On the picture H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda. By Anton Lutter.
For the second time the knights of the Order of Rizal participated at Rizal Day commemoration at The Philippines embassy december the 29th.
Thanks to ambassador H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda the commemoration was again a success. He himself held an excellent presentation about Dr. Jose Rizal, the National Hero’s connection with The Netherlands and urged for more research on this topic. His theme was well chosen considering the fact that The Netherlands and The Phillipines enjoy 65 years of diplomatic relations and 150 years of consulair relations.
On behalf of the Knights of Rizal the chapter commander of The Hague Chapter Sir Anton Lutter, KCR thanked ambassador Ledda for his hospitality and strong support of OKOR in The Netherlands. Sir Anton conveyed the good wish message from the European Regional Commander Sir Antonio Guansing, KGOR to the ambassador and the attendants.
Prof.Mr. Olaf baron van Boetzelaer.
The keynote speach of Rizalday was delivered by Professor Sir Olaf baron van Boetzelaer, KR and titled Dr Jose Rizal in retrospective as inpirator for ASEAN, inspired by the fact that The Philippines is chairing ASEAN in 2017. Some quotes:
“Can reflection on Dr. Rizal in retrospective, be inspiring with regards to ASEAN’s future? Indeed the past is sometimes the key to the future. In Dr. Rizal’s perception central is his aspiration for the freedom of the person, his concern for the person’s dignity and his analienable rights. And it is here also fits in exactly the message of the Philippine diplomacy, mentioning “a people and oriented and centered ASEAN”. So as the Philippine diplomacy on the eve of his chairmanship proclaims: “peace and stability in the region” it is also in line with the spirit of Rizal, wishing that for his countrymen. Let us hope that the “Declaration of Conduct concerning the South China Sea “ by ASEAN, leads to appropriate attitudes and behavior of the concerned sea faring nations.The Philippines aspires for ASEAN to develop a model of regionalism, even a role of global player. In Dr. Rizal’s perception , the Philippines were also of course part of the global family of nations. A fitting conception for the “homo universalis”, a patriot and at the same time being open to the world.”
Haitian President-elect Jovenel Moise, candidate of the political party founded by former President Michel Martelly, the Haitian Tèt Kale Party (PHTK) held a press conference after the announcement of his victory in Petion-Ville, Haiti, on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.
Moise, a businessman from northern Haiti who has never held political office, was certified as the official winner of the November presidential election Tuesday following a ruling by an electoral tribunal that found no evidence of large-scale voter fraud.
2 December 2016, Amsterdam: Heddy Honigmann, a prestigious Dutch-Peruvian documentary director was bestowed the “Silver Carnation” in 2016 by the Prince Bernhard Cultural Funds. Behind the decision, the jury praised Honigmann for “the exceptional way in which she conducts interviews, and for the loving way in which she depicts the strengths, joys and the vulnerabilities of people from all walks of life“. Heddy Honingmann received the carnation from HM Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. The prestigious Zilveren Anjer (Silver Carnation) Awards annually recognize individuals who have made extraordinary, voluntary contributions to Dutch cultural life and the environment.The award itself is accompanied by a pecuniary sum of 75,000 EUR. In addition to it, the laureate receives a “cultural fund” with an initial capital of 75,000 EUR; he/she decides the aims and name for the fund. The Cultuurfonds were set up in London in 1940 by the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, maternal grandfather to incumbent King Willem Alexander and spouse to Queen Juliana. There were meant to purchase war material for the British and Dutch governments. They continued after the war as “Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds”, aimed at rebuilding cultural life in war-torn The Netherlands. Headquartered on the Herengracht canal in Amsterdam, the foundation has 12 local branches, one in each of the Dutch provinces. Furthermore there is a separate Distribution Committee for projects in Aruba, Curaςao, St. Maarten and Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba.Each year over 3,500 cultural, nature an scientific projects are supported. These include town bands, the restoration of historic buildings and ships, dance performances, the preservation of unique cityscapes and landscapes, and scholarships for young artists and scholars to study abroad.For further information:http://www.cultuurfonds.nl/projecten/onderscheidingen-en-prijzen/prins-bernhard-cultuurfonds-prijshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heddy_Honigmann
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Photography by Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.
On 3 January 2017, Trial Chamber VI of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”), in the case of The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda, found that it has jurisdiction over counts 6 and 9 (alleged war crimes of rape and sexual slavery of child soldiers) and rejected the Defence’s challenge thereto.
This decision relates only to the Chamber’s authority to adjudicate the alleged conduct. The decision is without prejudice to the guilt or innocence of the accused which will be determined only at the end of the trial.
The Defence argued that Counts 6 and 9 do not fall within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Court considering that, according to Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, war crimes may not be committed by members of an armed force against members of the same armed force. Trial Chamber VI had initially ruled that the Defence’s challenge did not constitute a jurisdictional matter and that it would address this question in the judgment. However, the Appeals Chamber decided that the challenge was jurisdictional in nature and remanded the matter back to Trial Chamber VI, which allowed the parties to make updated submissions.
After examining the Defence’s submissions, as well as those of the Prosecutor and the Legal Representative of victims, ICC Trial Chamber VI found that limiting the scope of protection in the manner proposed by the Defence is contrary to the rationale of international humanitarian law, which aims to mitigate the suffering resulting from armed conflict.
The Chamber further found that members of the same armed force are not as such excluded as potential victims of the war crimes of rape and sexual slavery, whether as a result of the way these crimes have been incorporated in the Rome Statute, or on the basis of the framework of international humanitarian law, or international law more generally. The Chamber concluded that “there is never a justification to engage in sexual violence against any person” and that “such conduct [rape and sexual slavery] is prohibited at all times, both in times of peace and during armed conflicts, and against all persons, irrespective of any legal status”.
Therefore, the Chamber decided that it has jurisdiction over the alleged conduct described in Counts 6 and 9 of the charges without prejudice to whether such acts have taken place or to the accused’s presumption of innocence.
Sir Tim Barrow – Picture by mil.ru.
London, 4 January 2017: Her Britannic Majesty’s Government has appointed Sir Timothy (Tim) Barrow as British Permanent Representative to the EU after the resignation on 3 January 2017 of Sir Ivan Rogers, in office since 4 November 2013.
Ambassador Barrow is a career diplomat who held his last ambassadorship in the Russian Federation. Previously worked at the UK’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels tasked at the Political and Security Committee of the EU from 2008 to 2011. His earlier EU experience includes spells as an Assistant Director in the Europe Directorate and a First Secretary in UKRep.
For further information:https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/uk-representation-to-the-euhttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/sir-tim-barrow-appointed-as-uk-permanent-representative-to-the-eu
Arusha, The Hague, 4 January 2017- The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (“MICT”) yesterday launched an updated and improved version of its website, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote greater accessibility and transparency of information. Following a reorganization, the website has a new, modernized structure that allows for easy and intuitive navigation and streamlined access to information about the Mechanism’s mandate, functions, and activities. The revamped website also features a range of new content, including additional information on the functions page and in the fugitives’ section as well as newly designed case timelines marking key developments in selected cases.
In updating the website, the Mechanism focused on the importance of making information available to audiences in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia by increasing the content available in Kinyarwanda and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (“BCS”), along with the Mechanism’s working languages of English and French. In addition, the website uses state-of–the-art technology that ensures its full availability on any mobile device.
The Mechanism will continue to enhance access to information for its ever-growing and diverse audiences by maintaining and regularly updating the website as well as adding a broad range of new content in the future. Information:Mechanism’s website
On the picture violinist Nadine Galea and harpist Cecilia Sultana De Maria.By Djoeke Altena.
His Excellency Joseph Cole, Ambassador of Malta and his spouse Bernardina Cole invited fellow diplomats, officials, members of the Maltese community in the Netherlands and other honourable guests to a duo concert and a reception on 9 December 2016.
After a short introduction by Ambassador Cole, the Duo Concert started. The performing artist were the talented violinist Nadine Galea and harpist Cecilia Sultana De Maria. Both musicians are graduates of the Royal College of Music in London, and have performed all over Europe.
During the concert the artists played music from several European composers such as J.S. Back, C. Saint-Saëns and B. Bartók and works of Maltese composers. Most of played pieces were not originally written for a violin and harp combination, but Sultana de Maria and Galea made it sound like the compositions were written for the violin and harp combination.
After the concert the Ambassador invited the guest for a reception, where diplomats, officials and members of the Dutch-Maltese community were are able to meet, while enjoying food and drinks.
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Photography the Embassy of Malta in The Hague.
On the picture HE Ambassador Abu Sufian Haji Ali. By Henri Estramant.State of Brunei Darussalam to the Benelux countries, the EU, the OPCW , Hungary, Sweden and Denmark: HE Ambassador Abu Sufian Haji Ali was accredited on 27 October 2016 at the Royal Palace in Brussels before HM The King of the Belgians.
Previous to this ambassadorship, Abu Sufian was Deputy Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development) at the Ministry of Defence of Brunei. http://bruneiembassy.be/renew.htmlHE Ambassador Arlette Conzemius (Luxembourg to Belgium and NATO).Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Kingdom of Belgium and NATO: HE Ambassador Arlette Conzemius was accredited before the cousin of her country’s head of state, HM King Philippus of the Belgians, on 27 October 2016.
She was previously bilateral ambassador to Turkey with co-accreditations to the NATO institutions in that country.
http://bruxelles.mae.lu/frHE Ambassador Gregory (Greg) Andrews (New Zealand to Belgium, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania, Deputy Head of Mission to the Delegation to the EU).Realm of New Zealand to Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania and Bulgaria: HE Ambassador Greg Andrews presented credentials to Belgium on 27 October 2016.
Greg Andrews served previously as diplomat at the diplomatic mission in London and Moscow but this is his first ambassadorial position. Ambassador Andrews also deputises at the New Zealand Delegation to the EU. http://www.nzembassy.com/belgiumHE Ambassador Shahdat Hossain (Bangladesh to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU).People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg: HE Ambassador Shahdat Hossain held prior an ambassadorship to Italy and to FAO.
http://www.mofa.gov.bd/media/government-has-decided-appoint-md-shahdat-hossain-currently-serving-bangladesh’s-ambassadorhttp://www.bangladeshembassy.beHE Ambassador José Filomeno de Carvalho Dias Monteiro (Cabo Verde to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg and the ACP Group of States).Republic of Cabo Verde to the EU, the ACP Group, Belgium and Luxembourg: HE Ambassador José Filomeno de Carvalho Dias Monteiro accredited to Belgium on 27 October 2016. Before this first ambassadorial position, he was a MP for the island of Santiago in Cabo Verde, however, he has served in the diplomatic service before.
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Photography by the Belgian Monarchy/Royal Palace Brussels Office
The celebrations for the 53th Independence Day of Kenya, also called Jamhuri Day, took place on the 9th of December at the Hilton Hotel in The Hague.
Since 1964 the celebrations of independence from British colonial rule count to the most important festivities in Kenya.
For additional Hester Dijkstra’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157678690980405Ambassador Murichi welcome H.E. Ms. Rahma Salih Elobied, Ambassador of the Sudan. Behind H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda, Ambassador of the Philippines.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Rose Makena Murichi, invited diplomats, businesses as well as all Kenyans in the Netherlands to celebrate this special day together.
The reception room was decorated beautifully with many Kenyan flowers as well as flags and a video showing Kenya’s beautiful landscape.
H.E. . Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and H.E. Rose Makena Murichi.
The festivities commenced with the Kenyan national anthem followed by a speech of H.E Rose Makena Murichi. In her speech she mentioned Kenya’s increasing importance in the world economy as well as rising FDI. She stated that “Kenya’s ranking in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’ Indicators moved from 108 in 2015 globally to 92th in this year ”.
Additionally, she highlighted the trade relations between the Netherlands and Kenya, which are focused on less aid and more trade by 2020. Furthermore, the Ambassador highlighted the nomination of the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr Amina C. Mohamedby the president of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Dr Amina Mohamed is an extraordinary African diplomat whose vision for the African Union is founded on the African continent’s blue print for socio-economic transformation.
In conclusion she thanked her staff for all the help in creating this “flower power event” and Anne Parkimain for preparing the food, which provided an overview of Kenyan cuisine. Following this speech, guests could enjoy refreshments, Kenyan coffee as well as incredible Kenyan food.
The Ambassador of Kenya together with H.E. Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa.
Among the guests in attendance were several Ambassadors accredited to the Netherlans, Judges from the various International Institutions, Senior Government officials and top Dutch business organisations.
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr. Per Holmström, Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Jonghyun Choe, South Korea, H.E. Alvaro Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr. Taher Farahat, Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Haifa AisamiMadah, Ambassador of Venezuela to International Organizations, H.E. Mr. IGusti Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo, H.E. Jaime Vicotr Ledda, Ambassador of the Philippines, H.E. Ms. Rahma Salih Elobied, Ambassador of the Sudan, H.E. Ms. Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi, H.E. Petar Vico, Ambassador of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran, H. E Mr. Nourredine Ayadi, Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Ahmad Al Mufleh, Ambassador of Jordan, H.E. Mr. Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh were amongst the distinguished guests.
In the end, all guests were given a wonderful bouquet of Kenyan roses from Sian Roses, a top Kenyan Flower Company as well as various Kenyan handicraft souvenirs.
By Henri Estramant.Kingdom of Morocco to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: HE Ambassador Mohammed Ameur was accredited on 7 December 2016 at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Previously he held the post of “Minister-Delegate for the Moroccans Living Abroad” in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi (2007-11). https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_AmeurHE Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa.Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to the Benelux, the EU and the OPCW: HE Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa presented credentials on Wednesday, 7 December 2016 to HM The King of the Belgians. Before this ambassadorship he was Director General at the Department of Passport under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. http://www.nepalembassybrussels.beHE Ambassador Colin Connelly.Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the Benelux countries, the EU, the OPCW, the ACP Group, the French Republic, the Holy See and Switzerland: HE Ambassador Colin Connelly first ambassadorship(s) have taken him to Brussels. Previously he held the rank of Counsellor and Chargé d’affaires at the Mission of Trinidad and Tobago to the USA. HE Ambassador Jacqueline Zaba Nikiema.Burkina Faso to the Benelux countries, the EU: HE Ambassador Jacqueline Zaba Nikiema was accredited to Belgium on 7 December 2016. http://www.ambassadeduburkina.beHE Ambassador José Alberto Briz Gutiérrez.Republic of Guatemala to Belgium and Luxembourg, and the EU: HE Ambassador José Alberto Briz Gutiérrez has been accredited to Belgium on 7 December and to the EU on 5 December 2016. Before this ambassadorship in Brussels he held the office of Director General of International, Multilateral and Economic Relations at the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry. Photography by the Belgian Royal Household.
After the concert the Ambassador invited the guest for a reception, where diplomats, officials and members of the Dutch-Maltese community were are able to meet, while enjoying food and drinks.
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Photography the Embassy of Malta in The Hague. 
Additionally, she highlighted the trade relations between the Netherlands and Kenya, which are focused on less aid and more trade by 2020. Furthermore, the Ambassador highlighted the nomination of the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr Amina C. Mohamed by the president of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Dr Amina Mohamed is an extraordinary African diplomat whose vision for the African Union is founded on the African continent’s blue print for socio-economic transformation.
In conclusion she thanked her staff for all the help in creating this “flower power event” and Anne Parkimain for preparing the food, which provided an overview of Kenyan cuisine. Following this speech, guests could enjoy refreshments, Kenyan coffee as well as incredible Kenyan food.
