May, the Opening Ceremony for the VI Ibero-American Week of International Justice will take place at the Peace Palace. H.E. Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court, H.E. Ambassador Sergio Ugalde, Vicepresident of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court, H.E. Ambassador Johan Van der Werff, Ambassador of the Netherlands to International Organisations, and Prof. Héctor Olasolo, Chairman of the Ibero-American Institute of The Hague for Peace, Human Rights and International Justice (IIH) will be the speakers of such an occassion.

Since 2011, the Ibero-American Week of International Justice is organised each year during the first ten days of June by the IIH. It has the the institutional support of the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the Hague Municipality, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the University of The Hague for Applied Sciences, the Grotious Center for International Studies, the TMC Asser Institute, the Hague Academic Coalition, the Embassies of several Ibero-American States, the General Ibero-American Secretariat, the Coalition for the ICC and a number of Ibero-American Universities and organisations. According to Prof. Hector Olasolo, IIH Chairman, “the aim of the Ibero-American Week is to create a space in which academics, international and national state officials, members of civil society, students, and the general public at large, coming from the countries in the Ibero-American region and the Netherlands, may exchange their views and initiatives on International Justice. Likewise, it aims to promote a deeper knowledge and a better understanding of Hague-based International Court, Tribunals and Organisations”. The Ibero-American Week is comprised of a number of events in Spanish, with some lectures in Portuguese, including a Moot Court on the International Criminal Court, an Essay Contest on International Justice, a Seminar on Ibero-American Thinking  on International Justice, a Research Group on the Ibero-American Epistemological Perspective on Justice, a guided tour to the historical buildings of the City of The Hague, and several visits to Hague-based International Courts, Tribunals and Organisations. Translation into English is provided for some of the activities.

On the occassion of its VII Edition, the I Polyphonic Day of International Justice, which will deal with issues concerning international law (private, public and criminal) with speakers from different geographic areas (Africa, Arab countries, China, Ibero-America, Iran and Russia), will take place at the Hague University for Applied Sciences (HHS). The I Polyphonic Day aims at bringing together and debating the views and perspectives of academics and professionals coming from the said geographic regions. As you can see in the attached Programme, the I Polyphonic Day on International Justice is organised by the Ibero-American Institute of The Hague (IIH) as part of the VII Ibero-American Week of International Justice, in partnership with a number of partners including the The HSS, The Hague Project for Peace and Justice of the Foreign Ministry of The Netherlands, the African Foundation for International Law, the Chinese Initiative on International Law (CIIL), the Center for International and Comparative Criminal Law of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Iranian Center for International Criminal Law, The United Nations University for Peace, the University of El Rosario (Colombia), the Hague Academic Coalition, the Coalition for the International Criminal Law, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Tirant lo Blanch Publishers, the International Law Student Association (ILSA) at the HHS and the Corax Student Association at the HHS.

The I Polyphonic Day will be hosted at the Aula  of the Hague University of Applied Sciences, located at Johanna Westerdijkplein 75 (just behind Holland Spoors Train Station), 2521 EN The Hague, on Wednesday 7^th June 2017 from 10h30 to 19h30. All readers of Diplomats Magazine are invited to attend the I Polyphonic Day. For registration you only need to write an email to: inscripcionesiih@gmail.com by 2^nd June 2017. The I Polyphonic Day will be followed from 20h00 to 21h30 by a Hague Talks Session on Diversity and International Law organised by the Hague Programme on Peace and Justice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This Session will take place in The Humanity House located at Prinsengracht 8 from.

————– For more information in general the contact email is: inscripcionesiih@gmail.com . News and update about the IIH and all events of the VII Ibero-American Week of International justice may be found on: IIH Web Site: http://www.iberoamericaninstituteofthehague.org/ IIH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012360003751 IIH Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstitutoIIH IIH Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQniR5puGjKYrTPN2wRygyQ See also the web site of the Hague University for Applied Sciences at: www.the hagueuniversity.com